Richelieu Hardware Acquires Penrod’s Hardware Division USA: Richelieu Hardware Ltd. has acquired the hardware division of The Penrod Co., a US distributor specialising in commercial and residential doors, hardware and related components. Penrod primarily serves manufacturers, specialty distributors and construction professionals. According to Richelieu’s CEO and President Richard Lord, the acquisition is a strategic fit, bringing established supplier relationships, product ex

Data Centres Drive Non-Residential Construction Spending USA: Non-residential construction spending in the US increased by 0.1% in July 2026, reaching an annualised US$1.286 trillion, according to an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The increase was driven almost entirely by the data centre sector, with spending declining in half of the 16 tracked subcategories. Private non-residential construction rose 0.4%, whereas public spending fell 0.2%. Data centr

Southern Metros Lead New-Home Construction Opportunities USA: Eight of the 10 best US metropolitan areas for purchasing newly built homes are located in the South, according to Realtor.com’s 2026 ranking. Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina, leads the list, with new-build homes priced 12.2% below existing homes. Six of the top 10 markets are in North or South Carolina, supported by more permissive zoning, less restrictive building codes and lower land costs. Smaller,

Bangladesh Gas Crisis Threatens Ceramics Industry BANGLADESH: Bangladesh’s prolonged gas shortage has pushed its ceramics industry into a severe crisis, disrupting production at more than 30 factories across major industrial hubs. Gas pressure has fallen well below required levels, forcing many plants to operate at just 20–40% of capacity, while some production lines have been shut and workers placed on leave. The disruptions are raising production costs, weakening exports an

Britain Streamlines Infrastructure Approvals to Encourage Investment UNITED KINGDOM: Britain’s Treasury plans to make it easier to approve long-term infrastructure projects by cutting the public investment discount rate from 3.5% to 3%. The change, part of reforms to the government’s Green Book, will give greater weight to benefits that materialise over several years, potentially supporting investment in transport, housing and social infrastructure. The government will publis

Haier R290 Air-to-Water Heat Pump Range Launches with Solar Denmark DENMARK: Haier HVAC Solutions has partnered with Solar Denmark to launch its latest R290 air-to-water heat pump portfolio for professional installers across Denmark. Solar will commercialise Haier’s solutions, covering residential and small commercial applications. The portfolio includes 6-16 kW Monobloc, Hydro Split and All-in-One models, alongside a compact Mini range of 3.5 and 5 kW and commercial models o

Rite-Hite Expands European HVAC Business with KE Fibertec Acquisition DENMARK: Milwaukee-based industrial and loading dock manufacturer Rite-Hite has acquired Danish textile ventilation specialist KE Fibertec Group, strengthening its presence in Europe’s fabric HVAC solutions market. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. KE Fibertec employs around 160 people across eight subsidiaries in Denmark, the Czech Republic and the United States, including four production

South Korea’s Exports Surpass Annual Record, Reach US$709.4 Billion SOUTH KOREA: South Korea’s exports have reached US$709.4 billion so far this year, surpassing the country’s full-year record of US$709.3 billion set in 2025, according to the Korea Customs Service. Driven by surging global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips, South Korea is on track to achieve US$1 trillion in annual exports by early December, potentially becoming the fourth country after the United

Europe's Heat Waves Are Changing How People Think About Air Conditioning Air conditioning was once considered optional in much of Europe. Nowadays, it is becoming a necessity. Another summer, another round of new record-breaking temperatures across Europe, and significant changes are happening. Families that once relied on open windows and fans and thick stone walls are increasingly installing air-conditioning units, not for the extra comfort but for safety from the ever-incr

Heat Pumps Overtake Furnaces in US Heating Market USA: The United States is witnessing a shift in residential heating and cooling trends, with heat pump sales exceeding those of fossil fuel furnaces, according to a report by the Building Decarbonization Coalition. In the first quarter of 2026, heat pump shipments were 32% higher than furnace shipments and approached the level of air-conditioning unit sales. Over the past 15 years, heat pump sales have doubled, reflecting a st

Presidential Expands Services with Shipley Acquisition USA: United States-based Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning has acquired Shipley Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, expanding its service offering to include plumbing alongside heating and cooling. Shipley provides services such as drain clearing, water heater repair and replacement, fixture installation, and heating and air conditioning work for residential customers in Montgomery County, Maryland. Presidential,

PCT expands PCBA manufacturing for HVAC applications India: Pacific Cyber Manufacture Technology Co., Ltd. (PCT) has expanded its printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) manufacturing capabilities at its facility in Daman, India, with a focus on components used in residential air conditioners and other white goods. The company stated that it plans to manufacture up to 3.0 million PCBA units in 2026, supported by an installed annual capacity of up to 5.0 million units. The expan