Midea RAC Partners with NARAP for HVAC Technical Training in Nigeria Nigeria: Midea Residential Air Conditioner Division (Midea RAC) partnered with the Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Practitioners (NARAP) at NARAP Day 2026, held in Abia State, Nigeria, on July 23–24, as part of its nationwide technical training initiative launched in May 2026. The program covers HVAC technologies, standardized installation practices, after-sales service, and Midea’

Johnson HVAC Distribution Completes Rebrand and Launches New Website Across 25 Locations U.S.: Johnson HVAC Distribution, formerly known as Johnson Supply, has completed its company-wide rebrand and launched a new website, extending the updated identity across all 25 branch locations serving HVAC contractors and professionals throughout Texas and Louisiana. The independently/employee-owned company, established in 1953, said the rebrand reflects its long-standing focus on HVAC

Aermec to Invest USD 17.4 Million in New Chicago Production Plant as 2026 Turnover Grows 5% Italy: Verona-based HVAC manufacturer Aermec will invest USD 17.4 million to build a 15,000-square-meter production plant in the Chicago area, with operations expected to begin in January 2028 and an initial workforce of 150 employees, while the facility could later expand to 30,000 square meters. The company, which operates in 140 countries, reported its 2026 turnover is currently up

Europe's bathroom furniture market delivered a surprising performance in 2025. While residential construction remained subdued across many countries and housing completions continued to decline in several major markets, demand for bathroom furniture proved more resilient than expected. The latest BRG data suggests that the market is no longer being driven primarily by new build activity. Instead, growth is increasingly being generated by renovation projects, bathroom modernis

Vietnam Reviews Air Conditioner Energy Standards to Improve Efficiency Vietnam: Vietnam has initiated consultations to revise TCVN 7830, the national standard for the energy performance of non-ducted air conditioners. The discussions, organised by the Vietnam National Standards and Quality Institute in collaboration with GIZ Proklima, were held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and involved government bodies, academic institutions, industry representatives and certification organ

Beijer Ref Acquires Majority Stake in Lithuania’s Refra Sweden/Lithuania: Sweden-based Beijer Ref has agreed to acquire a 90% stake in Lithuania-based Refra, with an option to purchase the remaining shares. Refra, established in 1994 and headquartered in Vilnius, manufactures heating and cooling systems using natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide and propane, and reports annual turnover of approximately SEK 500 million (USD 53 million/EUR 49 million). The company will c

Carrier Considers New Manufacturing Plant in Fort Worth USA: United States-based Carrier Global Corp. is evaluating plans to establish a new manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas, with an estimated investment of USD 433 million (EUR 399 million). The proposed facility would be located in a 1.2 million square-foot building under development in the northern part of the city. The project is being considered as part of efforts to meet growing demand for data centre cooling sys

Croatia Introduces Subsidies for Solar Systems and Heat Pumps Croatia will begin offering subsidies for photovoltaic systems, battery storage and heat pumps in single-family homes from 2 September 2026, with a total allocation of EUR 36 million (USD 39 million). The programme, administered by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, is open to individual homeowners who are registered occupants of the property. Applications must be submitted through the nationa

EU Introduces New Compliance Requirement for Smart Toilets European Union: A new compliance requirement for smart toilets entering the European market took effect on 5 August 2026 following an amendment published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 4 August. Under the requirement, smart toilets placed on the EU market must undergo type testing of the water isolation module in accordance with EN 1717:2023 and obtain a declaration of conformity issued by an EU Noti

AXOR to Introduce Selective Distribution System in Four European Markets Europe: AXOR will introduce a selective distribution system in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia from 1 January 2027. The system will apply quality standards across its sales channels and is intended to establish requirements for the distribution of AXOR products in these markets. AXOR is part of the Hansgrohe Group and supplies products including faucets, showers, accessories and install

Germany’s Barrier Reduction Funding Programme Exhausts 2026 Budget Germany: Funding under Germany’s barrier reduction programme for 2026 was exhausted on 30 July, according to the Federal Ministry of Construction. Since 8 April, 21,400 applications covering around 26,800 residential units and EUR 46.1 million (USD 53.7 million) in funding had been approved, while further applications remain under processing. The programme supports measures such as installing floor-to-ceiling

Türkiye boasts a substantial industrial base, a well-established supplier network, and enduring export connections with Europe. The country's HVACR exports rose from $7.1 billion in 2024 to $7.4 billion in 2025, positioning Türkiye as one of the largest manufacturing hubs for split air conditioners catering to the European market. Its geographical location offers a distinct advantage. Products can be delivered to European distributors via established road and short-sea routes