Ideal Bathrooms Joins Bathroom Association UK: Ideal Bathrooms has joined the Bathroom Association as a new member, adding a distributor perspective to the trade association’s membership. The company has supported the UK bathroom market for more than 40 years and supplies more than 20,000-bathroom products across categories including showering, brassware, furniture, ceramics, heating and accessories. The association said the membership will bring insight into product demand,

SCGD Unveils Five-Year Growth Plan, Targets US$136 Million EBITDA by 2031 THAILAND: SCG Decor Public Company Limited has unveiled a five-year growth strategy targeting Baht 4.5 billion (~US$136.1 million) in EBITDA and a twofold increase in EPS by 2031. The company plans to expand beyond tiles and sanitaryware into products such as SPC flooring, smart toilets, doors and windows, and kitchen and bathroom furniture, with sales from new product categories growing more than 90% o

Koçtaş Joins International DIY Association Edra/Ghin TURKEY: Turkish home improvement retailer Koçtaş has joined the international DIY association Edra/Ghin, strengthening its presence within the global home improvement network. Founded in 1955 as a wholesale business, Koçtaş opened its first retail store in İzmir in 1996 and began expanding nationwide in 1998. The company has operated as a joint venture between Turkish conglomerate Koç Holding and UK-based Kingfisher since 2

BMS Holdings Expands Northern Malaysia Reach Through Penang Joint Venture MALAYSIA: Malaysia’s BMS Holdings Bhd plans to establish a 60:40 joint venture with the shareholders of Penang-based Wee Tatt Traders Sdn Bhd to expand its tile and building materials distribution network across the northern states. The proposed JV, Jubin BMS (Wee Tatt) Sdn Bhd, will distribute tiles, ceramic and porcelain products, sanitary ware and other building materials. BMS will contribute RM3 mil

EU Commission Proposes New Framework to Tackle Housing Crisis EUROPE: The European Commission has proposed new legislation aimed at helping EU member states and cities address housing affordability and availability challenges. The framework would establish common rules for housing-related measures while leaving housing policy decisions to national and local authorities. It would provide clearer guidelines for restricting short-term rentals, second homes and long-term vacant p

Watsco to Acquire the Granite Group, Expanding Plumbing and HVAC Distribution USA: Watsco has agreed to acquire The Granite Group, a distributor of plumbing and HVAC products with ~US$500 million in annual sales across seven Northeastern US states. The acquisition will add 82 locations to Watsco’s growing plumbing distribution network and further strengthen its presence in the fragmented North American HVAC market. The Granite Group serves residential, commercial and industri

USA Finalises High Duties on Solar Imports from India, Indonesia and Laos USA: The US Commerce Department has finalised steep anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar cells and panels imported from India, Indonesia and Laos, citing unfair pricing and government subsidies. Anti-dumping duties were set at 123.04% for Indian producers, 94.36% for Indonesian producers and 65.43% for Lao producers, while countervailing duties vary by producer and country. The investigation

China Home Prices Remain Weak, Weighing on Economic Growth CHINA: China’s housing market continued to face pressure in August, with new home prices declining 0.1% month-on-month, marking a third consecutive monthly fall. The annual decline narrowed to 3.0% from 3.2% in July, while prices in tier-one cities increased 0.1%, contrasting with declines in tier-two and tier-three markets. Despite signs of stabilisation in major cities, a broad-based recovery remains unlikely in the

Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs Canada: Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on US imports worth C$27.6 billion (US$20 billion), effective September 8, 2026, escalating trade tensions between the two countries. Tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% apply to products targeted by US Section 338 and Section 232 measures, with rates matched to the corresponding US duties. This includes some building and construction materials with 50% duties, such as floor coverings of plastics. On th

US HVAC Shipments Rise 20.1% Year-on-Year in July 2026 U.S.: US shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps reached 916,830 units in July 2026, down 10.43% from June but up 20.1% year-on-year. Central air-conditioner shipments increased 22.3% to 503,151 units, while air-source heat pump shipments rose 17.6% to 413,679 units. According to the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, year-to-date combined shipments increased 5.5% to 5,633,518 u

Samsung and LG Strengthen Electric HVAC and B2B Smart Home Presence South Korea/Saudi Arabia: Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are expanding their presence in electric HVAC and smart home markets, with Samsung showcasing its EHS All-in-One and EHS Heat Pump Boiler in South Korea and LG opening its first B2B-dedicated AI Home experience space in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Samsung’s EHS Heat Pump Boiler achieves a SCOP of 4.9, provides heating at temperatures as low as -25°C a

Beijer Ref to Acquire 75% Stake in Greek HVAC Distributor FG Europe Greece: Beijer Ref has signed a binding agreement to acquire 75% of the shares in FG Europe, a Greece-based HVAC distributor founded in 1958 and headquartered in Athens, with an option to acquire the remaining shares. FG Europe has an annual turnover of approximately SEK 1.4 billion (approximately USD 148 million) and an established presence across the Balkans, the UK, Ireland and Turkey, serving residential