Manufacturer plans sell-off to ease £1.1bn debt burden

Burton manufacturing giant Doncasters is set to sell off parts of its business in a bid to reduce debt, according to reports.

The firm – which can trace its history back to 1778 – is looking to sell two UK-based businesses and is weighing-up the future of two more operations in the US and Germany, according to The Telegraph.

Doncasters’ debt level has reached £1.1bn. Last month the firm sold its precision forging arm for £140m, while it offloaded Belgian busines Settas in September.

Doncasters makes engine parts for Rolls-Royce, among others.

The Telegraph says it will restructure the business “within the next two months”. The move will leave the firm with around 2,400 staff – half of them in the UK.

Doncasters was bought by Dubai International Capital for £700m in 2006.