Boiling taps Quooker UK, a manufacturer of boiling water taps, has officially entered the commercial market as part of a strategy to expand its presence in the UK office sector. The company previously supplied products to a limited number of offices but is now targeting the commercial channel as a dedicated growth area. According to Managing Director Stephen Johnson, Quooker has established a separate team of commercial specialists to develop the new channel independently fro

Wholesale market USA: According to a study by the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), HVACR wholesale distribution in the U.S. directly supports more than 100,000 jobs and contributes nearly $33 billion in annual economic output. HARDI’s study, Keeping America Comfortable: A Baseline Economic Impact Analysis of HVACR Wholesale Distribution Across All 50 States, found that the sector supports 101,817 jobs, generates $32.9 billion in ec

Distribution Distribution major Ferguson Enterprises Inc. reported solid second-quarter sales despite an uncertain economic environment, a sluggish US residential market and challenging market conditions in Canada. During an August 10 earnings call, CEO Kevin Murphy and CFO Bill Brundage expressed confidence in the company’s outlook for the remainder of the year. Ferguson raised its guidance and now expects mid-single-digit sales growth in 2026, compared with its previous exp

Heat pump UK: North Devon College has opened a specialist heat pump training centre at its Sticklepath campus in partnership with heating technology manufacturer Vaillant Group UK. The Low Carbon Training Centre will provide apprentices with training on the latest heat pump technologies, while also offering upskilling courses for existing plumbing and heating professionals. The centre is Vaillant’s only training facility in South West England outside Bristol and one of only f

bathroom store India’s luxury bathroom market is increasingly shifting towards products that combine functionality with design, aesthetics, technology and personalization. GADOTT, the luxury bathware brand of VMS Bathware, is seeking to capitalize on this trend through design-focused products tailored to the requirements of Indian consumers. The brand currently operates through around 10 dealers, primarily in North India, along with an experience centre in New Delhi. It plans

ceramics Jaipur Capital, a strategic investment and holding platform, has acquired the manufacturing business and selected assets of Global Ceramics Private Limited through an asset transfer transaction. Manufacturing operations will be carried out through Melozzo Living Limited, a bathroom and home solutions company. As part of the transaction, Global Ceramics has transferred its industrial land, manufacturing facility, plant and machinery and other agreed business assets to

Public Handwashing Study Highlights Gaps in Plumbing Performance USA: The 2026 Clean Hands Index, based on more than 350 handwashing experiences across 240 public facilities and feedback from over 2,800 respondents, found that only 7.1% met all five criteria for an effective handwashing experience. The research assessed touch free soap dispensing, touch free faucets, warm water, hygienic hand drying and hands free exits. The findings highlight the gap between individual plumb

US Heat Pump Demand Remains Resilient After Tax Credit Ends USA: US heat pump shipments continued to increase in 2026 despite the expiry of the federal US$2,000 consumer tax credit at the end of 2025. Data through June showed no significant decline in shipments, suggesting that factors such as climate, electricity prices, replacement demand and the need for combined heating and cooling solutions are supporting purchases. Industry investment has also increased, with wider prod

A2L Refrigerants Drive Changes in US VRF System Design USA: The transition from R 410A to mildly flammable A2L refrigerants such as R 32 is changing VRF system design in the US. Manufacturers and contractors are placing greater focus on refrigerant charge, room size, leak detection, shut off valves, ventilation and early coordination between project teams. These changes have increased design complexity, equipment costs and training requirements for contractors. However, indus

Kyrgyzstan Introduces Six Month Restrictions on Selected Chinese Building Material Imports KYRGYZSTAN: Kyrgyzstan has imposed a temporary six month restriction on imports of selected building materials from third countries, with the exact product list yet to be published. The measure could affect Chinese suppliers, which are major sources of prefabricated structures, processed stone, refractory materials, ceramic tiles and sanitaryware. China accounted for around 91% of Kyrgy

German Wholesale Prices Rise GERMANY: German wholesale prices increased by 6.8% year on year in August 2026, marking their fastest annual rise since February 2023. The increase was largely driven by higher energy and raw material costs linked to the conflict in Iran and the wider Middle East. Petroleum product prices rose 36.1%, while chemical product prices increased 13.6%. Wholesale prices also rose 0.9% from July. The rise adds to inflationary pressure in Germany, with con

Greece Construction Growth Moderates GREECE: Greece’s construction output increased 7.1% year on year in Q2 2026, slowing from 16.4% growth in Q1. The moderation was mainly due to a 10.7% decline in civil engineering activity, following growth in the previous quarter. Residential and non-residential building construction grew 17.6%, compared with 18.9% in Q1, while specialised construction activities increased 16.1%. On a quarterly basis, construction output rose 30.6%, rever

Veto Group Acquires Termotehnika in Slovenia Slovenia: Slovenian heating and plumbing equipment wholesaler Veto Group has acquired local peer Termotehnika, according to Cerha Hempel Slovenia, which advised Veto Group on the transaction. The deal brings together two Slovenian businesses involved in the distribution of heating, cooling, ventilation, plumbing and bathroom solutions. No financial details of the transaction were disclosed. Termotehnika, based in Novo Mesto, was pr

For decades, India's air conditioning market was largely concentrated in metropolitan centres such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. ⁣ The next wave of demand is coming from smaller cities, where rising incomes, rapid urbanisation, and intensifying heat are making air conditioning a household necessity, rather than a luxury. As these markets mature, India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are set to become the country’s next billion-dollar cooling opportunity.

TECE Appoints Ashley Shires as UK Managing Director UK: German sanitary solutions manufacturer TECE has announced the appointment of Ashley Shires as its new UK managing director, effective 21 September 2026. Shires has more than 40 years of experience in the bathroom industry, including 14 years as managing director of SIAMP. His career has included work with UK and international bathroom manufacturers, with experience in commercial strategy and business development. Comment

Hib Joins Commercial Interiors UK UK: Bathroom specialist hib has joined Commercial Interiors UK, the UK trade association for the commercial interiors sector, to develop industry partnerships and expand its presence in commercial markets. Commercial Interiors UK represents more than 200 accredited manufacturers and suppliers across areas including furniture, lighting, fabrics, flooring, bathroom fittings and other interior products, serving sectors such as hospitality, workp

Siamp UK Appoints Alex Holcroft as Managing Director UK: Siamp UK has appointed Alex Holcroft as managing director, effective 1 September 2026. Holcroft has experience across sales, commercial management, product development and go-to-market strategy within the UK kitchen and bathroom industry. He previously worked at Siamp UK as product manager from 2017 to 2019 and later served as sales director at Woodland Furniture Group, where he was involved in customer acquisition, pro

Neptune to Open Showroom at Fenwick Newcastle UK: British home and lifestyle brand Neptune will open a 4,000 sq ft showroom at Fenwick Newcastle in October 2026. The opening will mark Neptune’s first store within a department store and Fenwick Newcastle’s largest concession to date. The showroom will feature room sets covering living, dining, kitchen and bedroom spaces, along with a Design Library offering materials, colours, fabrics and finishes. An in-house design service w

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