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,

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

White Label Sinks and Taps launches with former 1810 leadership UK: White Label Sinks and Taps has launched in the United Kingdom as a supplier of kitchen sinks and taps, led by former 1810 Company executives Daryl Southwell as managing director and Alison Clitheroe as operations director. The company brings together experience in the retail and contract kitchen markets and will initially focus on supplying stainless steel kitchen sinks and taps, with plans to introduce quart

US heat pump shipments exceed fossil fuel furnace shipments USA: Heat pump sales in the US have increased over the past 15 years and now exceed shipments of fossil fuel furnaces, according to an analysis by the Building Decarbonization Coalition. In the first quarter of 2026, heat pump shipments were 32% higher than fossil fuel furnace shipments and were close to the level of air-conditioning unit shipments. In new housing, heat pumps accounted for 46% of installations in 202

Arbonia reports organic revenue growth in first half of 2026 Europe: Arbonia recorded organic revenue growth of 2.3% in the first half of 2026, with incoming orders and order volumes above the previous year's levels across its large production plants. The company reported that higher material prices and currency effects affected its performance during the period. It also continued the implementation of an integrated system landscape intended to support group-wide procurement,

Hansgrohe appoints Benjamin Holzer as Vice President AXOR Germany: Hansgrohe Group has appointed Benjamin Holzer as Vice President of AXOR, succeeding Olivier Sogno. Holzer joined Hansgrohe in 2001 and has been responsible for AXOR Product Management since 2019. In his new position, he will lead the strategic development of the AXOR brand internationally. Sogno, who has led AXOR since 2019, will move to a new role heading Corporate Marketing for Hansgrohe Group. Commenting on

Germany sees renewed household interest in energy transition technologies Germany: Households in Germany are showing increased willingness to invest in climate protection, according to the KfW Energy Transition Barometer. The proportion of households willing to take action rose from 59% in 2025 to 66% in 2026, while 84% said climate protection was important or very important. The survey, conducted among more than 4,300 households between December 2025 and April 2026, found th