ABOUT US
We are a dedicated multi-disciplinary team managing product and vendor sourcing, OEM product development, quality control and logistics.
COMPANY HISTORY
In 1993, Michael Witthoft founded Five Star Enterprises in Hong Kong with the ethos of being the "boots on the ground" for startups and small to mid-sized companies in the housewares industry. Our primary goal is to drive out inefficiency, provide smart options and execute instructions quickly and decisively.
Today, after almost 30 years we have an proven track record of building long-term relationships with our clients and network of 300+ vendors. Our dedicated multi-disciplinary team manages projects for clients from North and South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
OUR REACH
With 19 staff members in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Yangjiang as well as Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, we are positioned to service our client's merchandising, sourcing, inspection and shipping needs. FSE also have a sales office location in WA, USA to better serve our major clients.
Our manufacturing partners and trade organizations are all certified for social accountability and their locations span from USA and Mexico to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea with our largest vendor base in China. Our broad database of factory resources ensure we are able to source the right products for you at the desired specifications.
MEET OUR TEAM
Michael Witthoft, Managing Director
Since 1983, Michael has worked in the housewares industry applying his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering to hundreds of housewares industry products for companies such as Hamilton Beach and Proctor Silex before forming his own company - FSE in 1993.
In 1990, Michael managed the Hong Kong and China office of the newly merged company Hamilton Beach/Proctor Silex. From there in 1993, Michael saw a need in the housewares industry for companies to work with a reliable company to represent them to provide design assistance, sourcing, quality, logistics in an accountable and transparent way and thus founded Five Star Enterprises Limited.
Alvina Lam, Operations Director
Alvina joined FSE in 2005 and is responsible for driving and implementing growth strategies, achieving revenue growth budgets and overseeing cost controls, managing personnel and office operations as well as implementing processes and procedures for all FSE departments.
Prior to joining FSE, she worked at a leading French electronic connector manufacturer for 16 years. During this time she built expertise in full process of sales and operations. In 2000, Alvina played an important role in setting up a global supply chain system for over 70 offices, manufacturing sites and distribution centers across three continents; Asia, America and Europe.
Ricky Tai, Quality Assurance Manager
Ricky has two decades of quality control and assurance experience, starting his career at Izumi between 1996 - 2000 and at DeLonghi between 2001 - 2006 before joining FSE in 2006.
Ricky's areas of expertise are in personal care products, electrical kitchen appliances and has expertise in ISO quality management systems, quality tools and international safety standards.
As a ISO9000 qualified auditor, Ricky manages our Quality Assurance and Quality Control team of qualified auditors who stay on top of retailers’ new factory compliance requirements including; ethical environmental, social, good manufacturing practices, quality systems, supply chain security, etc.
Samantha Chu, Senior Accounts Manager
Samantha has 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry with expertise in customer and vendor management, product development and engineering, materials, and manufacturing processes knowledge.
Prior to joining FSE, Samantha worked for a toy manufacturer handling project development, sourcing, product engineering, and packaging solutions. She joined FSE in 2002 and is FSE's Senior Accounts Manager managing a team of seven merchandisers in our Hong Kong and Shenzhen offices handling hundreds of sourcing and new product development projects from concept to manufacturing per year.
Anna Witthoft Rueger, Sales and Marketing Manager
Anna joined FSE in 2014 and has 8 years of marketing experience related to the housewares industry in the USA and Hong Kong.
Prior to joining FSE, Anna worked for a consumer ice machine company handling marketing programs and initiatives in the USA. Since joining FSE, Anna has handled product development, sourcing, and customer and vendor management.
Anna's areas of expertise include; managing new business accounts such as startups, marketing and product development.
