Ciceley Commercials scored a fantastic hat-trick in the annual awards presented by Mercedes-Benz UK to members of its franchised truck and van dealer network.
The manufacturer's official agent for Lancashire, Cumbria and the south-west of Scotland took the top trophy for Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer of the Year, as well as those for Van Dealer and After Sales Dealer of the Year.
Ciceley Commercials Dealer Principal Mike Lewis declared: "We're one of 19 full-service Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealers in Britain, and a further four who specialise in vans, so to win three of the five award categories is a phenomenal achievement."
These latest additions to the company's already-groaning trophy cabinet underline its status as one of the country's top truck and van specialists. It is Ciceley Commercials' second Mercedes-Benz Dealer of the Year triumph in just three years, while Mike and his team also beat off a challenge from representatives of other commercial vehicle brands to win the prestigious Motor Transport Dealer of the Year title in 2010.
The Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer of the Year awards for 2012 were presented at a ceremony last week (7th February) at the Luton Hoo hotel and spa in Bedfordshire, where the guest of honour was recently-retired Army bomb disposal hero Major Chris Hunter.
Mike Lewis stepped up to collect the Dealer of the Year and Van Dealer of the Year trophies from, respectively, MBUK Commercial Vehicles Managing Director Michael Kamper, and Van Sales & Marketing Director Steve Bridge.
MBUK Director of Commercial Vehicle Customer Services Ian Dutfield presented the After Sales award to Ciceley Commercials' Group After Sales Manager Richie Eburne and Blackburn Service Manager Steve Hall, who last year celebrated 40 years with the company.
A jubilant Mike was quick to pay tribute to every member of the 200-strong company team for the parts they had played in its latest successes.
"At Ciceley Commercials we always aim to exceed our customers' expectations, as well as those of our own colleagues," he said. "Every single member of the Ciceley team believes in this ethos and works together towards one goal: providing the best possible service for all our customers.
"We may have 200 members of staff but we're still a family-owned business and maintain a friendly approach to all our customers - we want them to think of us as part of their own team. But working with operators and developing partnerships we've built a genuine appreciation of their requirements, without which we could not achieved any of our successes.
"And of course, like every Mercedes-Benz dealer we're fortunate to be working with the transport industry's finest, most comprehensive product line-up - from the recently launched Citan small van to the impressive New Actros, as well as the Fuso Canter light truck range.
In addition to a state-of-the-art dealership at junction 4 of the M65, on the outskirts of Blackburn, Ciceley Commercials also has branches in Bolton, Carlisle and Dumfries.