Northside Truck & Van reclaims Mercedes-Benz dealer of the year title

Northside Truck & Van has won Mercedes-Benz's truck dealer of the year title for the second time in three years.

Recently promoted managing director Ben Sowersby bowed out from his previous role of truck sales director by claiming the trophy for truck sales managers, and group marketing manager Tom Ward collected the truck marketing team of the year award.

Meanwhile, Northside was a runner-up in the the truck sales dealer of the year category, 2016 winner Tony Birtwistle just missed out this time on the top award for individual truck sales executives, and colleagues Chris Dyer and Nigel Hill were honoured for their personal achievements.

Underlining the company’s strength across the board, group aftersales director Russ Hallowes and his team also made the final three in the category for truck customer service and parts dealer of the year.

Northside, which employs a team of some 460 people across its seven branches, is responsible for sales and support of the Mercedes-Benz and FUSO Canter light truck ranges.

The company’s latest Mercedes-Benz Trucks triumph comes a matter of weeks after it won Mercedes-Benz Vans’ retailer of the year title for the second time running.

Mike Belk, Mercedes-Benz Trucks managing director, said: “Northside’s ethos of customer care and commitment starts at the top and runs through every level of the company.

"It is this which sets it apart, and makes it such a fantastic ambassador for the Mercedes-Benz Trucks brand.

“Not only do Ben and his team consistently exceed our targets in terms of vehicle sales and after sales performance, but our ongoing customer research confirms they also deliver an outstanding quality of service."

Northside is the UK’s biggest-selling Mercedes-Benz Trucks Dealer – it registered 1,261 new vehicles with gross weights of 7.5 tonnes or above in 2016, as well as 211 used models.

Northside’s Service 24hr emergency assistance technicians attended more than 2,000 truck breakdowns last year, averaging 56 minutes to reach the scene and in 84% of cases fixing the vehicle at the roadside before sending the driver on their way.

Sowersby said: “Northside has grown out of all recognition over the past 17 years.

“We’re now a £236-million turnover business but there remains huge potential for further growth.

"Key to the achievement of our ambitious targets will be having the right people, in the right places, at the right times.”

The full list of award winners was as follows:

Truck dealer of the year – Northside Truck & Van

Truck customer service & parts dealer of the year – Caledonian Truck & Van

Truck sales dealer of the year – Sparshatts Truck & Van

Truck sales manager of the year – Ben Sowersby, Northside Truck & Van

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services truck team of the year – Caledonian Truck & Van

Truck sales administration team of the year – Mertrux Truck & Van

Truck marketing team of the year – Northside Truck & Van

Used truck sales manager of the year – Roy Simpson, Rygor Commercials