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

Nordic Climate Group Netherlands: Nordic Climate Group has acquired Ten Have Installatie B.V., an Amsterdam-based company specialising in the design, installation, and maintenance of cooling, heating, and air handling systems. Founded in 2002, the company has established a presence in the commercial segment, serving sectors such as automotive, retail, and real estate. Following the acquisition, Nordic Climate Group has expanded its footprint in the Netherlands to 14 companies

ASHRAE US: The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council and ASHRAE have signed a three-year agreement to collaborate on advancing the adoption of natural refrigerants. The partnership focuses on research, knowledge sharing, workforce development, and education to support the transition toward lower global warming refrigerant solutions. The collaboration combines ASHRAE’s expertise in technical standards, research, and training with NASRC’s industry network, which incl

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

Ban on Natural Gas Appliance US: The San Francisco  Bay Area Air District has mandated a phase-out of natural gas appliances, restricting water heaters from January 2027 and furnaces from 2029, impacting approximately 2.95 million households in the San Francisco Bay Area. The regulation targets nitrogen oxide emissions, although residential space and water heating contribute only around 5% of total emissions in the state, indicating a relatively limited share compared to tra

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

Home Depot If its bid to acquire a leading wholesaler goes through, The Home Depot would rapidly emerge as a significant force in HVAC distribution. Its subsidiary, SRS Distribution Inc., recently revealed plans to acquire Mingledorff’s Inc., a Georgia-based distributor specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical equipment and supplies. Currently privately held, Mingledorff’s operates 42 locations across five states in the South and Southeast and reportedly surpassed $1 bi

Room Air Conditioner Prices in India Rise 5% Compared to Last Year INDIA: Room air-conditioner prices in India are expected to rise about 5% this summer compared with last year, as manufacturers face higher input costs and tighter energy-efficiency regulations. Companies including Blue Star Limited said rising commodity prices, new energy labelling norms taking effect from January 2026, and global supply pressures are driving the increase. Industry executives estimate raw mat

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