Villeroy & Boch Restructures its Management Team FRANCE: Villeroy & Boch is reshaping its management structure as Chairwoman of the Executive Board Gabi Schupp steps down after the Annual General Meeting for personal reasons. Her departure follows the successful integration of Ideal Standard and broader transformation efforts that have strengthened the group’s strategic position. The company will continue executing its existing strategy under a streamlined four-member Executi

Roca Partners with Graha Bangunan Blitar to Expand Market Reach Indonesia: Graha Bangunan Blitar has entered into a partnership with Roca to expand the availability of sanitary products in Blitar and surrounding areas. The collaboration is aimed at strengthening distribution networks and supporting demand from the construction sector, including architects, contractors and other professionals. The initiative aligns with ongoing activity in the property sector, where access to

Kvik Opens New Studio in Cologne as Part of Germany Expansion Germany: Kvik is expanding its presence in Germany with the opening of a new studio in Cologne on 6 May 2026. Located in the city centre on Hohenstaufenring, the showroom will cover around 160 square metres and will display kitchen systems along with storage solutions, bathroom furniture, wardrobe concepts and items from the company’s Living Collection, including dining tables, chairs and wall shelving. The Cologne

Gujarat Gas Reduces PNG Prices for Morbi Ceramic Units India: Gujarat Gas Ltd has reduced the price of piped natural gas (PNG) supplied to ceramic manufacturers in Morbi following industry concerns. The price has been lowered from INR 88 per cubic metre (approximately USD 1.05) to INR 77 per cubic metre (approximately USD 0.92) after negotiations. Despite the reduction, PNG remains around 48 percent more expensive than propane-LPG at INR 52 per standard cubic metre (approxima

Roca Partners with Graha Bangunan Blitar to Expand Market Reach in Indonesia Indonesia: Graha Bangunan Blitar has partnered with Roca to expand the availability of sanitary products in Blitar and nearby areas. The collaboration aims to strengthen distribution and support demand from the construction sector by offering a wider range of sanitary solutions for residential and project-based developments. The initiative reflects ongoing activity in the property sector, where acces

Launches PE Piping Plant India: Geberit India has commenced production at its newly inaugurated PE piping plant and testing facility in Pune, marking a significant step in strengthening its manufacturing footprint in the country. The facility, inaugurated on April 1, 2026, reflects a strategic investment to enhance local production capabilities and respond more effectively to the growing demand for high-quality piping systems in India. The inauguration ceremony was attended b

Why DIY Channel Lags Behind in the Philippines The perception and adoption of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) practices vary markedly between Asian and Western markets, driven by differences in cultural norms, economic conditions, and market structures. In Europe, DIY is deeply embedded in a culture of self-reliance and home improvement, where consumers are motivated by creativity, cost efficiency, and a long-standing tradition of hands-on maintenance. This behaviour is further enabled

Renovation Spending Holds Firm as Homeowners Prioritise Long-Term Living Spaces in 2026 Outlook USA: Home renovation activity in the United States remained strong in 2025, with 54% of homeowners undertaking projects, according to the Houzz & Home Study 2026. Median spending stayed at $20,000, although high-end renovations increased, with the top 10% reaching $150,000. However, planned spending for 2026 has softened to $15,000, reflecting a more cautious outlook. The study hig

SANHA GmbH & Co. KG Reports Modest Revenue Growth and Strong Margins in 2025 GERMANY: SANHA GmbH & Co. KG recorded a slight revenue increase of around 1% to US$ 146.9 million (€124.9 million) in 2025, supported by strong performance in refrigeration, industrial applications, and growth across Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and the United States. However, domestic demand in Germany remained weak due to low construction activity, despite some improvement. Profitability remained s

TOTO Japan: TOTO announced that it will gradually resume accepting new orders for its unit bath products starting April 20, 2026, following improved visibility in raw material procurement. The company had previously restricted orders due to supply uncertainties, but recent developments have allowed it to better assess material availability and restart operations in a phased manner. The decision reflects easing supply constraints in key inputs used for bathroom products. Howev

Norcros UK: Norcros plc expects reported revenue to grow by approximately 10% to around GBP 393 million (about USD 490-495 million) for the financial year ending April 2026, compared to GBP 355.8 million (around USD 440-445 million) in the previous year. This growth is primarily supported by the acquisition of Fibo and market share gains, while like for like revenue growth remains limited at around 0.5%, reflecting subdued underlying demand. New build activity continues to re

Morbi Ceramic industry India: There are around 142 ceramic units in Morbi, Gujarat, that are currently operational following disruptions caused by global energy supply constraints. The sector was significantly impacted by volatility in liquefied natural gas supply linked to geopolitical tensions, which led to rising fuel costs and forced several units to suspend operations from mid-March. Prior to the disruption, about 377 units were using piped natural gas, while nearly 415

RAK Ceramics Maintains Operations and Pricing Amid Regional Conditions UAE: RAK Ceramics has stated that it will continue operations across the United Arab Emirates and the wider region without disruption, maintaining access across its retail and project channels. The company indicated that it will not increase prices despite ongoing geopolitical conditions, with a focus on maintaining product availability and service continuity for customers, partners and stakeholders. The c

Clas Ohlson Reports 11% Increase in Turnover SWITZERLAND: Clas Ohlson reported an 11% year-on-year increase in turnover for March 2026, reaching SEK 902 million (US$83.1 million). The Swedish home improvement retailer said 8% of the growth came from organic sales, while acquisitions contributed 2%, with no material currency impact. For the period from May 2025 to March 2026, total revenue rose 7% to SEK 11.6 billion (US$1.07 billion). Organic growth contributed 9%, acquisitio

Nero Tapware Secures Exclusive Australian Distribution Rights for American Standard Bathroom Solutions AUSTRALIA: Nero Tapware has been appointed the exclusive Australian distributor for American Standard, expanding its presence beyond tapware and bathroom accessories into broader bathroom solutions. The partnership strengthens Nero’s product offering in the Australian market by adding a globally recognized brand with more than 150 years of heritage in bathroom innovation and

New Ceramic Plant Set to Strengthen Ethiopia’s Domestic Production ETHOPIA: A new ceramic manufacturing plant in Ethiopia is set to begin production within three weeks, marking a significant boost to the country’s domestic building materials sector. Built by Baijia Ceramic Manufacturing in Tulefa, about 65 km from Addis Ababa, the facility was developed with an investment of US$50 million and spans 30 hectares. The factory is expected to produce between 35,000 and 50,000 squa

PT Aspirasi Hidup Indonesia Tbk Accelerates Expansion and Diversifies Portfolio in 2025 INDONESIA: PT Aspirasi Hidup Indonesia Tbk strengthened its retail footprint and diversified its business portfolio in 2025, marking a key year in its transformation strategy. The company opened 27 new AZKO stores, expanding into 15 new regions including eastern Indonesia, bringing its total network to 265 stores across 90 cities. It also launched a new affordable home and lifestyle brand,

Energy Star Program USA: The U.S. Department of Energy is set to take over the Energy Star program, a move that could reshape its funding structure and better align its rating tiers with other federal standards. As of March 3, the program has been transferred from the Environmental Protection Agency under a memorandum of agreement, designating the DOE as the lead agency. The agreement states that all Energy Star-related activities—including partnership agreements, trademarks,

Raw material USA: Donald Trump has issued an executive proclamation revising how Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminium, and copper are calculated. However, according to Stan Kolbe of the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), the change offers limited relief for contractors already facing rising material costs, particularly for aluminium and specialty steel. Kolbe noted that while the revised tariff structure may alter calculation methods

Home Depot USA: The Home Depot is set to expand its presence across the U.S. in 2026 with the addition of 12 new stores, covering more than 1.6 million square feet of retail space across eight states. Texas will see the highest number of openings with four stores, followed by Florida with two, while Arizona, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah will each host new locations. Despite a broader trend of retailers reducing physical store networks, the company is st