EAST Anglia-based commercial vehicle dealer Orwell Truck & Van is celebrating a double success at the Mercedes-Benz UK annual awards event.

In the face of stiff competition from 20 other dealers nationwide, the Martlesham Heath-based company picked up the After Sales Dealer of the Year award and the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Best Performing Dealer of the Year title. It was also a runner-up in three of the other five categories.

The trophies were presented by guest of honour Sean Fitzpatrick, the legendary former captain of the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Union team, at a ceremony held in Gaggenau, Germany, home of the famous Mercedes-Benz Unimog all-terrain truck.

David Grant, managing director of Orwell Truck & Van, said: “To be nominated for no fewer than five of the seven awards, and win two of them, was a fantastic achievement.

“Staff at all levels of this company are passionate about delivering exceptional value for money and exceeding our customers’ expectations at every opportunity, and this commitment is clearly reflected in our Dealer of the Year successes.”

Orwell is responsible for sales and support of the German manufacturer’s award-winning truck and van ranges, as well as the popular Fuso Canter light trucks.

In addition to Ipswich it has facilities in Norwich, Colchester and Newmarket, and employs a total workforce of around 190, comprising sales executives, factory-trained technicians, parts specialists, and administrative and support staff.

Despite challenging economic conditions the dealer posted a record sales performance in 2011 by registering no fewer than 1,279 new vehicles, beat its previous best tally which dated back to 2004. Customers ranged from major fleet operators to one-man operations and around 70% of these vehicles were supplied with some form of Mercedes-Benz finance contract.

Having concentrated in recent years on its other locations, the company’s focus during 2011 was on its headquarters at Martlesham Heath, near Ipswich, where it has spent almost �1million on a comprehensive refurbishment and the establishment of an Authorised Test Facility (ATF), in which vehicle MoTs are now being carried out.

Ian Dutfield, Mercedes-Benz UK’s director of commercial vehicle customer services, said: “Orwell’s success in winning our After Sales Dealer of the Year award owes everything to its long-term commitment to its customers and to the Mercedes-Benz brand.

“These achievements are not down to luck. Rather, from a platform of financial strength the Orwell team have put in an enormous amount of hard work to ensure that they deliver a standard of service which is consistently excellent across all of the company’s locations, and all aspects of the after sales operation.”