Roca Group Opens First Design Gallery in India with Dual-Brand Showcase in Delhi India: Roca Group has opened the Roca Delhi Gallery, marking the group’s first design-led gallery in India and adding the country to its international network of cultural spaces. The new gallery brings together Roca and LAUFEN under one roof, presenting curated bathroom environments focused on contemporary living, technology and design. Designed by architecture studio Ultraconfidentiel, the space

Thai Firms Partner to Reuse Eggshell Waste in Sanitaryware Production Thailand: Thai firm Siam Sanitary Ware Co., Ltd., operating under the COTTO brand, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited to explore the reuse of eggshell waste from food production in the manufacture of sanitaryware. Under the agreement, eggshell byproducts from CPF hatchery operations in Saraburi Province will be supplied to COTTO for use as an alternat

Saudi Ceramics Opens New Showroom Saudi Arabia: Saudi Ceramic Co. (Saudi Ceramics) announced that it opened a new retail showroom on Dec. 18 in Al Hofuf, Eastern Province, offering its range of ceramic and porcelain tiles, sanitaryware, and water heaters. In a statement to Tadawul, the company said the financial impact of the new showroom is expected to be reflected starting from the first quarter of 2026. The opening forms part of Saudi Ceramics’ retail expansion strategy ai

DIY The perception and adoption of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) practices differ significantly between Asian and Western countries, largely due to cultural, economic, and structural factors. In Europe for example, DIY is deeply rooted in a culture of self-sufficiency and home improvement, where consumers are motivated by creativity, cost-saving, and a strong tradition of hands-on maintenance. Retail infrastructure in Western markets also supports this behaviour through extensive DIY

Bathroom INDIA: GROHE has broadened its retail presence in India by entering the rapidly expanding ceramics segment with the launch of the Essence Ceramics Collection. This initiative represents a strategic move as the brand strengthens its integrated bathroom portfolio for the Indian market. By extending the Essence range to include sanitary ceramics, GROHE aims to cater to consumers and channel partners seeking cohesive, end-to-end bathroom solutions from a single brand. In

Kohler Store USA: Kohler Co. is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Kohler Stores with plans to open three new locations in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Salt Lake City, the company announced. Kohler Stores are designed as immersive, interactive spaces where customers can experience a wide range of offerings from Kohler’s brand portfolio, including bathroom and kitchen fixtures, smart home solutions, wellness-focused products, and exclusive collections such as Kohler x Stud

Bathroom ITALY: Gessi’s trajectory of consistent growth and the strength of an industrial business model defined by continuous evolution have earned it the eighth position in the latest edition of the Mediobanca study, “The Main Italian Companies” , which analyzes 1,084 groups and 2,358 firms. This recognition confirms Gessi’s status as one of the most forward-looking players in the Italian industrial landscape, highlighting its dynamism, robust financial performance, interna

IKEA USA: IKEA is planning to increase the share of products manufactured in the United States as higher tariffs continue to drive up the cost of importing furniture, according to a Reuters report. The move represents a shift for the Swedish furniture retailer, as only around 15% of the products currently sold in its US stores are domestically made, compared with significantly higher levels of local production in regions such as Europe and Asia. IKEA previously operated a man

Ignacio Sánchez Villares Appointed as Managing Director of Leroy Merlin Italia Italy: Leroy Merlin Italia has appointed Ignacio Sánchez Villares as managing director. He moves from leading Leroy Merlin Brazil within the Adeo Group. A long-time executive, Sánchez previously held senior roles in Spain and played a key role in the Akí–Leroy Merlin merger in 2018. Source: DYI+

Middleby to Sell Majority Stake in Residential Kitchen Unit, Including European Brands, for USD 885 Million United States/Europe: Middleby has entered a definitive agreement to sell a 51 percent stake in its Residential Kitchen business to affiliates of 26North Partners, valuing the unit at USD 885 million. As part of the transaction, several European brands, including AGA Rangemaster, previously wholly owned by Middleby, will move under the ownership of 26North Partners. Mid

Full-Year Revenue Growth Boosts Victorian Plumbing United Kingdom: Victorian Plumbing reported a solid performance, with revenue rising 5% to £310m and adjusted EBITDA up 17% to £31.8m, supported by record order volumes of 1.1m. However, adjusted pre-tax profit fell 6% to £21.8m due to higher interest costs linked to a new distribution centre. The group said trading has started positively in the new year. Shares rose 4%, while Shore Capital reiterated its ‘buy’ recommendation

RAK Ceramics Delivers Premium Bathroom Solutions for Landmark Birmingham Development United Kingdom: RAK Ceramics has reinforced its role as a key project partner after supplying high-spec bathroom products for the Queensgate mixed-use development in central Birmingham. Delivered by DRG Interior and Building Solutions, the scheme has transformed a former nightclub and offices into 67 luxury apartments with commercial space. RAK Ceramics provided complete bathroom solutions, i

Confindustria Ceramica Calls on EU to Rethink Carbon Rules to Prevent Deindustrialisation Italy: Confindustria Ceramica has urged the EU to suspend and revise carbon quota mechanisms, warning that current climate policies risk accelerating deindustrialisation in Europe. The Italian ceramics industry says rising ETS costs and sharply higher gas prices are undermining investment, despite €4.3 billion spent on decarbonisation over the past decade. The group is calling for fairer

Alape Basins Integrated into Laufen Portfolio Following Roca Acquisition United Kingdom: Following Roca Group’s acquisition of Alape, the German steel basin brand has been integrated into Laufen, rebranded as Laufen Vitreon Steel, while production and the Goslar factory remain operational. Alape’s furniture line will be discontinued, and some personnel changes have occurred. The move aims to promote Alape globally under Laufen, expanding its premium bathroom offering beyond c

Trone Expands Its Design-Driven Bathroom Portfolio with New Celeste Mixer France: Trone, known for disrupting domestic and semi public toilets, is expanding into the bathroom sector with Celeste, its first monumental washbasin mixer. After “re enchanting the toilet” with its distinctive toilet bowls Icone, Callipyge and the Kaoline control plate, the brand now offers basins, washbasins (Orb and Rituel), and accessories (Trium), and has introduced Celeste a striking 60 cm brus

Grohe UNITED STATES: Grohe has introduced GROHE SPA, a new premium sub-brand focused on “Wellness through Water,” marking its latest move to elevate luxury bathroom experiences. Debuted at the World Architecture Festival in Miami, the brand reflects Grohe’s vision of integrating wellness principles into spatial design, transforming bathrooms into serene, restorative environments where form and water work in harmony. Developed specifically for architects and designers, GROHE S

ROSHN and Geberit sign MoU to support sanitary technology and local manufacturing Saudi Arabia: ROSHN Group has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Geberit International Sales AG to support the development of sustainable sanitary technology and expand local manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia. Under the agreement, Geberit will act as a principal supplier of sanitary products and related technologies for ROSHN’s ongoing and future residential and mixed-u

First Flagship Experience Centre India: Sternhagen, has opened its first flagship experience centre in Delhi, marking a significant step in its India growth journey. Conceptualized and engineered through its German subsidiary, the brand was created to fill a gap in artistic, design-driven bathroom products, built using distinctive 3D facets and Quartz a material positioned as more premium than ceramics. The company leverages German-engineered molds, materials, and processes t

First New Jersey Showroom USA: Innovation Kitchen & Bathroom has entered the New Jersey market with a new 7,000-square-foot showroom at 1796 Route 27 in Edison, marking the company’s first location in the state. The newly opened showroom features kitchen and bath cabinets, countertops, flooring, and bathroom fixtures, and the long-term lease was arranged by NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co., which represented both the landlord and tenant. The company now operates four showrooms and a ware

DIY and Garden Centres Report Continued Decline Germany: The German DIY store association BHB reports that the sector has yet to see a turnaround in 2025, according to the latest GfK Total Store Report. DIY stores in Germany generated EUR 5.04 billion (USD 5.43 billion) in the third quarter, marking a 2.3 percent decline compared to the same period last year, with a 2.2 percent decrease on an adjusted area basis. After nine months, the sector remains below expectations, with