INTERVIEW WITH TROJAN BATHS Q&A
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.
Matt: What is the company focused on right now? David: Digital transformation is a central focus for us to both strengthen our manufacturing outputs and also keep Trojan ahead in a fast-moving industry.
Our planned digital investment programme is bringing automation and Industry 4.0 technologies into our production facilities, building on methods long established in automotive manufacturing but still emerging in our sector. By introducing advanced automation for critical production lines, improving material distribution systems and fitting RFID technology into our casting machines, we will create a smarter, more responsive factory environment that supports both growth and quality.
Real-time production monitoring, data analytics and intelligent mould identification will help cut curing times, increase efficiency and give us full traceability throughout the process. These improvements will allow us to expand capacity without compromising standards, improve decision-making and ensure consistent product quality at scale. Above all, this modernisation programme reinforces our commitment to leading the way in UK bathroom manufacturing, meeting rising demand with innovation, reliability and the level of craftsmanship customers expect from Trojan.
Matt: You recently blogged about business booming in the middle east; can you summarise this for us? David: 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.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme, the UAE’s booming tourism sector and rising demand for luxury, design led bathroom products are all creating long-term opportunities for credible international suppliers.
Contrary to widespread perceptions of manufacturing gaps, the region has significant local production capabilities, particularly in Turkey. Regional manufacturers such as RAK Ceramics, one of the largest ceramics manufacturers in the world with global production capacity of 5.7 million pieces of sanitaryware per year, have established strong manufacturing bases. However, the market remains strategically dependent on imports for certain product categories and to meet growing demand - particularly in the Gulf states where the UAE shows the highest per capita consumption and the fastest growth rate in import value. The hospitality market continues to flourish, with Dubai alone welcoming 18.72 million visitors in 2024 - a nine percent increase from the previous year. Development and renovation remain big business, not only in hotels but also in domestic housing, where bathrooms are often replaced more frequently than in other parts of the world.
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
Matt: Can you talk a little about Trojan’s efforts towards sustainability? David: Sustainability is very important to us and we are constantly looking for new ways to improve this. We put local sourcing at the heart of our operation both because it strengthens the regional economy and also cuts the carbon footprint that comes with long-distance transport. All of our timber is bought from FSC certified suppliers, so we know it comes from responsibly managed forests and meets the standards we need for quality and sustainability.
Our plastic packaging contains 30% recycled contents and we work hard to minimise waste through a partnership with Future Polymers, which runs two major recycling facilities on our site. This allows us to recycle both clean and contaminated plastic and reduce what goes to landfill. We are also building closed loop supply chains with selected suppliers to reuse materials more efficiently.
Our transport and energy use follow the same mindset. Most of our HGVs and vans meet Euro 6 standards, and the majority of company cars are hybrid or electric. We encourage staff to choose greener commuting options through our Bike2Work scheme, which has roughly 10 percent uptake.
Alongside this, our 500kW solar system now generates around 9 to 12 percent of our annual energy needs, lowering our reliance on non- renewable power and reducing our overall carbon emissions.
Matt: When you come to look back on 2025, what will be the key memory of the year for you? David: It’s been a challenging year with encouraging signs of improvement from September and a strong October. We’ve continued to meet the challenges the market has thrown at us, and our integrity and market reputation remain intact. From a personal perspective, we’ve lost four employees which has been difficult for the Trojan family - Sandra Holmes, Harry Belafonte, Russell Castle and most recently Ernie Hatton, who retired in 2012.
BKU DECEMBER 2025 7
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