Relative values ensure W&M Thompson’s loyalty to Mercedes-Benz
Paul Thompson adhered to a family tradition dating back more than 40 years when he purchased his latest Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor unit from Ciceley Commercials.
Paul is a Partner in W&M Thompson, the Lancashire-based transport firm founded by his parents William and Margaret, who bought their first truck from the same Dealer in 1974.
That vehicle, a 1418 tractor unit from the LP range, was one of the first sold by Ciceley Commercials, which was awarded its Mercedes-Benz franchise shortly after the manufacturer opened for business in the UK. W&M Thompson has remained a loyal customer to this day.
The latest arrival is an Actros 2551 with range-topping GigaSpace cab, 375 kW (510 hp) 12.8-litre engine, and personalised registration plate. It has joined a fleet of 20 trucks, the majority of which wear the famous three-pointed star.
“We’ve stayed with Mercedes-Benz and Ciceley Commercials for two simple reasons,” said Paul. “The product has always been excellent and the service we receive from the Dealer is first class.
Paul Thompson“The Actros is also superbly reliable. We’ve been running vehicles from the latest generation for four years now and I don’t think I’ve spent anything on them."
“As a total package, the Actros has it all,” he continued. “It’s competitively priced and offers great value for money thanks to its high level of standard specification, to which we add chrome grilles and lightbars to ensure that our vehicles really stand out.
“Many of our vehicles are travelling into London and making multiple drops on a daily basis. The Mercedes-Benz truck’s fuel economy is great, while our drivers rate it very highly too.”
W&M Thompson runs its own workshop but, like all new Actros tractors, its latest truck came with two years’ free repair and maintenance cover, under which inspections and services are being carried out at Ciceley Commercials’ Blackburn branch.
“The Dealer has always looked after us really well,” said Paul. “The attitude of its team impresses me because they could easily get complacent about such a long-standing customer. That never happens though – they can’t do enough for us.
“Sales executive Anthony Cunningham handles our orders very professionally and we have a great relationship with Service Manager Steve Hall, who has been looking after us pretty much since my dad started the business.”
William Thompson has since passed away but Margaret, now aged 83, still takes an active interest. “She keeps me on my toes,” laughed Paul, whose sister Sandra is also a Partner at the company headquarters in Rufford, near Ormskirk.
W&M Thompson’s 20 tractors and 40 trailers undertake a range of transport duties for customers in the food industry, moving palletised loads, bulk flour and grain, between production plants, distribution centres and wholesalers across the UK.
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🎃 Spooky Fun for a Great Cause! 👻
Our teams across all Ciceley sites got into the Halloween spirit today with fancy dress and a spooky bake sale, all in support of our charity partner — @eastlancshospice 🧁🕸️
From frightfully good costumes to deliciously creepy cakes, it’s been a brilliant day of laughs, creativity and fundraising for an amazing cause that’s close to our hearts. ❤️
A huge thank you to everyone who dressed up, baked, donated and joined in — your support makes a real difference! 🙌
If anyone would like to donate to this very worthy cause, please do so via the Just Giving link below.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/ciceley-elh?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL
Great feedback for our Blackburn Service Team!⭐️
A huge thank you to the customer for their fantastic feedback, you can read more of our testimonials here: https://www.ciceley.com/testimonials/
The Mercedes-Benz diesel van range is built to keep your business moving. From the compact Citan to the versatile Vito and award-winning Sprinter, we’ve got the perfect van for every job.
🔥 Exclusive offers available now:
✅ Citan from £185* per month
✅ Vito from £395* + VAT per month
✅ Sprinter from £609* + VAT per month
✅ Up to 30 years’ Roadside Assistance with MobiloVan
Don’t miss out — these deals are only available while stocks last!
https://www.ciceley.com/ciceley-vans/offers/diesel-offers/
*Terms and conditions apply, please see our website for more information.
Exciting News!
We’re thrilled to announce that we’re expanding into Scotland with a brand-new Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus dealership at Eurocentral! 🙌
As a proud family-run business, we’ve spent over 50 years supporting operators with exceptional service, strong relationships, and continued investment in the future. This new site marks an exciting new chapter for us — bringing our people-first approach and trusted Mercedes-Benz expertise to a whole new region.
The Eurocentral dealership will feature:
🔧 12 workshop bays
🚛 Full sales, service & parts facilities for Mercedes-Benz trucks
🚌 Service and parts facilities for Mercedes-Benz buses
🧰 An Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) lane
👷 Around 40 new local jobs
Construction starts soon, with a temporary workshop opening mid-2026 and the full dealership launching autumn 2026.
Read the full story on our website.
🚛 Ciceley Commercials Joins the Actros L ProCabin Tour! 🚛
Yesterday we joined Mercedes-Benz Trucks at Route 74 Truckstop, Glasgow, for the Actros L ProCabin Tour — giving drivers the chance to step inside the next generation of comfort and innovation.
The Actros L ProCabin is more than just a truck – it’s a workspace, a rest space, and a tech hub on wheels.
✨ Here’s what makes it stand out:
🖥️ Digital Cockpit & MirrorCam for ultimate visibility
🪑 Ergonomic Design built for all-day comfort
🔋 Outstanding Efficiency that delivers every mile
We loved seeing everyone who stopped by to take a look inside, chat with the team, and experience the future of trucking first-hand.
Go further, cleaner, and quieter with the Mercedes-Benz electric van range. Whether it’s the eCitan, eVito, or eSprinter, enjoy zero-emission driving, impressive range, and fast charging times — all with premium Mercedes-Benz quality.
✅ The eCitan from £249* + VAT per month
✅ The eVito from £495* + VAT per month
✅ The eSprinter from £595* + VAT per month
Including:
4 FREE services
Up to 30 years’ Roadside Assistance with MobiloVan
8-year / 100,000-mile battery warranty
Switch to electric today and keep your business moving sustainably! See our website for more details.
*Terms and conditions apply, please see our website for more information.
🐝 From Hive to Jar! 🍯
Today we visited @eastlancshospice with our Beekeeper John to watch how he turns our MerceBEES hard work into delicious honey! 🌼
It was fantastic to share the experience with the hospice’s staff and patients, showing how the honeycomb is spun, sieved, and jarred to create the finished product.
This year, we’re proud to be selling our Ciceley honey with all profits donated to our charity partner, East Lancashire Hospice – supporting the incredible work they do every day. 💛
Our MerceBEES have been busy since we first introduced four hives and 320,000 bees to our Blackburn and Darwen sites as part of our ongoing sustainability journey. 🐝
🏁 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
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