Roca Group Australia: Roca Group has opened a new Sydney Gallery in Surry Hills, Australia, bringing together its brands Laufen and Roca within a shared space. The facility is designed as a two level site in a heritage building and was developed by architecture firm DKO. The gallery integrates original architectural elements with modern design to present bathroom solutions focused on functionality, innovation and sustainability. The Sydney Gallery becomes part of the company

Qatar Qatar: Qatar real estate market recorded a 29% year on year increase in total sales value, rising from approximately US$7.3 billion in 2024 to US$9.4 billion in 2025, according to data from Real Estate Regulatory Authority Aqarat. Land and villa transactions remained the dominant segments, contributing the largest share to overall sales despite a slight decline in their individual values. Apartment and building transactions also maintained steady activity, supporting ov

General Inc. Japan: Takeshi Ebisu has been appointed representative director and CEO of General Inc, following approval at the company shareholders meeting. The move is part of a broader leadership restructuring after the transition of Fujitsu General into Paloma Rheem Holdings in August 2025 and its subsequent rebranding to General earlier this year. Ebisu brings prior experience from Daikin Industries, including leadership roles at its subsidiary Goodman Manufacturing. Alon

Heinz von Heiden GmbH Massivhäuser Germany: Heinz von Heiden GmbH Massivhäuser has entered into a strategic partnership with Qvantum to integrate exhaust air heat pumps into its modular housing offerings. Under this collaboration, selected house types, including bungalows and urban villas, will be equipped with Qvantum QE all in one systems as a standard feature. These systems combine heating, cooling, hot water production and ventilation within a compact indoor unit, elimina

Hornbach Germany: The Hornbach Group reported a 3.8% year on year increase in net sales, reaching US$7.43 billion in the financial year 2025-26, in line with its earlier guidance. The company maintained stable operating performance, with adjusted EBIT standing at US$305.9 million, nearly matching the previous year despite rising personnel and operational expenses. Growth was supported by store expansion, improved customer footfall, and steady performance across European marke

Oman Oman: Oman recorded a 3.1% increase in non oil GDP in 2025, reaching US$74.5 billion compared to US$72.2 billion in 2024, according to data from National Centre for Statistics and Information. Non oil activities accounted for about 72.1% of total GDP, reflecting continued progress in economic diversification. The services sector remained the largest contributor, accounting for nearly 47.8% of GDP, supported by growth in financial services, transport, telecommunications a

Appoints Jyrki Martikainen as CEO Finalnd: Nordic Climate Group has appointed Jyrki Martikainen as CEO for Finland, effective 1 April 2026, as part of a planned and well-prepared succession process aimed at supporting the Group’s continued growth in the country. Ilpo Mäkelä, who has led the Finland operations since 2020, will transition to a Board role, contributing to long-term development. Commenting on the appointment, Fredrik Gren highlighted Martikainen’s strong leadersh

AC Industry Faces Weather Disruptions and Rising Costs Ahead of Peak Summer Season India: Air-conditioner manufacturers in India are proceeding cautiously as unseasonal rains across several regions disrupt the early summer demand cycle, which typically peak in March. The industry is also facing rising input costs due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, leading to higher prices of raw materials such as plastics and reduced LPG supply impacting production. Manufacturers have

Villeroy & Boch Maintains Stability in FY2025 with Revenue Growth Despite Challenging Market Conditions Germany: Villeroy & Boch reported a resilient performance in 2025, with revenue rising 1.8% to EUR 1,447 million and operating EBIT reaching EUR 97.8 million despite weak construction activity and subdued consumer spending. The Bathroom & Wellness division grew 2.3% to EUR 1,124.5 million (3.4% currency-adjusted), supported by acquisitions including Ideal Standard, while ma

Indonesian Ceramic Industry Urges Reliable Domestic Gas Supply INDONESIA: Indonesian ceramic manufacturers are calling for stronger government measures to secure consistent natural gas supply, highlighting its critical role in sustaining production. Industry players are advocating for stricter implementation of the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) policy, which would require gas producers to allocate a fixed share of output for domestic use. Producers warn that unreliable gas

Middle East Conflict and Gas Crisis Pressure Indonesian Industry INDONESIA: Indonesian industrial sector is facing mounting pressure due to the combined impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East and a domestic gas supply crisis. Disruptions in global energy markets have contributed to rising gas prices, while local supply constraints have further intensified the challenge for energy-intensive industries. These conditions have significantly increased production costs, p

UK Fast-Tracks Plug-In Solar Rollout Amid Iran War–Driven Energy Security Concerns UK: The UK government has announced plans to introduce plug-in solar panels into retail markets within months, allowing households to generate electricity without complex installation. These systems can be easily connected to standard sockets and placed on balconies or outdoor spaces, offering a low-cost entry into renewable energy adoption. The initiative is part of a broader push to strengthe