DON-BUR SERVICE LIMITED

What DON-BUR SERVICE LIMITED does

Don-Bur (Bodies & Trailers) Limited, operating as Don-Bur, is a UK-based, family-owned designer and manufacturer of commercial vehicle trailers and rigid bodywork, headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent. Founded in 1960 by Don Burton and now led by his son Dave Burton as Managing Director, the company employs approximately 550 staff across multiple manufacturing depots in Stoke-on-Trent (Mossfield Road, Clarence Road and Boothen Road). Its product range includes curtainsider trailers, box van trailers, aerodynamic teardrop trailers, longer semi-trailers (LST), fixed double deck, ratchet deck and lifting deck trailers, plus rigid curtainsider and box van bodies, drawbar trailers, and swap body and demount systems. Differentiated engineering IP includes the company's pioneering role in lifting deck trailer technology (introduced in the late 1980s), its proprietary 7.5mm Blade composite side panel, and a patented LowGlide Safe Ground Coupling system that allows side-coupling without catwalk access.

Don-Bur serves commercial fleet operators across the UK on a direct, enterprise field-sales basis, with named customers including Amazon, DHL, DPD, Royal Mail, GXO, John Lewis, Sainsbury's, Asda, TK Maxx, B&M, Screwfix, B&Q, Jet2.com, Next, Dunelm, Poundland, Whistl, Jackson's Bakeries and Allied Bakeries. The business model is anchored in capital-equipment hardware sales (new trailer and bodywork manufacture) complemented by an aftermarket layer comprising a parts catalogue (lifting deck, electrical, braking, body components), a service and refurbishment operation, a finance referral arrangement with independent third-party providers, and a used vehicle resale channel. Two wholly-owned subsidiaries — Sapphire Curtains and Sapphire Graphics — supply curtain systems and vehicle livery, with Sapphire Graphics having invested £700,000 in automated strapping and large-format UV printing capacity.

Revenue mechanics are quote-based for new equipment and price-listed for used vehicles and parts; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing is engineering-led, combining content resources (axle load, payload, fuel/CO2 calculators, trailer configurator) with LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube presence, attendance at industry events such as the Road Transport Expo, and customer testimonials from named enterprise accounts. The company has invested in sustainability — £300,000 in solar panels across three sites, a fall in Scope 2 electricity from 4,205,398 kWh to 3,479,479 kWh (2023–2024), and EcoVadis Bronze Medal status achieved in October 2025 — alongside voluntary EUDR alignment, reflecting a deliberate ESG positioning aimed at enterprise and public-sector procurement eligibility.

Name

DON-BUR SERVICE LIMITED

Legal name

Don-Bur (Bodies & Trailers) Limited

Website

https://donbur.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Don-Bur is a UK-based, family-owned designer and manufacturer of commercial vehicle trailers and rigid bodywork serving enterprise fleet operators with engineered solutions, proprietary lifting-deck and coupling technology, and integrated after-sales, parts and refurbishment services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Vehicle Trailers and Rigid Bodywork

NAICS

Truck Trailer Manufacturing (336212), Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing (336211)

SIC

Truck Trailers (3715), Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck Trailer Manufacturing (Dry Van/Reefer/Flatbed/Tanker) (IMACABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Truck Body & Upfit Manufacturing (Box/Dump/Service/Refuse) (IMACAGAC)

Keywords

• Commercial vehicle trailers
• Rigid bodywork manufacturing
• Double deck trailers
• Lifting deck technology
• Fleet operator solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. New Trailer Manufacturing: Design, engineering and manufacture of commercial vehicle trailers including double deck trailers, lifting deck trailers, aerodynamic teardrop trailers, curtainsider trailers, box van trailers, and longer semi-trailers (LST). Products sold as capital equipment to fleet operators.
2. Rigid Bodywork: Design and manufacture of rigid curtainsider bodies, rigid box van bodies, drawbar trailers, and swap bodies & demount systems for commercial vehicles.
3. Parts & Components: Comprehensive parts catalogue including lifting deck parts, electrical components, braking system parts, and body components for maintenance, repair and refurbishment.
4. Service & Refurbishment: Servicing, repairs, refurbishment, MOT preparation and lifecycle upgrades through dedicated service teams with direct knowledge of Don-Bur equipment.
5. Commercial Vehicle Finance: Don-Bur acts as introducer to independent third-party finance providers for commercial vehicle funding. Finance structures include operating lease, contract hire, hire purchase, and finance lease arrangements.
6. Used Vehicle Sales: Sale of used trailers and vehicles including various makes such as Cartwrights, Schmitz, Montracon, SDC, and Don-Bur products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Don-Bur designs, engineers and manufactures commercial vehicle trailers and rigid bodywork (curtainsider, box van, aerodynamic teardrop, longer semi-trailer, fixed double deck, ratchet deck, lifting deck trailers, plus rigid curtainsider/box van bodies, drawbar trailers and swap bodies) for UK commercial fleet operators. The company delivers these products as capital equipment together with proprietary features (Blade panels, LowGlide coupling, lifting deck systems) and full aftermarket support including parts, servicing, refurbishment, MOT preparation and end-of-life management.

Product overview

Don-Bur is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of commercial vehicle trailers and rigid bodywork. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products including curtainsider trailers, box van trailers, aerodynamic teardrop trailers, longer semi-trailers (LST), fixed double deck trailers, ratchet deck trailers, lifting deck trailers, rigid curtainsider bodies, rigid box van bodies, drawbar trailers, and swap bodies/demount systems. The product range is complemented by proprietary features like Blade panels (lightweight composite side panels) and LowGlide Safe Ground Coupling system. Don-Bur pioneered lifting deck trailer technology in the late 1980s and continues to lead in this area. The company also provides service, repair, refurbishment, and MOT preparation services, as well as selling used vehicles. Subsidiary brands include Sapphire Curtains and Sapphire Graphics for curtain manufacturing and vehicle livery services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sapphire Curtains: Curtain systems and components for commercial vehicles
• Sapphire Graphics

Products and services

• Curtainsider Trailers Trailers with collapsible side curtains enabling side-access loading and unloading, available in single and double deck configurations, sold to commercial fleet operators.
• Box Van Trailers Enclosed trailers with rigid side walls providing weather protection and cargo security, used by fleet operators for ambient and high-value freight.
• Aerodynamic Teardrop Trailers Aerodynamically shaped trailers designed to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency for long-haul fleet operations.
• Longer Semi-Trailers (LST) Extended-length semi-trailers that increase payload capacity within regulatory limits, used by fleets seeking higher volume per journey.
• Fixed Double Deck Trailers Trailers with two fixed loading levels that maximise payload capacity per journey for fleet operators handling palletised or dolly-based freight.
• Ratchet Deck Trailers Trailers with adjustable ratchet deck systems allowing flexible load positioning and securement for varied cargo profiles.
• Lifting Deck Trailers Trailers with hydraulically or mechanically operated lifting decks that raise and lower to enable loading of both deck levels from standard loading bays, a technology Don-Bur pioneered in the late 1980s.
• Rigid Curtainsider Bodies Fixed rigid bodywork with curtainsider design for rigid trucks, providing side-access loading with weather protection.
• Rigid Box Van Bodies Enclosed rigid bodywork for trucks with solid side walls for maximum cargo protection in distribution operations.
• Drawbar Trailers Trailers connected to towing vehicles via a drawbar coupling system, used to add capacity to rigid truck operations.
• Swap Bodies and Demount Systems Demountable bodywork systems allowing quick exchange of cargo containers on trucks to maximise vehicle utilisation.
• Service, Repair, Refurbishment and MOT Preparation Comprehensive aftermarket servicing, repairs, refurbishment, MOT preparation and lifecycle upgrades for trailers and bodywork, delivered by Don-Bur's own service teams with direct knowledge of the equipment.
• Used Trailers and Vehicles Sale of pre-owned trailers and rigid bodywork, including used Don-Bur products and other makes such as Cartwrights, Schmitz, Montracon and SDC.
• Lifting Deck Parts Replacement parts and components for maintaining and repairing lifting deck trailer systems, including hydraulic components, control elements, electrical parts and structural elements.
• Electrical Parts Electrical components for trailers and bodywork including lighting, connectors, wiring looms, control hardware, sensors and battery charging components.
• Alliance Automotive Lifting Deck Trailer Programme Engineered 13.6m Box Van Lifting Deck trailers for Alliance Automotive (NAPA Auto Parts) with Wedge chassis, 10 tonne lifting deck platform, Blade side panels and LowGlide coupling, carrying capacity for 120 dollies and 960 totes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120 dollies and 960 totes total capacity on Alliance Automotive trailers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sapphire CurtainsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExternal related company providing curtain manufacturing services. Listed as a related site alongside Sapphire Graphics. Separate website at sapphirecurtains.co.uk.
• Sapphire GraphicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExternal related company providing graphics and printing services for trailer livery. Listed as a related site alongside Sapphire Curtains. Separate website at sapphiregraphics.co.uk. Invested £700,000 in automated curtain strapping machine and new large format UV printer.
• EcoVadiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability rating partner. Don-Bur submits detailed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) information annually to EcoVadis for independent assessment and grading. Received Bronze Medal in October 2025. Supports Don-Bur's drive to improve sustainability practices year on year.
• EUDR-Compliant SupplierscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDon-Bur proactively aligns with European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) principles. Maintains comprehensive records demonstrating purchased components originate from EUDR-compliant sources. Engages with suppliers to confirm EUDR compliance and fosters transparency and traceability.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• JPM Trailers: Irish/UK trailer manufacturer producing curtainsiders, double deck, and box van trailers for the same commercial fleet segments. Direct competitor in the UK and Ireland truck trailer market.
• Lawrence David: UK manufacturer of rigid vehicle bodywork and trailers, including curtainsiders, box vans, and specialist bodies. Overlaps with Don-Bur's rigid bodywork and trailer product lines and competes for the same UK fleet customers.
• Gray & Adams: UK and Ireland-based manufacturer of rigid and trailer bodywork, particularly strong in refrigerated and box van applications. Competes with Don-Bur for UK retail distribution and 3PL fleet customers.
• Tiger Trailers: UK-based trailer manufacturer producing curtainsiders, double deck, and box van trailers for retail, 3PL, and e-commerce customers. Direct domestic competitor with overlapping enterprise customer base and comparable engineering-led positioning.
• Cartwright Group: One of the UK's largest trailer and bodywork manufacturers producing curtainsiders, box vans, and double deck trailers for the same commercial fleet operator customer base as Don-Bur. Direct overlap in product line, UK end markets, and enterprise customer targeting.
• SDC Trailers: UK and Ireland-based semi-trailer manufacturer producing curtainsiders, box vans, and specialist trailers. Direct competitor in the UK truck trailer market, with comparable engineering-led product positioning and major fleet customers.
• Montracon: UK-based trailer manufacturer offering curtainsiders, box vans, tippers, and double deck trailers. Competes head-to-head with Don-Bur for UK retail, 3PL, and logistics fleet customers, including appearing as a competing OEM in Don-Bur's own used vehicle listings.

Broad incumbents

• Wielton: Polish-based pan-European trailer and body manufacturer with semi-trailer, rigid, and tipper product lines. Competes on price and scale in the European trailer market accessible to UK fleet customers, but with a more commodity positioning than Don-Bur's engineering-led niche.
• Schmitz Cargobull: Europe's largest trailer manufacturer with a full range of semi-trailers, rigid bodies, and refrigerated units. Competes with Don-Bur across UK and European fleets with greater scale, broader product portfolio, and established dealer/service network.
• Krone Trailer Group: Major European trailer manufacturer with full curtainsider, box van, reefer, and chassis lines. Pan-European scale gives Krone a route to UK fleet customers that Don-Bur cannot match on footprint or dealer reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbI4YE14B20BR05vo3uEM6g
• Facebookfacebook.com/159219614090335
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/don-bur
• Instagraminstagram.com/donburgroup
• Xx.com/DonBurGroup

Compliance15 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DON-BUR SERVICE LIMITED