Sales Growth in FY2025 Germany: The Würth Group reported record sales growth of approximately EUR 20.7 billion (USD 22.4 billion) in FY2025, representing 2.3% year-on-year growth, or 3.2% growth at constant currency, while maintaining a stable operating result of EUR 940 million before tax (USD 1.02 billion). Sales in Germany reached nearly EUR 8.0 billion (USD 8.6 billion), up 0.8%, while international sales rose 3.3% to EUR 12.7 billion (USD 13.7 billion), supported by stro

Support Smart Energy Transition Netherlands: ABN AMRO is providing EUR 10 million (USD 10.8 million) in financing to Quatt, a manufacturer of smart home energy products, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition in the Netherlands. The financing Support Smart Energy Transition solutions such as heat pumps, home batteries and energy management software, helping address grid congestion and enabling cleaner, smarter and more affordable household ene

Strong Sales Growth In 2025 Switzerland: The Geberit Group achieved solid performance in 2025, reporting currency-adjusted net sales growth of 4.8%, significantly strong sales growth above overall market development, despite a challenging environment. In Swiss francs, net sales increased by 2.5% to CHF 3,163 million (USD 3,480 million), with negative currency effects amounting to CHF 72 million (USD 79 million). Growth was driven by strong volumes supported by newly launched

Manchester Training Academy UK: Daikin has opened a new training academy in Manchester, United Kingdom, featuring hands-on training rooms, a realistic house setup, and virtual reality facilities to support heat pump and low-carbon heating skills. The academy offers product and industry-accredited training for installers, social housing providers and developers, supporting the growing demand for low-carbon heating and skills development in the region. Source: HPM

Completes First Phase of Manufacturing India: Copeland has completed the first phase of its ₹500 crore investment (USD 445,000 million) at its Atit manufacturing facility in India, strengthening its local manufacturing footprint. The expansion enables localized production of scroll hermetic compressors, making Copeland the only company manufacturing scroll compressors in India, and was marked by the first shipment of 5 HP India-built scroll compressors. This milestone highlig

Dunelm Sees Solid H1 UK: Homewares retailer Dunelm reported a “solid first half” performance in a challenging UK retail environment, while signalling that full-year profits are likely to come in at the lower end of expectations following a softer second quarter. For the period ended 27 December 2025, total sales reached GBP 926m (USD 1,176m), up from GBP 894m (USD 1,135m) in the same period last year. Performance was supported by a strong first quarter, but trading weakened i

Kitchen GERMANY: The BLANCO Group is gearing up for the future through key leadership changes. The company’s strategic shift from an accessory supplier to a comprehensive system provider for the kitchen water segment will be further advanced internationally and scaled efficiently. Effective 1 May 2026, CFO Rüdiger Böhle will succeed Frank Gfrörer as CEO of BLANCO. Gfrörer, who assumed leadership of the BLANC & FISCHER family holding last May, will now serve as Chair of the BL

HVAC USA: Lennox is investing in its commercial HVAC business to boost product availability, expand distribution capabilities, and enhance the overall customer experience, supporting the needs of today’s commercial contractors, engineers, and building owners. The company recently expanded its commercial distribution network with the opening of its largest Regional Distribution Center in Edgerton, Kansas. Spanning 763,000 square feet, the facility significantly increases dist

Bosch GERMANY: The Bosch Home Comfort Group is further aligning its management structure to enhance regional customer focus and support global growth. Effective January 1, 2026, Maria Zesch and Stephan Lampel will join the Global Executive Board. Zesch will lead the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) sales region, while Lampel will take over responsibility for commercial functions, succeeding Thomas Volz. These appointments reinforce the company’s focus on addressing dive

Building UK: Between April and August 2025, the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Pilot Testing Programme was applied to 205 projects from 134 owners, covering a diverse range of building types and sectors. Insights from this pilot are now shaping Version 1 of the Standard in preparation for market launch. The pilot welcomed applications from buildings across the UK at various stages of development, from early design to post-construction. Projects included both high-perf

houses UK: The four-year framework helps housing providers and local authorities deliver large-scale retrofit programmes aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in homes across the UK. Developed in line with Procure Plus’ four-pillar approach to social housing procurement, focused on cost efficiency, quality and compliance, innovation, and social value, the framework emphasizes skills development, supply chain resilience, and positive outcomes for resident

Heating network UK: A new regulatory technical requirement for heat networks is set to be introduced on 27 January, promising both practical and long-term benefits. The Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), expected in 2026, will ensure all heat networks meet consistent performance standards. Sophie Sibley, Principal Engineer at Synergie Environ, welcomes the development, noting that it will strengthen confidence in the quality of the UK’s heat networks. HNTAS bui

Climate change TAJISKISTAN: Tajikistan has taken a significant step in addressing climate change by signing an agreement to gradually phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), highly potent greenhouse gases used in cooling systems. The deal was signed on January 12 in Dushanbe by the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), according to The Caspian Post citing Tajik media. The agreement launches the “Inte

Bathroom USA: Luxury Products Group (LPG), a leading buying group for independent luxury bath, kitchen, lighting, and hardware showrooms, has reported 10% year-over-year growth, outperforming the broader market during a year marked by significant consolidation and disruption within the buying group sector. While many in the industry faced mergers, shifting alliances, and economic uncertainty, LPG maintained steady performance through strong member engagement, disciplined ven

Magnet Sold as Nobia Exits UK Operations UK: Magnet, a kitchen fixtures retailer, has been sold to UK-based private equity firm Alteri Partners for a peppercorn fee of 0 pounds (0 EUR). The transaction forms part of the exit of Swedish kitchen group Nobia from the UK market and includes the brands Gower, Commodore and CIE. As part of the agreement, Alteri Partners has assumed responsibility for Magnet’s store lease obligations, amounting to just over 60 million pounds (EUR 69

Heat Pump Adoption in Eastern Europe Government subsidies have been a key policy lever driving heat pump adoption across Europe. In Eastern Europe, where household incomes are generally lower than in western Europe and legacy heating systems remain widespread, financial support has been particularly important in lowering entry barriers. At the same time, energy policies have also played a supportive role, as EU-level legislation such as the Fit for 55 package, the Revised Ene

Bauhaus Partners with Mirakl to Launch Online Marketplace GERMANY: German DIY market leader Bauhaus has formed a strategic partnership with French technology start-up Mirakl to develop its own online marketplace, which went live in August 2025. Using Mirakl’s marketplace technology, Bauhaus aims to significantly expand its online assortment by adding thousands of products from third-party sellers, strengthening its digital offering and customer choice. Founded in 2012, Mirakl

Austrian Residential Construction Shows Strong Signs of Recovery AUSTRIA: New residential construction in Austria is clearly moving into a recovery phase, driven mainly by strong growth in detached and semi-detached housing. According to Statistics Austria and BRANCHENRADAR, approvals for new residential units rose by 23.1% in the first three quarters of 2025, with a sharp 42.3% increase in the third quarter alone. Private households are once again investing heavily, supporti

First Supply Broadens Chicagoland Footprint with Able Distributors Acquisition USA: First Supply has strengthened its position in the Chicagoland market by acquiring Able Distributors, an established heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) supplier with four branch locations in Chicago, South Chicago, Northfield and McHenry. The deal supports First Supply’s long-term growth strategy in a key Midwest region and adds 48 new team members to its workforce. Able Distributors, know

Solar Panels and Heat Pumps Set to Become Costlier in 2026 USA: The expiration of the 30% federal tax credit for residential solar and battery systems at the end of 2025 will make home electrification more expensive for many homeowners in 2026, even if equipment list prices remain unchanged. Leased systems keep credits until the end of 2027, and new lease-to-own and prepaid-lease models are emerging so installers can pass savings to customers. Added costs from tariffs and new

Punjab to Launch Large-Scale Affordable Housing Programme INDIA: The Punjab government is set to begin construction of 37,000 housing units under the Punjab Affordable Housing Programme (PAHP), a World Bank-funded initiative worth US$250 million over five years. Of the total, 20,000 homes will be built on state-owned land using World Bank financing, while the remainder will be delivered through private sector participation. Preparatory work is well advanced, with 41 governmen

Philippines Expands Housing and Urban Development Agenda for 2026 PHILIPPINES: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has outlined an expanded housing and urban development strategy for 2026 under its recalibrated Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) programme. The revised approach is now beneficiary-focused, allowing households to choose between vertical housing, house-and-lot units, or lot-only options. DHSUD aims to deliver 90,000 housing u

Canada and UAE to Begin Economic Partnership Negotiations CANADA: Canada and the UAE will begin negotiations next month on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu told Reuters. Ottawa hopes the talks will deepen ties with the Gulf and attract investment particularly into liquefied natural gas and green-energy projects, part of a broader strategy to diversify exports away from the United States amid tariff pressures. Abu Dhab

Portugal Approves 2026 Budget with Strong Emphasis on Housing and Infrastructure PORTUGAL: Portugal’s parliament has approved the 2026 budget, allocating US$7.5 billion (€6.9bn) to housing and transport infrastructure as part of a broader plan to support growth while maintaining fiscal discipline. The centre-right minority government projects GDP growth of around 2.3% and a fourth consecutive budget surplus, alongside a reduction in public debt to about 88% of GDP. Total expe