Mr DIY Prepares Market Entry in Hungary and Czech Republic Hungary/Czech Republic: Malaysian retail chain Mr DIY is preparing to enter the Hungarian market with its first store at the Köki shopping centre in Budapest. According to a report by Daily News Hungary dated 5 October 2026 and shared by the Malaysian Embassy in Hungary, the company has begun recruiting staff for the store. No opening date has been announced. Mr DIY is also preparing to open a store in the Czech Repub

Sodimac Revenue Rises 3.8% In Q2 2026 Chile: Falabella’s home improvement business Sodimac recorded a 3.8% year-on-year increase in revenue in the second quarter of 2026, reaching CLP 975.1 billion (EUR 910 million; USD 1.07 billion). The consolidated figures cover operations in Chile, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Colombia and Mexico are not included in Falabella’s consolidated financial statements; including these markets, Sodimac’s sales increased by 10.0%. In local

Top Knobs Acquires JACLO Industries and Durst United States: Top Knobs, a Dimora company, has acquired JACLO Industries, a decorative plumbing manufacturer and distributor based in Cranford, New Jersey, along with its sister brand Durst. JACLO will join Watermark Designs within Top Knobs’ Luxury Brands division. JACLO supplies plumbing, design and contracting customers through showrooms and dealers across North America, while Durst supplies valves, fittings, drainage and wate

RAK Ceramics Appoints Leonardo De Muro as Group CMO UAE: RAK Ceramics has appointed Leonardo De Muro as Group Chief Marketing Officer, effective 1 October 2026. De Muro previously served as Corporate Vice President, International Business Development at the company and has more than 30 years of experience in the ceramics and building materials industry. In his new role, De Muro will oversee RAK Ceramics’ global brand positioning, marketing strategy and innovation activities,

Eziz Doganlar Keramika Expands Ceramic Exports to Azerbaijan Turkmenistan: Eziz Doganlar Keramika, a Turkmenistan-based manufacturer of porcelain tiles and sanitary ceramics established in 2025, has started exporting its products to Azerbaijan. The company previously shipped its first products to Georgia in August, with the latest shipment expanding its export activity into the South Caucasus. The company manufactures porcelain stoneware tiles and sanitary ware using locally

Atlas Copco Completes Acquisition of Guangdong Euroklimat China: Atlas Copco Group has completed its acquisition of Guangdong Euroklimat, a China-based manufacturer of industrial heating and cooling solutions. Founded in 2009, Guangdong Euroklimat provides equipment for applications including process cooling and energy conversion, with manufacturing and assembly facilities in Guangdong Province and Tianjin, as well as sales offices in Southeast Asia. Guangdong Euroklimat gene

FETA Rejoins Eurovent as Member Association UK: The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) has rejoined Eurovent as a Member Association after an absence of more than 20 years. The move brings the UK trade body back into a network of 18 national associations representing the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry across Europe. FETA represents more than 400 manufacturers, suppliers, installers and contractors across sectors in

Pentair Completes USD 1.4 Billion Acquisition of Taco USA: Pentair has completed its acquisition of Taco Group Holdings (Taco) for USD 1.4 billion, subject to customary adjustments. Taco provides hydronic and water-based solutions, and the acquisition expands Pentair’s portfolio across commercial and other water-related applications. Taco will become part of Pentair’s Water Solutions reporting segment and will continue to operate under the Taco brand. Taco will retain a signi

Navien Opens Upgraded New Jersey Training Academy USA:Navien has opened its upgraded New Jersey Training Academy to expand technical training for contractors, distributors, sales representatives and other HVAC, plumbing and water treatment professionals. The facility includes two expanded classrooms and hands-on training areas featuring Navien products, with programmes covering installation, commissioning, operation, diagnostics and troubleshooting. The academy will offer sch

Samsung Plans Nationwide Rollout of Integrated Heat Pump in Korea South Korea: Samsung Electronics plans to expand domestic distribution of its EHS All-in-One heat pump for apartments and other multi-family housing in South Korea. The system provides cooling, floor heating and hot water from a single outdoor unit and uses heat recovery technology to reuse waste heat generated during cooling for hot water production. Samsung plans to establish a domestic supply base by 2027 an

Duravit Appoints Marcel Keller to Lead Swiss Business Switzerland: Duravit has appointed Marcel Keller as Managing Director of its Swiss business, effective 1 January 2027. Keller has experience in the sanitary and construction sectors, including sales management and growth strategy. He will oversee the company’s activities in Switzerland, with responsibilities covering its market strategy, relationships with specialist retailers and customer engagement. The appointment follo

JYSK To Take Over Operations in Three Balkan Markets Kosovo/Albania/North Macedonia: JYSK has agreed to take over its stores and employees in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia from its existing franchise partner. The three markets, which have operated under a franchise arrangement, will become part of JYSK’s own organisation. The company has operated in Kosovo since 2004, North Macedonia since 2008 and Albania since 2015, with a combined 25 stores across the three countries

Dama Solar Project Secures EUR 561 Million Financing in Romania Romania: Rezolv Energy has secured financing of up to EUR 561 million for the construction of the 1.3 GW Dama Solar project in Romania. Covering more than 1,000 hectares, the project is expected to generate around 1,800 GWh of electricity annually and enter commercial operation in the second half of 2028. Construction is expected to employ around 1,500 people at its peak, while the project will also include an 82

UAE-EAEU Trade Pact Targets $50bn Annual Trade by 2032 UAE: The UAE-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Economic Partnership Agreement has entered into force, granting preferential access across more than 86% of tariff lines covering around 96% of the value of current goods trade between the UAE and Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, with the deal targeting nearly USD 50bn in annual trade by 2032. The agreement, signed on June 27, 2025, reduces or eliminates cust

GROHE Plans Wider Retail Presence Across Indian Cities India: LIXIL’s GROHE is expanding its focus on premium bathroom consumption in India, with greater emphasis on organised retail, experiential shopping and opportunities beyond major metropolitan markets. The company sees changing consumer preferences, including increased interest in design, technology, comfort and long-term value, as factors influencing the bathroom and water-solutions market. Replacement and renovation a

Indian Appliance Prices Rise Ahead of Festive Season India: Prices of air conditioners and other consumer appliances in India have increased by around 5–8% ahead of the 2026 festive season, marking the third round of price revisions during the year. Manufacturers have cited higher costs for copper, aluminium, steel and crude derivatives, along with increased freight expenses and currency movements. Despite the price increases, manufacturers expect demand to be supported by re

Ripples Bathrooms Opens New Showroom in Dublin Ireland: Ripples Bathrooms has opened a new showroom at Nutgrove Retail Park in Rathfarnham, Dublin, following an investment of more than EUR 1.5 million (USD 1.75 million). The 6,000 sq ft showroom includes 40 bathroom displays designed around different room sizes and layouts found in homes across South Dublin, Dublin and Wicklow. The displays cover compact bathrooms, family bathrooms and larger spaces, allowing customers to exa

Bank of Spain Warns Housing Shortfall Could Reach One Million Homes Spain: The Bank of Spain has warned that Spain’s housing deficit could exceed one million homes by 2028 if current supply and demand trends continue. Deputy Governor Soledad Núñez said the deficit could increase by around 300,000 homes between 2026 and 2028, on top of the approximately 750,000-home shortfall previously estimated by the institution. The shortage has been linked to continued household formation

ASEAN Issues Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners ASEAN: ASEAN has introduced Green Public Procurement Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners to support the adoption of higher-efficiency room air conditioners across member states. The 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook projects electricity demand from room air conditioners to increase by around 115%, from 134 TWh in 2025 to 288 TWh in 2040. The guidelines identify public procurement as a mechanism through which go

San Diego Foundation Launches $100M Affordable Housing Partnership USA: San Diego Foundation has announced a USD 100 million financing partnership with Bear Creek Fund Advisors to provide construction financing for affordable housing projects in San Diego. The announcement coincided with the groundbreaking of Louisiana Street, a 38-home development in North Park. The project is the first of four developments expected to deliver a combined 257 affordable homes across North Par

EnerCube and Panasonic Partner on Heat Pump Heating Units Germany and Austria: EnerCube has partnered with Panasonic to develop a new series of prefabricated heat pump heating units for commercial, industrial and municipal buildings. The units, known as Cubes, are factory-built systems that incorporate heat pumps, heating technology, controls and sound insulation before being installed outside a building and connected to its heating system. The new series integrates Panasonic

Panasonic Strengthens European Heating and Cooling Operations Europe: Panasonic Heating & Cooling has introduced a new organisational structure and visual identity for its European operations, following the formation of Panasonic HVAC & CC Co., Ltd. on 1 April 2026. The organisation brings together Panasonic’s global heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cold-chain activities under one structure. The change is accompanied by investment in European manufacturing, research

New Zealand Reviews Building Rules for Overheating Homes New Zealand: New Zealand authorities are facing calls to introduce changes to building regulations addressing overheating in newly constructed homes. Organisations including the Building Research Association of New Zealand and the Green Building Council have raised concerns about homes reaching high indoor temperatures during summer, citing factors such as large windows, limited ventilation, lack of external shading and

Romania Residential Building Permits Decline in First Eight Months Romania: Romania issued 21,791 residential building permits during the first eight months of 2026, representing a 12.2% decline compared with the same period of 2025, according to the National Institute of Statistics. In August alone, 2,943 residential building permits were issued, with 72.5% relating to projects in rural areas. August permits declined by 16.1% year on year but increased by 1.2% compared with