2025 in Review: Toilet Seats Europe's toilet seat market continued to demonstrate resilience during 2025, despite ongoing challenges across the residential construction sector. While new housing activity remained subdued in several major markets, demand was supported by a combination of replacement purchases, housing renovation projects and recurring demand from commercial and institutional buildings. The latest BRG research highlights an increasingly important shift within t

Italy’s Valves and Taps Sector Faces Export Challenges and New European Drinking Water Rules Italy: Italy’s valves and taps sector, with turnover of almost EUR 10 billion and exports accounting for over 60% of revenue, faces growing geopolitical uncertainty, volatile energy and logistics costs, and stricter European drinking water requirements. Francesca Paffoni, CEO of Rubinetteria Paffoni Spa and President-designate of the Italian Association of Valve and Faucet Manufacture

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

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

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

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

Bathroom INDIA: Lorazzo, a design-led and technology-focused kitchen and bathroom fittings brand, has raised Rs 15 crore (approximately US$1.8 million) in its latest funding round. The round was led by Sauce, with follow-on investment from Sprout Venture Partners and participation from Panthera Peak and Alteria Capital. The company plans to use the funds to expand its product portfolio, strengthen product development and research, build its team, and enhance its online and of

WERIT Expands Dutch Sanitary Market Presence with Rezi Sanitair Business Takeover Netherlands: Werit Kunststoffwerke W. Schneider GmbH & Co. KG will take over the business activities of its long-standing Dutch partner Rezi Sanitair Nederland BV, based in Valkenswaard, effective 1 October 2026, following the retirement of its partner. Rezi Sanitair, which has operated under its current name since 1997 and has roots dating to Philips Sanitair, founded in 1940, supplies toilet c

Grohe Opens Water Experience Centre in Düsseldorf Germany: Grohe opened its new Water Experience Centre in Düsseldorf on 24 September. Covering approximately 590 square metres, the facility is designed to serve customers, partners and trade professionals through interactive product displays, meetings and training sessions. The opening ceremony was attended by Dr Kirsten Bender, Head of the Technology & Business Location Department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry

Hap Seng Plans Sale Of Hafary Stake Following Takeover Offer Malaysia: Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd has agreed to sell its 50.82 per cent stake in Singapore-listed Hafary Holdings Ltd as part of a takeover offer by 23 Capital Pte Ltd. The offer values Hafary at approximately SGD 140 million (USD 102.20 million/EUR 95.10 million), with a cash offer of SGD 0.64 per share. 23 Capital, which is controlled by members of the Hafary founding family, intends to take the company private.

Mudiame University Plans Pilot Ceramic Factory In Nigeria Nigeria: Mudiame University has announced plans to establish a pilot ceramic factory within six months in partnership with several Italian organisations, following engagements at TECNA 2026 in Italy. The initiative aims to support teaching, equipment development, technology transfer and manpower training, alongside the launch of the university’s ceramic engineering programme, which has received approval from the Nation

Naitron Expands Granite Composite Sink Manufacturing Capabilities in China China: Hubei Nature New Material Sanitary Appliance Co., Ltd. (NAITRON) has expanded its granite composite sink manufacturing operations in Hubei, China, supported by digitally controlled production systems and patented thermosetting moulding technology. The company provides OEM and ODM manufacturing services to global distributors and wholesalers, with production processes designed to ensure consisten

Bathroom Alca, a Czech manufacturer of support frames, piping systems, shower channels and siphons, is expanding into the French market as part of its broader European growth strategy. The company is targeting the mid- to high-end segment and is leveraging its modern production capabilities and focus on product quality and innovation. According to Radka Prokopová, CEO and co-owner of Alca, France represents one of the largest markets in Europe and is therefore a key expansion

South Korean Bathroom and Fixture Suppliers Expand Consumer Businesses South Korea: Suppliers of bathroom fixtures and building products are expanding their business-to-consumer (B2C) operations amid a slowdown in residential construction. Haatz, Hyumpel and Daelim Bath are diversifying their product ranges and distribution channels beyond their traditional focus on supplying apartment developers and construction companies. Haatz, which launched its online store in 2017, has

Clas Ohlson Opens 40th Store in Finland Finland: Swedish retailer Clas Ohlson is expanding its presence in Finland with the opening of its 40th store in Joensuu on 26 September 2026. The new store has a retail area of 1,000 square metres. The company plans to open three stores in Finland during 2026, as part of its continued expansion in the country. A store in Tampere opened in April, while another is scheduled to open in Pirkkala in November. Victor Esteka, Sales & Operatio