Hindware Expands Retail Focus Amid Shifts in India’s Bathroom and Home Solutions Market India: Hindware is adjusting its retail strategy as consumer preferences in India’s bathroom and home décor segment evolve towards design-led choices and integrated technology. The company is placing greater emphasis on experience-driven retail, a broad product portfolio across price points, and an extensive distribution network. Sanitaryware remains central to the business, alongside fauc

Roca Group Opens First Design Gallery in India with Dual-Brand Showcase in Delhi India: Roca Group has opened the Roca Delhi Gallery, marking the group’s first design-led gallery in India and adding the country to its international network of cultural spaces. The new gallery brings together Roca and LAUFEN under one roof, presenting curated bathroom environments focused on contemporary living, technology and design. Designed by architecture studio Ultraconfidentiel, the space

Thai Firms Partner to Reuse Eggshell Waste in Sanitaryware Production Thailand: Thai firm Siam Sanitary Ware Co., Ltd., operating under the COTTO brand, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited to explore the reuse of eggshell waste from food production in the manufacture of sanitaryware. Under the agreement, eggshell byproducts from CPF hatchery operations in Saraburi Province will be supplied to COTTO for use as an alternat

Air Conditioning Qatar’s climate is among the harshest in the world, with summer temperatures regularly rising above 45°C. In such conditions, air conditioning is not a luxury but a necessity. AC systems designed to operate efficiently and reliably at extreme ambient temperatures, often above 50°C, are therefore essential. Gulf nations use special performance ratings such as T3 at 46°C and T4 at 48°C for AC testing, and manufacturers build units to function continuously well

Appoints New Management Team Germany: Kermi GmbH, has announced a change in management following the departure of its former managing directors, with Kerstin Sticht and Jan Kujaw appointed to lead the company. Sticht, who joined Kermi in 2001, has held several senior roles including Head of Strategic Planning and Chief Marketing Officer, where she strengthened the group’s brand strategy across European HVAC markets. Currently serving as Chief People Officer (CPO) of the MBT C

Airvance Group Acquires Majority Stake Austria: Airvance Group Acquires Majority Stake in Austrian Heat Pump Distributor IPK as Austrian distributor IPK, which specializes in air/air and air/water heat pump systems and distributes brands including LG and Hisense, signed an agreement to sell a majority stake in its share capital to the Airvance Group, a specialist in ventilation and indoor air quality solutions for residential and tertiary buildings. Under the transaction, the

Change Trade Name to “GENERAL Inc.” Global: Fujitsu General Air Conditioning will change its name to General Inc HVAC Solutions Ltd as part of a broader global rebranding exercise after the acquisition of the parent company by Paloma Rheem Holdings. The Japanese parent company completed the sale of its air conditioning business in August, and in October Paloma announced that the group would be renamed General Inc. The name change will be rolled out across all domestic and ov

Saudi Ceramics Opens New Showroom Saudi Arabia: Saudi Ceramic Co. (Saudi Ceramics) announced that it opened a new retail showroom on Dec. 18 in Al Hofuf, Eastern Province, offering its range of ceramic and porcelain tiles, sanitaryware, and water heaters. In a statement to Tadawul, the company said the financial impact of the new showroom is expected to be reflected starting from the first quarter of 2026. The opening forms part of Saudi Ceramics’ retail expansion strategy ai

DIY The perception and adoption of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) practices differ significantly between Asian and Western countries, largely due to cultural, economic, and structural factors. In Europe for example, DIY is deeply rooted in a culture of self-sufficiency and home improvement, where consumers are motivated by creativity, cost-saving, and a strong tradition of hands-on maintenance. Retail infrastructure in Western markets also supports this behaviour through extensive DIY

Bathroom INDIA: GROHE has broadened its retail presence in India by entering the rapidly expanding ceramics segment with the launch of the Essence Ceramics Collection. This initiative represents a strategic move as the brand strengthens its integrated bathroom portfolio for the Indian market. By extending the Essence range to include sanitary ceramics, GROHE aims to cater to consumers and channel partners seeking cohesive, end-to-end bathroom solutions from a single brand. In

Kohler Store USA: Kohler Co. is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Kohler Stores with plans to open three new locations in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Salt Lake City, the company announced. Kohler Stores are designed as immersive, interactive spaces where customers can experience a wide range of offerings from Kohler’s brand portfolio, including bathroom and kitchen fixtures, smart home solutions, wellness-focused products, and exclusive collections such as Kohler x Stud

Heat Pump INDIA: The Andhra Pradesh government has partnered with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to implement a pilot air source heat pump (ASHP) project in Araku, with work expected to begin in January 2026. As the state’s first such initiative, the project will cover the design, installation, testing, and commissioning of ASHP systems to meet water and space heating needs at tourist facilities in the region. Situated near Visakhapatnam, Araku has developed into a