US Construction Employment Increases by 11,000 Jobs in June USA: Construction employment in the United States increased by 11,000 jobs in June, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on 2 July. The construction unemployment rate stood at 4.7%, while the overall unemployment rate across all industries declined to 4.2%, remaining 0.1 percentage points higher than a year earlier. Over the past 12 months, construction employment increased by 64,000 jobs, rep

US House Passes Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act USA: The US House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) on 23 June by a vote of 358 to 32. The legislation aims to increase the supply of affordable housing through measures covering land-use and zoning reforms, housing repairs, multifamily financing, environmental review processes and community banking. It also includes provisions supporting manufa

Canada and the Philippines Target 2026 Free Trade Agreement Canada and the Philippines have agreed to conclude negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement by the end of 2026 as part of a broader strategic partnership covering trade, defence, energy, labour mobility and tourism. The agreement was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney following talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Vancouver during the Philippine leader’s first official visit t

IAPMO Expands Global Compliance Services with In Compliance Acquisition Germany: The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has expanded its international product compliance capabilities through the acquisition of Germany-based consulting firm In Compliance. The company specialises in regulatory requirements for plumbing products and systems, particularly those used in drinking water applications. The acquisition strengthens IAPMO's ability to

Grohe and Gaurs Group Sign Four-Year Residential Supply Agreement India: Grohe has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Gaurs Group to supply bathroom solutions for the developer's residential projects in Delhi-NCR. The four-year agreement is expected to cover approximately 40,000 homes across the company's upcoming luxury residential developments. Under the partnership, Grohe will supply bathroom fittings, showers and complete bathroom solutions, while selected re

European Heatwaves Increase Demand for Turkish HVAC Exports Turkey: Rising heatwaves across Europe are increasing demand for Turkish air conditioning and climate control systems, creating export opportunities for the country's HVAC sector. Industry representatives reported growing demand not only from southern Europe but also from central and northern European markets as higher temperatures influence cooling requirements across residential, commercial and industrial buildings

LG Expands Residential Heat Pump Portfolio in Europe Europe: LG Electronics has expanded its portfolio of residential heat pump solutions in Europe to address growing demand for heating systems using low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. The expanded range includes the Therma V R290 Monobloc air-to-water heat pump, Multi V i and Multi V S Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, along with new indoor units designed for European residential applications. The product

Autech Carrier Begins Mass Production of Residential Heat Pump Boilers South Korea: Autech Carrier announced on 2 July that it has started mass production of residential heat pump boilers at its manufacturing facility in Gwangju, South Korea. The new air-to-water heat pump system combines floor heating and domestic hot water supply within a single unit by extracting heat from outdoor air using electricity rather than burning gas or oil. The system can provide hot water at tem

Kuwait Introduces New Energy Efficiency Requirements for Water Heaters Kuwait: Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy has introduced a new technical code establishing minimum standards for the design and installation of water heating systems in residential and non-residential buildings. The regulation applies to all new buildings and extensions that increase electrical load, with the objective of improving energy efficiency and reducing hot water energy

European Heatwave Drives Air Conditioner Demand Across Italy Italy: Demand for air conditioners has increased across Italy and other European markets following prolonged periods of high temperatures during the summer. Industry reports indicate that Italy's air conditioning market is now valued at approximately EUR 3 billion (USD 3.5 billion), with manufacturers, retailers and installers reporting higher orders and sales. Demand has also extended to portable cooling products,

Handshake ITALY: Roberto Cavalli has entered into an exclusive multi-year licensing agreement with RAK Ceramics, a global provider of ceramic lifestyle solutions, to design, manufacture, and distribute Roberto Cavalli-branded ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, and faucets. As part of the agreement, RAK Ceramics will develop and market the Roberto Cavalli collections across key markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt,

Handshake GERMANY: Dr. Stefan Hartung will step down as chairman of the board of management of Bosch, effective June 30, 2026, at his own request and in mutual agreement with the company's shareholders. He will also resign from the boards of Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG. Effective July 1, 2026, Dr. Christian Fischer will succeed him as chairman, while Dr. Markus Forschner and Dr. Markus Heyn will assume the roles of vice chairmen of the board of management. During his te