Housing At a pivotal stage in the legislative calendar, American Supply Association engaged with Capitol Hill lawmakers on key industry priorities while closely monitoring policy developments. A major highlight was the advancement of the long-anticipated Farm Bill by the House Agriculture Committee, which includes provisions from the Healthy H2O Act, a measure strongly supported by ASA. The legislation enables rural households, particularly those dependent on well water, to c

Residential ServiceTitan has released its 2026 Residential State of the Trades Report, based on a survey of 1,000 residential contractors. The findings indicate that 74% of contractors see AI as a key driver of efficiency, reflecting a clear shift toward more technology-enabled operations. However, only around 25% are currently using AI, revealing a notable gap between interest and actual adoption. Among early adopters, the benefits are already evident, with 48% reporting imp

Manufacturing Amid a growing wave of state-level environmental regulations, the chemical composition of equipment is emerging as a key focus within the U.S. regulatory landscape. Efforts to control per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have expanded beyond municipal water treatment concerns to become a direct supply chain requirement. States are increasingly advancing comprehensive policies targeting intentionally added PFAS in manufactured products. New Mexico’s propose

HVAC Significant changes may be on the horizon for tax incentives that support HVAC and sheet metal work, following the introduction of the American Energy Dominance Act (H.R. 8477). Proposed by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and supported by key stakeholders in the construction and labor sectors, the legislation aims to provide long-term stability for federal tax credits tied to energy efficiency projects across the United States. Currently, two of the most critical in

Home energy Federal funding aimed at promoting residential energy efficiency, including heat pump installations, is expected to resume soon after an extended pause. On April 15, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright informed the House Appropriations Committee that Home Energy Rebate (HER) funds could be released within a “few weeks.” The program had been under review by the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure alignment with the administration’s policy agenda. HER comprises two

Heat Pump The AHR show hosts around 2,000 companies from the United States and several other countries, all showcasing their products within a massive exhibition space spanning acres in a major city. In comparison, this event was held at a facility typically used by the Associated Builders & Contractors of NH/VT and the Vermont Construction Academy for training in framing carpentry. The venue was equipped with multiple 240 VAC electrical service points, allowing some sponsors

VTS Expands Production Capacity in Bangalore with Second Manufacturing Module India: In response to rising order volumes and growing demand for HVAC solutions across the region, VTS has expanded its production capacity in Bangalore, India, by launching a second production module. The newly operational facility, completed following successful equipment installation, manufactures air handling units (AHUs), including solutions dedicated to the Data Center sector. The expansion s

Tata Power, Keppel and Tata Realty Partner for Large-Scale Cooling-as-a-Service Project in Chennai India: Tata Power Trading Company Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power, has partnered with Keppel Limited and Tata Realty and Infrastructure Limited to deploy a large-scale cooling-as-a-service (CaaS) solution at Intellion Park in Chennai’s Taramani IT corridor. Spread across more than 25 acres, the project will feature a total installed cooling capacity of 12,100 tonnes

Britain’s Construction Sector Records Sharpest Decline in Nearly Six Years UK: Britain’s construction sector recorded its steepest contraction in nearly six years during the three months to March, with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reporting the industry’s net workloads balance falling to -12% from -6% in the previous quarter, marking the weakest reading since Q2 2020 when it dropped to -36% during COVID-19 lockdowns. According to the survey of 938 firms

Wren Invests USD 25.2 Million to Expand UK Showroom Network UK: Kitchen and bedroom retailer Wren is investing USD 25.2 million to open 15 new showroom across the UK in 2026, creating around 169 new jobs as part of its nationwide expansion strategy. New locations include Southport, Leamington Spa, and Newport on the Isle of Wight, with work on the Southport and Leamington Spa sites beginning immediately, while the Isle of Wight showroom, a new-build site, is expected to open

Bathroom Distribution Group Reports Double-Digit Q1 Growth Across Frontline and Smiths Briten UK: Bathroom Distribution Group (BDG), owner of Frontline Bathrooms and Smiths Briten, reported strong Q1 2026 performance, with Frontline recording 22% growth and Smiths Briten achieving 21% growth compared to the same period last year. The company attributed the increase to strong market demand, a more focused product offering, and improved product availability, supported by the ex

Amazon Partners with Transaera to Deploy Next-Generation Heat Pump Technology Across Global Building Network US: Amazon and Transaera have entered into a new agreement to deploy Transaera’s next-generation heat pump technology across Amazon’s global building network following a successful six-month trial. Founded in 2018, U.S.-based Transaera develops energy-efficient air conditioning and dehumidification systems that use Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to remove humidity bef