UK Ceramics Industry Seeks Support Amid Rising Energy Costs UK: The ceramics industry in the United Kingdom has raised concerns over rising energy costs, policy-related expenses and weakening demand across several end-use sectors, warning that these pressures are affecting manufacturers throughout the supply chain. Represented by Ceramics UK, the sector includes producers of bricks, sanitary ware, refractories, healthcare components, aerospace materials and other industrial p

Clerici Group Targets EUR 1 Billion Revenue Milestone Italy: The Clerici Group, an Italy-based distributor of plumbing and heating products, bathroom furnishings, flooring and wall coverings, is targeting revenue of more than EUR 1 billion (USD 1.14 billion; EUR 1 billion) by 2026. The company reported revenue of EUR 863 million (USD 984 million; EUR 863 million) in 2025, representing an increase of 7.6% compared with the previous year. The group’s growth strategy is centred

TOTO Flotation Bathtub Introduced in India Through Valueline India: Valueline has introduced the Flotation Bathtub by TOTO to the Indian market, making the product available through its Delhi showroom. The bathtub is based on TOTO’s patented Zero Dimension technology, which is designed to recreate the body’s natural resting posture and provide a floating sensation during bathing. The product incorporates several integrated features, including Hydrohands water massage technolo

GCware Plans Expansion into Southern and Western India India: GCware has announced plans to expand its operations into southern and western India as part of its broader growth strategy. The company, which originated as Glocera in 2009, currently has an established presence across northern and eastern regions of the country. Alongside its geographical expansion, GCware is investing in manufacturing automation and smart sanitaryware technologies. According to directors Nimish G

IKEA FRANCE: Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, is accelerating its retail expansion by entering new locations to improve accessibility and affordability for customers. As part of its renewed emphasis on its core retail operations, the company is continuing the rollout of a compact store format, which has been piloted since 2025 across selected European markets and the U.S. Following launches in the UK, Poland, and the U.S., IKEA France has opened its first two compact s

Tariff USA: Donald Trump signed a proclamation revising tariffs on selected metal-related imports to better address national security concerns, encourage investment in U.S. agriculture, housing, and manufacturing, and support domestic production of related goods. Under the revised measures, tariffs on certain agricultural machinery, including combines and harvesters, have been reduced from 25% to 15%. The proclamation also broadens the scope of industrial equipment eligible f

Modern Bathroom The trend towards showers has been a longstanding shift in most countries, particularly across Western Europe, where it began gaining momentum in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This transition has been driven by changing consumer lifestyles, increasing urbanisation, and a growing preference for convenience, speed, and water efficiency. Compared to bathtubs, showers are perceived as more practical for daily use, especially among working households and in small

Chinese-Backed Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Facility Opens in Karak JORDAN: A new sanitary ware manufacturing facility backed by Chinese investment was inaugurated in Karak, southern Jordan, on 31 May 2026. Developed by Jincheng Global Ceramic Company with an investment of US$ 80 million, the plant is expected to strengthen Jordan's industrial base, increase local manufacturing value-added and support economic development outside the capital. Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Has

Duravit Germany: Duravit has appointed Dr Bernt Ketterer as Senior Vice President of Strategy, Innovation and Product Portfolio Management, effective June 1, 2026. The newly created leadership role is part of the company’s strategic restructuring efforts. Ketterer previously served as Head of Corporate Strategy at the KOSTAL Group, where he was involved in corporate transformation initiatives and portfolio development across growth-orientated business segments. In his new pos

VDMA Reports Steady Business Confidence, Though Market Recovery Remains Slow GERMANY: The latest VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design sentiment survey indicates that the German sanitary and installation technology industry remains stable, although the anticipated recovery has yet to materialise. Most companies continue to report satisfactory or good business conditions, with a majority expecting modest revenue growth in 2026. However, rising energy and raw material costs, supp

Hansgrohe Targets EUR 150 Million India Revenue, Sees Market as Strategic Growth Hub India: Plumbing materials major Hansgrohe has identified India as a strategic market and aims to increase its revenue from the country to EUR 150 million in the near term, according to a senior official. The company’s global CFO Martial Gil, however, did not disclose current revenue figures or provide a timeline for achieving the target. Hansgrohe also stated that it does not plan to invest i

Benzoville Brings Spanish Luxury Hardware Brand Mestre to India India: Benzoville has introduced Spanish brand Mestre’s handcrafted hardware collection in India, reflecting the growing emphasis on detail-led design in premium interiors. The collection includes door hardware, bathroom fittings, and accessories crafted with semi-precious stones such as quartz, tiger’s eye, malachite and lapis lazuli, along with Swarovski crystals and 24-carat gold plating. Positioned as “fine j

UK Government Announces EUR 142 Million Support Package for Ceramics Sector UK: The UK Government has announced a EUR 142 million support package for the ceramics sector as part of wider measures aimed at supporting industrial resilience and manufacturing. The funding will support capital investment in energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects, while also providing operational assistance for eligible manufacturers facing increased costs. The scheme will be open to UK cer

The Rise of Made in Saudi: Expanding Local Production of Sanitaryware and Tiles Saudi Arabia is increasingly positioning itself as a regional hub for sanitaryware and tiles manufacturing, supported by localization policies, industrial investments, and rapidly expanding construction activity across the Kingdom. This transition closely aligns with the Kingdom’s “Made in Saudi” initiative, launched in March 2021 under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NI

Bathroom AUSTRALIA: Nero Tapware has been named the exclusive distributor of American Standard in Australia. With a legacy spanning more than 150 years, American Standard is globally recognised for its innovation, product quality, and long-standing expertise in bathroom solutions. The partnership represents a strategic expansion for Nero, enabling the company to broaden its portfolio beyond tapware and bathroom accessories to offer more comprehensive bathroom solutions in the

Hiatt Hardware Group Strengthens UK Bathroom Market Position with Acquisition of Lakes Bathrooms UK: Birmingham-based Hiatt Hardware Group has acquired Lakes Bathrooms and Lakes Showering Spaces in a multimillion-pound transaction completed on 18 May 2026. The deal secures more than 120 jobs and expands the group’s workforce to around 200 employees. The acquisition represents a strategic move by Hiatt Hardware to diversify its portfolio beyond hardware and ironmongery into ba

Coram UK Appoints New Managing Director to Drive Growth and Product Innovation UK: Coram UK has appointed David Gannon as Managing Director as the bathroom specialist enters a new phase of growth and product expansion. Bringing nearly 40 years of industry experience, Gannon previously worked with the company as a strategic consultant for 18 months. The appointment coincides with plans to invest more than US$1.16 million (£1 million) in new product development across the Coram

Somany Ceramics Delivers Strong FY26 Earnings Growth and Approves Investment in Manufacturing and Solar Expansion INDIA: Somany Ceramics reported a strong financial performance in FY26, with consolidated net profit rising 27.8% year-on-year to US$7.7 million (INR 7,407 lakh), compared with US$6 million (INR 5,798 lakh) in FY25. Consolidated revenue increased to US$291.9 million (INR 280,116 lakh), up from US$278.1 million (INR 266,778 lakh), while earnings per share also impr

HORNBACH Group Reports Robust Performance and Continues Strategic Expansion GERMANY: HORNBACH Group reported solid results for FY2025/26 despite a challenging consumer environment and rising costs. Net sales increased by 3.8% to approximately US$ 7.2 billion, supported by strong performance in its DIY retail business and a 7.1% increase in online sales. Market shares expanded across key European markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech

Bathroom Villeroy & Boch reported a satisfactory performance in the first quarter of 2026 despite operating in a difficult market environment influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainty. The company experienced a decline in revenue, mainly due to the divestment of its northern European Gustavsberg and Vatette businesses along with unfavorable currency movements. However, underlying demand trends remained relatively stable on an adjusted basis.