Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is under negotiations

Shower tray manufacturer JT has been working alongside BritishAmerican Business to raise awareness of what the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could mean to British exporters.

The Leeds-based manufacturer which has invested a six-figure sum in boosting capacity, and already sells shower trays to the Middle East and Europe, hopes the deal will see barriers to trade with the US removed, increasing export opportunities.

The falling exchange rate of Sterling against the Dollar could further boost export opportunities as importing from the UK will become cheaper for American buyers.

Sponsored Video

Quarter sawn Tulipwood

JT has worked with US regulators for almost two years to achieve IAMPO accreditation for its JT Ultracast and JT Merlin trays, and is now seeing approval for its best-selling JT Fusion.

Despite JT Fusion selling 250,000 units in Europe, it currently cannot be sold in the USA and could take up to 18 months until it is possible.

Managing director of JT, Paul Crossley explains: “We have been asked to assist BritishAmerican Business in their support of British exports by removing some of the current barriers to trade. This work has culminated in a meeting with the chief negotiator for the US government and the US ambassador for Trade.

“As a proud Great British manufacturer, JT exports globally to the Far East and Europe and we’re keen to introduce more ranges to the US, particularly as we feel our products are technically and ecstatically more modern in design than shower trays currently in sale in the US market – we just wish the process could be simplified and more flexible to help us achieve our goals.

“We think that simplifying the US standards and criteria or aligning them more with European standards would help British firms to compete in the US market.”