Air cond INDIA: Indian air cooler manufacturer Symphony is expanding beyond its core air cooler business by entering the room air conditioner segment in the domestic market. The company also plans to make a calibrated and phased entry into BLDC ceiling fans and air purifiers, marking its expansion into adjacent consumer durable categories. The new products are expected to be introduced selectively across product ranges, geographic markets and distribution channels starting fr

commercial interior UK bathroom specialist HIB has joined Commercial Interiors UK, the trade association representing the UK’s commercial interiors sector, as part of its strategy to strengthen industry partnerships and expand its presence across commercial markets. Commercial Interiors UK represents more than 200 accredited manufacturers and suppliers across categories including furniture, lighting, fabrics, flooring, bathroom fittings and other interior products. Its member

Construction In the second quarter of 2026, single-family construction remained weak across most U.S. geographic markets, as elevated building material costs, high interest rates and continued economic uncertainty constrained residential construction activity. In contrast, multifamily construction strengthened across most regions, supported by resilient demand for rental housing. According to the latest findings from the NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI), the pace of

Distribution Do it Best Group has continued to make progress in integrating True Value, which it acquired in late 2024, with initiatives focused on product alignment, procurement efficiencies and optimisation of its distribution network. As part of the integration, the company has achieved 92% SKU alignment between the Do it Best and True Value businesses following a review of more than 50,000 products across both operations. The company has also completed more than 100 produ

Kohler Kohler has closed its only manufacturing facility in Brazil, ending production at its plant in Andradas, Minas Gerais, and affecting more than 400 direct employees. The facility was officially closed on 31 August 2026, according to Valor Econômico. The plant manufactured a range of sanitaryware products, including ceramic basins and lavatory pans, as well as bathroom and kitchen fittings. According to Allan di Bartolomeo, Kohler’s legal director for Latin America, the

UK Housing Market Weakens UK: UK house prices recorded their first annual decline in nearly three years in August 2026, with prices falling 0.4% year-on-year and 0.2% month-on-month, according to Lloyds. The slowdown reflects higher mortgage rates, rising inflation, affordability pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. London and the South East were the hardest-hit regions, with prices declining by 1.5% and 1.6%, respectively. In contrast, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Australia’s Housing Boom Australia: More than 23% of Australia’s residential building approvals are concentrated in growth corridors where over half of households are experiencing severe mortgage stress, according to OurTop10 research. In the year to June 2026, 46,557 of the 205,249 approved homes were located in these high-stress areas, including Logan, Ipswich, Casey, Hume and Wanneroo. Despite strong housing demand, approvals remained below the Housing Accord target of 240

Nigeria’s Construction Costs Surge Nigeria: Nigeria’s real estate and construction sectors are facing severe cost pressures, with building material prices rising by up to 440% between 2019 and 2026. Iron rod prices increased by 410%, cement by 367% and blocks by 275%, driven by currency depreciation, higher production costs, logistics expenses and import dependence. Around 60–80% of finishing materials, including tiles and sanitary ware, are imported, increasing exposure to f

Türkiye Introduces First National Cooling Action Plan Türkiye: In July 2026, Türkiye launched its first National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) to support the transition towards sustainable, energy-efficient and climate-resilient cooling systems. Developed over three years, the plan focuses on improving energy efficiency, reducing pressure on electricity grids and protecting health and critical supply chains during heatwaves. The initiative is particularly significant given Türki

Businesses Turn to Wastewater Heat Recovery to Cut Energy Use UK: Businesses with high shower usage are being encouraged to adopt wastewater heat recovery (WWHR) systems to reduce energy consumption and emissions. The technology captures heat from used shower water and transfers it to incoming cold water, reducing the energy required for water heating. It is particularly suitable for hotels, gyms, spas, leisure centres, student accommodation and healthcare facilities. Showers

Lennox Expands HVAC Training to Address US Technician Shortage USA: Lennox has opened a new training centre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to address the shortage of skilled HVAC technicians in the US. The 6,000-square-foot facility provides hands-on commercial HVAC training for technicians, managers and field leaders across four career development tracks. Its paid Build-A-Tech apprenticeship combines classroom learning, field experience and mentorship, having trained nearly 1,

UK Energy Costs Rise as US–Iran Conflict Drives Fuel Prices Higher UK: The ongoing US–Iran conflict is expected to add an estimated US$11.4 billion (£9.8 billion) to UK energy and road transport costs, according to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). Higher wholesale gas and oil prices could add more than £5bn to energy bills and US$ 5.5 billion (£4.7 billion) to road fuel costs. Energy users face around US$ 220.6 million (£190 million) in additional costs each w