Western Chicago Residential HVAC Business Changes Ownership USA: A residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) company serving the western Chicago area has been sold, according to business broker Patrick Lange. The transaction involves a company founded in 1998 that has operated in the local market for over two decades. At the time of sale, the business reported annual revenue of approximately USD 1.53 million (EUR 1.41 million). The sale was completed as par

A. O. Smith Completes Acquisition of Leonard Valve USA: A. O. Smith Corporation has completed the acquisition of Leonard Valve through an all-cash transaction valued at USD 470 million (EUR 430 million), subject to customary adjustments. After accounting for estimated tax benefits, the transaction value is approximately USD 412 million (EUR 377 million) and was financed through borrowing under a new credit agreement. The acquisition expands A. O. Smith’s activities in water m

Rising Copper Costs Likely to Push Air Conditioner Prices Higher India: Consumers planning to purchase air conditioners may face higher prices as copper costs have increased in recent months, raising input expenses for manufacturers. Copper prices recently exceeded USD 12,000 per tonne (EUR 11,000 per tonne), according to market data, adding pressure across categories that rely heavily on the metal. In air conditioners, copper is a key material used in components such as coil

Amber Subsidiaries Secure Approval Under Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme India: Amber Enterprises India stated that its step-down subsidiaries, Ascent K Circuit and Shogini Technoarts, have received formal approval under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme. The approval, granted in early January 2026 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, supports the localisation of electronic components and is intended to strengthen India’s electr

Russia Expects Decline in New Home Sales as Mortgage Rules Tighten Russia: State housing agency of Russia, Dom.RF, expects sales of new built homes to decline in 2026 following tighter Russia mortgage subsidies, despite the housing market avoiding a downturn in the previous year. Dom.RF forecasts new home sales of 21 to 22 million square metres in 2026, valued at RUB 4.5 to 4.6 trillion (USD 55.4 to 56.6 billion; EUR 50.9 to 52.0 billion), representing a fall in both volume a

UK Cold Snap Raises Risk of Heating and Pipe Issues UK: Temperatures across the United Kingdom are forecast to fall below freezing next week, marking a cold start to 2026 following a mild December. British Gas estimates that around 54,000 households may require assistance with heating and hot water systems during the cold period. The company noted that freezing conditions increase the risk of pipes freezing, which can disrupt heating and water supply. During the previous wint

A. O. Smith Shows Resilience and Long-Term Growth Potential Amid Challenges North America: A. O. Smith Corporation reported continued momentum in its North America segment, supported by higher volumes in commercial water heaters and boilers. The company indicated that sales from its North America boiler business are expected to increase by around 4-6 percent in 2025, while sales from the commercial water heater business are projected to rise at a low single-digit rate. The co

Benapole Continues to Decline Bangladesh: Trade between Bangladesh and India through the Benapole land port continued to weaken in FY2024–25 following a change of government, as reciprocal restrictions and political uncertainty weighed on bilateral flows. Bangladesh imported 20.39 lakh tonnes of goods from India via Benapole in FY2024–25, down from 21.14 lakh tonnes in FY2023–24, a decline of 75,746 tonnes. Exports through the port also fell by 75,232 tonnes year-on-year, whi

Early Winter Lifts Heater Demand India: An early and sharper winter significantly altered India’s white goods market, driving consumers toward heating appliances while weakening demand for cooling products just ahead of tighter energy efficiency norms effective from January 1, 2026. Sales in india of heating appliances rose nearly 40% year-on-year in December 2025, while demand for air purifiers increased 30%, with Delhi-NCR contributing nearly three-fourths of purifier sales

Heatwave Warning Issued Australia: Authorities have warned that southeast Australia is facing its most severe heatwave in six years, with maximum temperatures widely forecast to exceed 40°C. Severe heatwave warnings have been issued for parts of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, as well as the entire Australian Capital Territory, driven by a hot air mass moving east across the country. Forecasts indicate that temperatures are expected to reach 41°C in M

High-Efficiency and Low-NOx Heating Systems USA: Starting in 2026, all manufactured water heaters and furnace units installed in Colorado must meet high efficiency standards or ultra-low nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission ratings, aimed at reducing air pollution, improving air quality, and potentially lowering utility bills. Low NOx equipment significantly cuts harmful emissions by drawing combustion air from outside, making it safer for indoor use. While the law does not require

Joins Procure Plus Carbon Tech Framework UK: Procure Plus has appointed Viessmann Climate Solutions to its four-year Framework for the Supply of Low & Zero Carbon Technologies, supporting social housing and public sector projects across retrofit, repairs, maintenance, and new-build activity. The framework, valued at approximately USD 2.0 billion (£1.6bn), provides a compliant route for social housing landlords and public sector organisations to procure materials needed for de