Leeds-based shower tray manufacturer JT is celebrating its 35th anniversary and its growing trade with Europe.
Just Trays, which was founded in 1988, designs and manufactures shower trays from its Leeds headquarters, with two factories producing more than 8,000 trays a week.
The company can lay claim to having introduced the first shower tray on legs and boasts an innovative anti-slip solution that is said to “reinvent the way anti-slip showering was originally implemented”.
JT was acquired by Kartell UK in 2019, which the company says helped to enhance its global offering and expand in the UK and overseas. It moved into the Canadian market in 2022 and in doing so, it says it became the only UK shower tray manufacturer to break into that region.
The company, which quotes a turnover figure of more than £25 million, also reports that it has seen sales in Europe grow significantly over the past 18 months, resulting in a 50% increase in its exports year on year.
JT sales and marketing director John Schofield commented: “We have been driving quality and innovation in UK manufacturing for 35 years and have invested highly in both our people and the brand. It’s testament to the hard work of the team that we have reached such a great milestone.
“I personally would like to thank all of our customers and suppliers for their support over the past 35 years, and we aim to continue driving forward shower tray innovation, championing British manufacturing for sales both in the UK and internationally.”
Schofield added: “We’re proud to keep it local and support our own economy by manufacturing in our Leeds headquarters, which over the years has created a wealth of job opportunities and provided a range of tangible skills to future generations, keeping our sector thriving for years to come.”
Distributor Kartell has been on the acquisition trail over the past few years, acquiring MX Group (trays) in April, Clear Look (mirrors) in June 2022, Summerbridge and Humber Doors on January that year and Vogue UK (radiators and towel rails) in December 2021.