Carrier Appoints Thomas Donato President of Climate Solutions Europe UNITED STATES: Carrier Global Corporation has announced the appointment of Thomas Donato as President of its Climate Solutions Europe segment, succeeding Thomas Heim, who is stepping down from the role. Donato joins Carrier with extensive experience in industrial technology leadership, most recently serving as CEO of Bosch Power Tools and previously holding senior positions at Bosch Rexroth, Rockwell Automat

Uzbekistan and RAK Ceramics Discuss Investment Opportunities in Building Materials Sector Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Umid Shadiev, met with Abdallah Massaad, Group Chief Executive Officer of RAK Ceramics, to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the building materials industry. The discussions focused on expanding investment collaboration, increasing the production of value-added construction materials and introducing modern technologi

Mod-land Expands Localised Supply Chain for Bathroom Vanities in the US USA: Mod-land Inc. has strengthened its North American supply chain by expanding its localised distribution model for bathroom vanities and fixtures in the United States. The company combines manufacturing facilities in the US and Malaysia with more than ten warehouses across the country, enabling faster deliveries and reducing supply chain risks. Serving builders, contractors and developers, Mod-land off

Norcros Reports Higher Revenue and Profit Following Fibo Acquisition United Kingdom: Norcros reported group revenue of GBP 393.4 million (USD 532.0 million) for the 53 weeks ended 5 April 2026, up 10.6% from the previous year. Underlying operating profit increased by 7.9% to GBP 48 million (USD 64.9 million), while cash conversion rose to 116%. Diluted underlying earnings per share increased to 35.8 pence, and the full-year dividend was raised by 8.7%. The company stated that

UK Plumbing Supplies Acquires Fayers Enfield Trade Counter Assets UK: UK Plumbing Supplies has acquired the assets of Fayers Enfield, one of the trade counters previously operated by Fayers Plumbing & Building Supplies. In a letter to suppliers dated 8 June 2026, the company confirmed that Fayers Enfield has become part of its network and will operate under UK Plumbing Supplies’ commercial terms. The acquisition further expands the reach of the UK's largest independent plumbe

JD MALL Expands Hong Kong Presence with First Wan Chai Store and Multi-Store Growth Plan China: JD announced that its first JD MALL store in Hong Kong will officially open in Wan Chai on June 18. The 30,000-square-foot store will offer large and small home appliances, mobile digital products, and newer categories such as smart bathroom products, massage equipment, and whole-home cleaning appliances, operating under a “local sourcing, local sales” model. As part of its Hong Ko

Moderno Home Depot Expands Philippine Footprint Amid Rising Demand for Smart Home Solutions Philippines: Moderno Home Depot is expanding its presence across the Philippines, with a new showroom in Cebu City scheduled to open in the third quarter, adding to its existing branches in Bulacan, Laguna, Quezon City, and Davao City. The expansion comes as demand for connected living solutions continues to rise, with global household penetration of smart home products projected to ex

TOTO Fully Resumes Orders for Prefabricated Bathrooms Following Raw Material Supply Recovery Japan: TOTO will fully resume accepting new orders for prefabricated and modular bathrooms from Tuesday, ending restrictions that were introduced earlier this year after the Iran war disrupted supplies of naphtha-derived material. The company stated that it is returning to normal delivery schedules as the outlook for raw material supplies has improved and upgrades to its ordering syst

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