Moderate Rise in Construction Costs Austria: In 2025, Austria recorded moderate increases in construction costs across both building and infrastructure segments, according to Statistics Austria. Construction costs for residential and settlement construction rose by 2.3 percent compared to 2024, while civil engineering also saw inflationary pressure across all sectors, with road construction costs increasing by 0.3 percent, bridge construction by 1.5 percent, and urban water m

bluu unit Enters Ireland Through Acquisition of Tech Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Germany: Bluu Unit GmbH has expanded its European footprint through the acquisition of Tech Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, an Ireland-based refrigeration and air-conditioning services provider. The transaction strengthens bluu unit’s presence in Ireland, which it identifies as a priority market, and supports its focus on natural refrigerants and data centre solutions. Tech Refrigerati

Sanitary Ware Powerhouse three quarters of 2025, with key indicators, including fixed-asset investment, infrastructure investment, real estate development investment, and total agricultural output value, all ranking first in the province in growth speed. The data was released on January 19 in Guangzhou at a press conference reviewing Guangdong’s development under the 14th Five-Year Plan, 2021 to 2025. Located in eastern Guangdong, Chaozhou is widely known as China’s “Ceramic

Meaco Secures Investment to Support European Expansion UK: Meaco has received a multi-million-pound investment from FourLeaf Capital, marking a new phase in the company’s development. The investment follows a period of growth driven by rising demand for air treatment appliances and an expanding international presence. The partnership is intended to support Meaco’s plans to broaden its product portfolio and increase its reach across European markets, while maintaining a focus

Blackstone Becomes Sole Institutional Investor in AIR USA: Funds managed by Blackstone’s private equity strategy for individual investors have acquired the remaining equity stake in Air Control Concepts from Madison Dearborn Partners, completing a buyout of the latter’s interest. The transaction follows Blackstone’s initial investment in the company in July 2024. As part of the deal, AIR’s founder, President and Chief Executive Officer Brad Hobbs and his family will continue

Enters Bathroom Ventilation Market South Korea: LG Electronics has introduced its first bathroom ventilation product, marking its entry into the home bathroom air management segment. The new LG Puricare Bath Air System expands the company’s home air portfolio following the launch of a residential ventilation system with a total heat exchanger. The move comes amid rising demand for indoor air quality solutions, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, and introduces additiona

Fabtech Raises Stake in Kelvin Air Conditioning to Majority Ownership India: Fabtech Technologies Cleanrooms Limited has completed the acquisition of an additional 9.20 percent stake in Kelvin Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems Private Limited, increasing its total shareholding to 60.53 percent. The cash-based transaction, completed on January 19, 2025, was valued at INR 46.5 million (USD 0.56 million; EUR 0.52 million). The acquisition involved the purchase of 1,380 eq

Furniture Manufacturer Enters Administration UK: Moores Furniture Group, a furniture manufacturer based in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, has entered administration, citing difficult trading conditions. The company, founded in 1947, supplied kitchens to housebuilders, public sector clients and affordable housing developers, and employed more than 450 people. Joint administrators from Interpath have confirmed the sale of the company’s customer list and certain intellectual property

Nordic Climate Group Acquires UK Refrigeration and HVAC Firm Allcool Sweden/UK: Nordic Climate Group has expanded its operations in the United Kingdom through the acquisition of Allcool (NW) Limited, a refrigeration, air-conditioning and service company based in Poulton-le-Fylde near Blackpool. Established in 1977, Allcool serves public and commercial clients, including schools, hospitals, local authorities and commercial buildings. The company employs around 40 people and wi

Ceramic Industry Faces Deepening Crisis India: Once globally recognised for tiles and clocks, Morbi, the city that put India’s ceramic industry on the world map is now facing one of its worst crises in decades due to intense international competition, overproduction, and what industry leaders describe as deeply flawed government regulations. More than 200 ceramic factories in Morbi are currently shut, with machinery lying idle, sheds deteriorating, and revival prospects dimmi

New Concept Centre in Kandy Sri Lanka: Rocell has opened a new Concept Centre in Kandy, expanding its retail presence in Sri Lanka. Located on William Gopallawa Mawatha, the showroom covers 4,730 square feet and is designed to present integrated living space solutions for homeowners, architects and designers in the Central Province. The centre displays a range of surface coverings and sanitaryware, allowing visitors to view coordinated applications across residential spaces.

Kohler to Invest $96 Million to Boost Manufacturing and Retail in India India: Kohler, which completed 20 years of operations in India this year, plans to invest Rupees 8 billion (approximately USD 96 million) over the next 3 financial years. The proposed investment is intended to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen engineering capabilities and increase the company’s retail presence in the country. Chris Ball, President of Kitchen and Bath International at Kohler, discu

Italy to supply industrial boilers to heat Ukraine after energy strikes Ukraine: Ukraine is set to receive heating equipment from Italy in the coming days to support regions affected by recent strikes on energy infrastructure, according to Kyrylo Budanov. He stated that the delivery forms part of international assistance aimed at stabilising the country’s energy situation following large-scale attacks. The support follows agreements reached between Ukrainian President Volodym

Mitsubishi Electric Subsidiary Invests in ADTTech for Smarter Factories China: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Intelligent Manufacturing Technology (China) Group Co., Ltd., has acquired a stake in ADT Technology Service (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a software developer based in Suzhou, China. The acquisition follows an existing collaboration agreement between the two companies. The investment is intended to support the pr

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health calls for stronger gas safety measures after recent incidents Malaysia: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health executive director Datuk Ayop Salleh said recent incidents involving gas leaks and explosions have highlighted the need for improved training and stronger risk management practices to prevent similar occurrences. He stated that all parties should treat such incidents with seriousness, referring to cas

United Arab Emirates Reports Sectoral Developments In 2025 UAE: The United Arab Emirates recorded developments across the energy, infrastructure, maritime transport, housing and digital transformation sectors in 2025, reflecting the implementation of national plans during the year. In the housing sector, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure issued three thousand five hundred and sixty-seven housing support decisions, with a total value AED 2.546 billion (approximately US

Inflation Bangladesh: The latest United Nations report on inflation makes the situation clear: Bangladesh is grappling with the most severe inflation crisis in South Asia. Among seven regional countries, Bangladesh records the highest inflation at 8.9 percent in 2025, far exceeding neighbouring India at 2.7 percent and Sri Lanka at 0.6 percent. Even more concerning, the outlook offers little relief. The UN forecasts inflation in Bangladesh to remain at 7.1 percent in 2026, st

Building UK: Grafton Group plc (“Grafton” or “the Group”), the international building materials distributor and DIY retailer, provides this trading update for the period 1 November to 31 December 2025 ahead of its full-year results for 2025, scheduled for 5 March 2026. The Group expects full-year adjusted operating profit¹ to be in line with expectations², reflecting the resilience of its diversified portfolio amid challenging macroeconomic conditions in certain markets. Aver

Lidl UK: Lidl GB has announced plans to open 19 new stores in just eight weeks as part of its ongoing expansion across the UK. Alongside this growth, the discounter is investing over £43 million (US$ 57.7 million) to modernise more than 70 existing stores, bringing enhanced value, choice, and employment opportunities to communities nationwide. The rapid store rollout, equivalent to one opening every other day, is expected to create up to 640 new jobs. The new locations will e

GST BHUTAN: With the introduction of a five percent Goods and Services Tax (GST), over 1,900 commodities previously taxed at higher Bhutan Sales Tax (BST) rates are expected to become more affordable. However, consumers may experience temporary price pressures during the transition, as goods imported or purchased before 1 January still carry the embedded BST. When these items are sold under the new GST system, a short-term double taxation effect may occur, which should ease o