GBA opts for tried and trusted Mercedes-Benz Sprinters
Proven reliability in a high-pressure application persuaded leading time-critical delivery specialist GBA Services to invest once again in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The Preston-based company runs a large fleet of Sprinters, supplied by Dealer Ciceley Commercials, the reigning Mercedes-Benz Van Retailer of the Year, 45 of which are new 316CDI Long models.
Established in 1987, GBA Services has continued to put its trust in the three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz. Its latest Sprinters wear a smart new vinyl wrap livery and replace a previous batch, which have been stood down. Managing Director David Birkbeck said: “When we started out we chose Mercedes-Benz vehicles because of their excellent reputation for robust reliability. They’ve proved to be every bit as tough and dependable as we’d hoped,taking high mileages in their stride.”
GBA Services’ new vehicles will frequently be assigned to urgent ‘line-stopper’ deliveries, which entail delivering consignments to factories as quickly as possible, soproduction lines do not grind to a halt. “When your customer has an entireassembly line waiting for your arrival, you can’t afford to send a vehicle that might break down on the way,” asserted Mr Birkbeck. “That’s why we put our trust in the Sprinter.”
David Birkbeck“We’ve also built up a great relationship with the team at Ciceley Commercials, who undertake all our scheduled maintenance – we now consider them to be partners in our success.”
Mercedes-Benz Vans are also renowned as the safest on the road and come with a market-leading array of active and passive features as standard. GBA Services has enhanced the specification of its latest vehicles still further by choosing the optional Driving Assistance Package. This includes a suite of cutting-edge systems including:
> Collision Prevention Assist– which warns the driver if the vehicle is in danger of hitting an item in front and applies extra force if necessary during emergency stops;
> Lane Keeping Assist– which sounds an audible alert if the driver strays out of the lane;
> Blind Spot Assist– which shows a visible indicator in the driver’s side mirrors if another vehicle is alongside, and sounds an audible alert if the driver indicates while a vehicle is in the blind spot , and
> High Beam Assist– a radar-based system which scans the road ahead and switches between high and dipped beam headlights automatically, depending on traffic conditions.
“Van operators may not be subject to the same level of legislation as those in the heavy truck sector but I see no reason why we shouldn’t observe equally high standards when it comes to safety,” continued Mr Birkbeck. “We’re highly conscious of our duty of care not only to our own employees but also to other road users, so provide our staff with the very best equipment.”
Also standard with all Mercedes-Benz Vans, and welcomed by GBA Services, is the manufacturer’s MobiloVan emergency breakdown scheme, which provides comprehensive back-up cover throughout Europe.
“Our drivers cover most of the Continent and although our Sprinters have never let us down, the fact that Mercedes-Benz breakdown cover is never more than a single phone call away gives us complete peace of mind,” added Mr Birkbeck.
GBA Services has grown relentlessly since it opened for business from a single office in Preston. It is now one of the country’s leading time-critical delivery specialists, with a network of nine sites nationwide and vehicles running to and from Europe every day. These vehicles are fitted with sophisticated tracking, security and immobilisation devices which electronically seal and lock, and allow customers to track individual vehicles and consignments. Much of its work – just-in-time consignments and bulk deliveries – is undertaken for the automotive and aerospace sector: a typical run might entail delivering palletised auto parts to a car assembly plant, or a ‘panic’ item being rushed to a factory in the event of an unplanned production line stoppage. GBA Services also offers specialised transport of sensitive and high-value loads, whether by road or by air freight.
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🏁 On 5th September, our all-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 completed the 2025 EV Rally, driving from West Bromwich to Tatton Park, Cheshire ⚡🚛.
Along the way we:
☕ Recharged at Peak View Tea Rooms
🚚 Stopped at Sixt Van & Truck, Eccles
☀️ Showcased clean energy at Chamber House Solar Farm, Rochdale
🌳 And crossed the finish line at Tatton Park
Covering 248km fully loaded at 40t, the eActros 600 proved its range, efficiency, and cost savings – highlighting that zero-emission trucking isn’t the future, it’s here today. Get in touch with the team to put the eActros to the test
#evrally #explorer #collaboration #solarpower
✨ Another fantastic review for our Blackburn team! ✨
We’re proud to provide a service that makes things simple, stress-free and reliable for our customers.
Read more of our customer reviews here: https://www.ciceley.com/testimonials/
🍂 Autumn is here, and so are the chilly mornings!
Did you know that with the Mercedes-Benz app, you can pre-heat your electric Mercedes-Benz van before you even step outside?
✅ Warm and comfortable from the moment you get in
✅ Defrosted windows without scraping ice
All managed straight from your phone, giving you convenience and comfort whatever the weather.
❄️ A smart way to start your day as we head into winter.
⚽ Ciceley Takes on the Vantasy Football League! ⚽
Today, our Ciceley football team proudly represented us at the Mercedes-Benz Vantasy Football League at none other than St George’s Park – the home of England football!
Competing alongside eight teams made up of van drivers and Mercedes-Benz Van dealers from across the country, our squad battled hard and made it all the way to the semi-finals, finishing an impressive 3rd place overall! 🥉💪
The Vantasy Football initiative is about more than just football – it’s a fantastic campaign supporting mental health awareness for van drivers, many of whom work in isolating roles. We`re proud to support this important cause. 💙
A huge shout out to our amazing team:
Rob Claringbold, Gary Bridge, Jack Burgess, Matthew Coombe, Alex Lewis, Lee Holden, and Damian Holroyd – a brilliant mix from across our Sales, Service, IT, Accounts and Management teams.
Well played, team! 👏⚽
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/vans/vantasy-football.html
#VantasyFootball #MercedesBenzVans #MentalHealthAwareness #TeamCiceley #StGeorgesPark #VanLife #FootballForGood
🌍 Tomorrow we’ll be at GreenFleet LIVE! 2025 in Rochdale!
Come and see us to explore the latest in electric vans and sustainable fleet solutions — and chat with our team about how we can support your journey to net zero. ⚡🚛
We’re looking forward to meeting fleet, transport and sustainability professionals from across the UK. See you there!
#GreenFleetLIVE #ElectricVehicles #CleanFleet #NetZero #LCV #Sustainability #CiceleyCommercials
☀️ Our eActros 400 has been out and about in sunny Scotland yesterday, with driver training sessions led by Jordan Lowe and Richard.
Great to see more drivers getting behind the wheel and experiencing the future of fully electric transport first-hand! ⚡🚛
#eActros #ElectricTrucks #DrivingTheFuture #CiceleyCommercials
💬 More great feedback for our Carlisle team!
This is what we`re all about — great service and working to keep you moving.
👉 Book your next visit with our team by contacting them today
https://ow.ly/baCN50WXZVc
⭐ Excellent feedback for our Carlisle team! ⭐
We’re proud to support businesses in Carlisle and beyond, keeping vehicles on the road and running smoothly.
Get in touch with the team to book your vehicle in today.
https://ow.ly/eI1l50WXZPK
We were proud to play our part in powering Sam Fender’s People Watching Tour – the first live music tour in the UK & Ireland to run entirely on electric trucks ⚡🎶
When called upon to urgently mobilise an additional Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, our teams in Bolton Service, Sales Support, Accounts, and Digital Services Consultant worked flat out to register, prep and deliver the vehicle within hours – ensuring the tour stayed on schedule and made it across to Northern Ireland.
This was a landmark moment for sustainable entertainment logistics, and we’re delighted we could play a part in making it happen.
The Advantage event is here!
Pop in and see the team or book your appointment on our website. These fantastic offers are only available this week.
Come and visit us at Ciceley Commercials Ltd, Commercial Road, Darwen, BB3 0DB.
📸 Proud moment!
We’ve supplied CoolVan with their first Mercedes-Benz van — the beginning of something special.
CoolVan are experts in fridge & freezer conversions & like us, they believe in doing things properly. Together, we’ll be delivering outstanding refrigerated vehicles for customers who demand quality & sustainability.
Huge shout-out to everyone involved. More vans on the way!
Last week we were delighted to join Bardsleys Garage & Recovery in celebrating their incredible 60th anniversary 🎉.
Built on strong family values and decades of dedicated service to the Atherton community, this milestone is truly something to be proud of.
The day was filled with community spirit, from the charity raffle (where we were pleased to donate a branded jacket) to the exciting handover of two brand-new Mercedes-Benz Citan vans to support their growing operations.
A huge congratulations to the Bardsleys family on this remarkable journey—here’s to the next chapter of success and many more years at the heart of Atherton! 🚐✨
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