 Mercedes dealer Rossetts lands a winning double!
Staff at Mercedes-Benz truck and van dealer Rossetts Commercials are celebrating once again after winning the manufacturer’s most prestigious dealer award – for the second year running! Rossetts, which represents the famous three-pointed star in Surrey and Sussex, beat off the challenge of 21 fellow franchisees to retain its Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer of the Year title. The announcement was made at Mercedes-Benz (UK)’s annual dealer awards event, which was staged at its recently refurbished national used commercial vehicle sales and driver training centre at Wentworth Park, Barnsley. And it came just weeks after Rossetts Commercials was bought from previous owner Rossetts (Eastbourne) Ltd by Northern Ireland-based Inspired Business Investments Ltd.  The majority shareholder in the new company is Neil McKibbin, who is also Managing Director of Belfast dealership Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI), and of thriving truck and van hire specialist RentaMerc.
He stepped up to collect the coveted trophy from Wilfried Steffen and Ian Jones, respectively Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Commercial Vehicles, of Mercedes-Benz (UK). Neil was joined in Barnsley by senior members of the Rossetts Commercials management team, although his business partner Peter Lambert, Rossetts’ new Managing Director, could not be present. A delighted Peter declared afterwards: “This award is great news and confirms the underlying strength of the business in which we’ve invested. Rossetts has developed an impressive reputation for excellent customer care over recent years; it’s one that we’re determined to build upon as we move forward into a new era.” Rossetts Commercials sells and supports the entire Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle range, from the 2.7-tonne Vito van to the mighty Actros premium tractor unit – recent winner of the International Truck of the Year award – as well as the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter family of light trucks. The company employs some 160 people at its headquarters in Worthing, and other dealership sites in Aldershot, Crawley, Eastbourne and Guildford. Peter, who previously spent 10 years working for Mercedes-Benz UK’s Truck and Van divisions, most recently as Van Sales & Marketing Director, insisted: “Every one of our employees has played a part in bringing this important award back to the south-east.  “We have some superb facilities within this business but there is no doubt that our single biggest asset is our people, all of whom appreciate the absolute importance of focusing on the needs of customers.”
Ian Jones added: “Once again, Rossetts Commercials is a worthy winner of our Dealer of the Year award, after recording another outstanding performance across every part of its operation in 2008. “This feat was only achieved through a fantastic effort by a very strong all-round team, which owed much to the leadership of previous owners Robert Maxwell and Eddi Zoratti. “I am delighted that in their successors, Neil and Peter, we have two highly experienced commercial vehicle professionals who understand our products and values, and are committed to ensuring that Mercedes-Benz operators in Surrey and Sussex continue to receive a level of service that befits the three-pointed star.” | 
Surrey and Sussex Mercedes-Benz truck and van specialist Rossetts Commercials has carried off the manufacturer’s most coveted award for dealers.
Among those leading the applause were Rossetts Sales Director Brian Phippen and Group Service Managers Perry Reeves and Steve Wright, who were also at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart for the awards evening.
facilities in recent years.