Bathroom Specialist JTP Recruits 75 New Independent Bathroom Showrooms in H1 2026 UK: Bathroom specialist JTP recruited 75 new independent bathroom showrooms during the first half of 2026, reflecting the continued popularity of its established collections and strong market reception to new products and contemporary finishes launched earlier this year. During H1 2026, the company also strengthened its support for independent retail partners through investment in stock and dist

SCGD and Axent Switzerland AG Form Joint Venture to Produce Smart Sanitaryware in ASEAN Thailand: SCGD announced that its subsidiary, Siam Sanitaryware (SSW), has formed a joint venture with Axent Switzerland AG, with SSW holding a 51% stake and Axent 49%, supported by a registered capital and total investment of approximately USD 2.5 million (THB 80 million). The new venture will manufacture and assemble smart and tankless sanitaryware with an annual production capacity of 9

IKEA Opens Second Delhi City-Format Store to Strengthen Presence in Northern India India: IKEA is strengthening its presence in northern India with the opening of its second city-format store in Delhi at DLF Avenue, Saket, on 30 July, spanning 30,000 sq ft, marking its fourth city-format store in India after Mumbai, Pune and West Delhi. The outlet will offer nearly 3,000 products, with around 1,400 available for immediate takeaway and access to a catalogue of more than 6,900

SANIPEX GROUP Partners with Slimstock to Enhance Inventory Planning Across the UAE and GCC UAE: SANIPEX GROUP has partnered with Slimstock to enhance inventory planning across the UAE and wider GCC, supporting its continued growth as a luxury bathroom and sanitaryware distributor. Through the implementation of Slim4, the company will automate replenishment planning, improve supply chain visibility across its distribution centre and 12 showrooms, and optimise inventory managem

Portugal’s Immigration Curbs Deepen Construction Labour Shortage Amid Housing Crisis Portugal: Portugal’s tighter immigration rules have intensified labour shortages in the construction sector, where foreign workers account for around 30% of the workforce, even as the country faces a housing shortfall of 300,000 homes and plans to build 150,000 affordable homes by 2030 under a USD 10.3 billion (EUR 9 billion) EU-backed programme. Although construction employment increased by

Porto Business School Barometer Highlights Housing Supply Reforms as Key to Solving Portugal’s Housing Crisis Portugal: Porto Business School’s newly launched Housing Affordability & Public Policy Barometer found that 61.1% of real estate experts attribute Portugal’s housing crisis to a combination of structural and cyclical factors, while 31.5% view it as primarily structural and 6.5% as mainly cyclical. Experts identified housing supply shortages, slow permitting processes,

Coalition of 18 States Challenges EPA Rule Delaying HFC Refrigerant Transition U.S.: A coalition of 18 U.S. states, along with Washington, D.C., and New York City, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), challenging its May 2026 interim rule that raises the Global Warming Potential (GWP) limit for supermarket refrigeration systems and remote condensing units from 150/300 to 1,400 until 1 January 2032, delaying the original 1 January 2027 co

Panasonic Life Solutions India Reports 50% Growth in Residential Air Conditioner Sales During 2026 Summer Season India: Panasonic Life Solutions India reported a 50% year-on-year increase in residential air conditioner sales during the 2026 summer season, achieving its highest-ever seasonal sales in the country, driven by strong demand across metro, Tier II, and Tier III markets for premium inverter, connected, and energy-efficient air conditioners. Earlier this year, the com

TA Global Partners With Gaggenau, Gessi and Laufen for CloutHaus Residences in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia: TA Global has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Gaggenau, Gessi, and Laufen to supply kitchen appliances, fittings, and sanitary ware for CloutHaus Residences, the residential component of its USD 708 million (RM3 billion) mixed-use development in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The agreements were formalised on 21 July at the CloutHaus Sales Gallery, with select

BDR Thermea Appoints Interim Leadership Team for German Operations NETHERLANDS: BDR Thermea has announced a temporary leadership change for its German business following the departure of Managing Director Erik Feijen, whom the company thanked for his contributions during a challenging period of transformation. Until a permanent successor is appointed, Aliëtte van der Wal-van Dijk, Chief Commercial Officer, and Luigi La Morgia, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, will joi

Hitachi Opens BuilMirai Experience Center in India to Showcase AI-Powered Smart Building Solutions INDIA: Hitachi, in collaboration with Hitachi Lift India and GlobalLogic, has inaugurated the BuilMirai Experience Center at GlobalLogic's headquarters in Noida, India. The facility serves as an innovation and customer engagement hub for BuilMirai, Hitachi's digital building management platform built around its HMAX for Buildings portfolio. By combining operational technology, a

Thailand Air Conditioner Exports to Europe Surge as Heatwave Boosts Demand THAILAND: Thailand's air conditioner exports to Europe are accelerating as prolonged heatwaves and rising cooling demand drive orders. According to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), Thailand exported US$149 million worth of air conditioners in May 2026, up 40.7% year-on-year, while exports reached US$784 million during January–May, an 18.9% increase. Reversible air conditioners with heat pum