NEWS & INSIGHTS

As our 50^th year of trading comes to a close, we sat down with David Mosley, our Managing Director, to discuss the successes of the past 12 months and how far we have come since Trojan’s inception. From new accessible bathing product launches and shower tray updates, to travelling the world to see suppliers and celebrating our 50^th anniversary in style, 2025 has been a challenging, yet rewarding year. Read more about David’s highlights of the year.

2025 was a special year as it marked our 50th anniversary – a remarkable milestone in Trojan’s history.

We celebrated in a way that reflected our Yorkshire heritage and values; a special evening event in June that brought together the heart of our company – our employees and their guests – alongside loyal suppliers who have been integral to our journey since 1975.

The inclusion of our long-standing suppliers, some of whom have partnered with us since our founding, speaks to the enduring relationships and loyalty that have been crucial to our success.

Bathe Easy expansion

Another big moment for us was the expansion of our Living Showers range of accessible bathing products to support independent showering for those with mobility needs.

The range features the revolutionary ‘Bath In Shower Out’ (BOSI ®) system, which we spent three years co-developing with Robert Bolton of RBT Bathrooms and that we are now proud to manufacture in North Yorkshire.

The BOSI® offers a quick and seamless transition for those who want to future-proof and modernise their bathroom quickly and affordably and is designed with installers in mind – it can be fitted in just one day using existing bathroom pipework, eliminating the disruption typically associated with bathroom renovations.

The whole Living Showers range prioritises accessibility, safety and style. The showers have an ergonomic design with a low-profile anti-slip shower tray and integrated tapered seat, providing security and stability in wet conditions so users can maintain dignity during personal care.

I believe the range represents a major advancement for the UK’s accessible bathing market which is growing at pace – over 16.1 million people in the UK reported a disability in the 2022/2023 financial year. 

Relaunching the Traymate by Trojan Elementary range

Another moment to mention is the relaunch of our Traymate by Trojan Elementary shower trays, which are now manufactured with a guaranteed 6mm thick waste yet remain low profile. The aesthetics have been improved resulting in a more modern looking tray and thanks to a to an improved material blend we have eliminated bowing across the tray length, which makes it easier for installers to fit. The relaunch is part of an ongoing programme of investment into Traymate, to modernise our shower tray manufacturing capabilities and improve the quality of the product. More to come in 2026!

The overarching goal this year was to strengthen the foundations of our Traymate by Trojan shower tray division, so that this side of the business is set up for long-term growth.

Alongside the Elementary shower tray relaunch, much of our effort has gone into positioning ourselves clearly in the mid to premium end of the market, where design, material quality and advanced production matter most.

We have invested heavily in modernising the portfolio, taking a measured approach to entering a competitive landscape and focusing on showing customers the value behind our product range. Some of our key investments include:

· Installation of a state-of-the-art casting machine

· Advanced vacuum lifting equipment

· Semi-automated packing system

· Complete replacement of master moulds to meet our exacting quality standards.

The decision to replace the master moulds, while representing one of the largest cost elements, was crucial as these are fundamental to production mould quality and, ultimately, the final product. This investment reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards across all our product lines, ensuring customer satisfaction every time.

That work has been supported by transparent conversations about our capabilities, our manufacturing upgrades and our commitment to quality.

Alongside this, the Trojan difference has shaped how we approach bath manufacturing across the wider business. It combines our commitment to British manufacturing excellence, ongoing reinvestment in new designs, modern production methods, and a clear value proposition based on premium quality at competitive prices.

Investing in our team

Our focus on our team and customers has also played a major role, as we have spent time educating stakeholders on how and why we manufacture the way we do, strengthening long term partnerships built on trust. We’ve also invested over £15,000 in training for our team this year, running courses on leadership, root cause analysis, staff management, manual handling, and fire safety. This investment is expected to increase in 2026 as we continue to upskill our in-house team.

By pairing decades of craftsmanship with continual innovation, we’ve been able to maintain the standards we’re known for while adapting to a changing market. Together, these priorities have helped us stabilise, differentiate and build a platform for future success.

The biggest challenge has been rising UK manufacturing costs – wages, raw materials, energy, insurance and environmental charges have all continued to climb.

We’ve had to adapt our operations to remain competitive against imports, ensuring we remain a top choice in the sanitaryware markets.  

Digital transformation is a strategic priority for us as we research and evaluate how Industry 4.0 technologies can strengthen our manufacturing outputs and ensure Trojan remains competitive in a fast-moving industry.

We recognise that Industry 4.0 is no longer emerging – it’s becoming the standard that defines modern manufacturing. We’re actively researching how automation, real-time data analytics and intelligent production systems can transform our operations. These technologies are already established in automotive manufacturing and are rapidly becoming essential across all advanced manufacturing sectors. We cannot afford to fall behind.

We’re in the research and planning phase, evaluating how we can introduce advanced automation for critical production lines, upgrade our material distribution systems and integrate RFID technology into our casting machines. We’re examining how real-time production monitoring, data analytics and intelligent mould identification could help us cut curing times, increase efficiency and achieve full traceability throughout our processes.

The strategic importance is clear: Industry 4.0 will enable us to expand capacity without compromising standards, make smarter business decisions based on real data, and ensure consistent product quality at scale. More fundamentally, it’s about securing our future in a sector where digital capability will increasingly define competitive advantage.

As we work through this research phase and develop our digital transformation roadmap, we remain committed to leading the way in UK bathroom manufacturing – meeting rising demand with innovation, reliability and the craftsmanship Trojan is known for.

The Middle East has become one of the fastest growing sanitaryware markets in the world due to its rapid urbanisation, large scale construction and huge investment in hospitality and housing as Dubai alone welcomed 18.72 million visitors in 2024.

UK bathroom manufacturers are uniquely positioned to capitalise on the Middle Eastern sanitaryware market’s growth trajectory. Buyers place real value on durability, sustainability and distinctive design, which plays directly into the strengths of established UK manufacturers.

Trojan is building a strong foothold by combining British craftsmanship with products designed for the region’s expectations around luxury and performance. We have a dedicated office in Dubai, long-standing relationships with developers and a growing track record of major projects (including supplying more than 1,700 baths for a flagship Abu Dhabi housing scheme), so the business is well placed for further growth there. Our ability to balance aesthetics with commercial grade durability makes us a reliable partner for large residential and hospitality developments. As demand continues to rise, we’re investing in new product ranges, deeper partnerships and a long-term strategy to position Trojan as a trusted supplier across the Middle East.

The shift towards showering will continue, but baths remain essential infrastructure in family homes. New builds and properties targeting young families still need at least one bath. Our focus is on serving both markets effectively – quality shower trays for the daily routine, and baths that remain a practical necessity for households with children, allowing us to confidently expand our operations across both sectors in the coming year. 

We have some fantastic new product launches lined up to expand our Bathe Easy assisted living range, building on the Living Showers expansion. Alongside this, as mentioned, we will continue to invest in our shower tray division to further improve production standards. We hope to adapt and roll across to the bath factories when it’s appropriate to do so, improving our manufacturing capabilities and efficiency.

It’s been a challenging year, but we’ve continued to meet the challenges that the market has thrown at us, due to our integrity and resilience. From a personal perspective, we’ve lost five employees which has been difficult for the Trojan family.

Life is short – shorter than we think when we’re caught up in deadlines, production targets and deliveries. So let’s make sure we’re there for each other. Let’s make sure that when people need support, they know they can ask. Let’s remember that the person working next to you has a whole life beyond this factory – and that life matters. We’ll remember Sandra, Harry, Russell, Paul, and Ernie, Trojan’s former Managing Director who retired in 2012. We’ll honour them by being the kind of family business they deserved to work for, one that looks after its own, that values people and that never forgets that behind every role, every shift, every job well done, there’s a person who matters.

Going into 2026

Along with the challenges, this year has brought successes across our team, our manufacturing capabilities and both the bath and shower tray divisions. We are looking forward to the year ahead, working with our loyal customers as we expand into growing markets with some exciting new product ranges.