SPX Technologies Strengthens HVAC Portfolio with Thermolec Acquisition USA: SPX Technologies has completed the acquisition of Canada-based Thermolec Ltd. for approximately US$140 million, marking a strategic expansion of its HVAC segment. Founded in 1973, Thermolec is a Montréal-headquartered manufacturer of custom electric duct heating and related solutions, serving commercial, multi-family residential and light industrial markets across North America. The company employs ne

Panasonic Appointed to Procure Plus Framework for Low-Carbon Heating Solutions United Kingdom: Panasonic Heating and Cooling UK have been selected for the four-year Procure Plus framework, supporting the supply of low- and zero-carbon heating, hot water and smart control technologies to social housing and public sector organisations across the UK. Under the framework, Panasonic will provide its Aquarea air source heat pumps, hot water cylinders and smart control solutions to

STIEBEL ELTRON Begins Heat Pump Production at Höxter Facility GERMANY: STIEBEL ELTRON has commenced heat pump production at its newly acquired facility in Höxter, Germany, following the takeover of the former DMA mechanical engineering site in late 2022. After extensive refurbishment, one production line is now operational, with two additional lines planned. The facility will handle the full production process, from assembling refrigerant circuits to testing, charging and pac

Sustainable Cooling AFRICA: A new report by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) warns that inadequate access to cooling places over one billion people globally at risk, with Africa among the most affected regions. Without urgent action, up to 1.05 billion Africans could face high heat-related risks by 2030. In Sub-Saharan Africa, weak cooling infrastructure threatens health, food security and productivity, while countries such as Nigeria, Sudan and Mozambique are among the

CEVA Logistics to Develop New Daikin Warehouse in Spain SPAIN: CEVA Logistics has started construction of a 27,000 sq m warehouse in Tórtola de Henares, Spain, to support Daikin’s expanding air conditioning operations. Scheduled to be operational in the first quarter of 2027, the facility will enhance logistics efficiency through advanced IT systems, improved inventory management and customised storage solutions. Built to meet BREEAM Very Good standards, the warehouse will in

Rotpunkt Küchen Records Strong Growth Despite Challenging Market Conditions GERMANY: Rotpunkt Küchen closed the 2025 financial year with a 6.25% increase in sales, reaching a record US$ 123.1 million (€103.7 million), despite weak new-build activity and cautious consumer demand. Growth was driven by higher average values per kitchen order, alongside a 2.3% rise in volumes. The company reported positive performance in Germany and stable exports, which account for 80% of sales,

Flamme Küchen und Möbel to Close All Stores and End Operations in 2026 GERMANY: The long-established family business Flamme Küchen und Möbel has announced that it will cease all business activities in 2026, bringing nearly a century of operations to an end. Founded in 1929 in Bremen, the kitchen and furniture retailer will close its six stores located in Bremen, Berlin, Frankfurt, Fürth, Hanover and Munich. Managing Director Tina Flamme said the decision followed extensive co

KEDA Ghana Eyes Further Expansion Following Major Local Manufacturing Investment GHANA: KEDA (Ghana) Ceramics Company Ltd. is planning to expand its international sales footprint after investing around US$ 300 million in local manufacturing since 2017. The company, which estimates it now holds about 45% of Ghana’s domestic ceramics market, is considering a second-phase sanitary ware production line that could attract a further US$ 200–500 million in investment. The move would

Clerici Strengthens Rome Presence with Five Strategic Acquisitions ROME: Italian distribution group Clerici has accelerated its expansion in Rome through five strategic acquisitions, reinforcing its position in the Lazio region. The company has acquired 100% of Termoidraulica Agostini e Figli, ARYA Group, Lazioterm and Home Distribuzione, and signed a binding agreement to purchase Puntoclima. These businesses are leading distributors of hydronic, heating, air conditioning and

Home Depot Launches AI Tool to Speed Up Project Material Planning for Trades USA: Home Depot has launched Material List Builder AI, a new digital tool designed to help professional tradespeople create accurate project material lists in minutes rather than hours. The AI interprets project requirements and generates organised, phase-by-phase material lists, reducing manual searching and errors. Users can input details through natural language descriptions, voice-to-text, pasted

DIY and Home Improvement Outperform German Online Retail Growth in 2025 GERMANY: Germany’s online home improvement market recorded above-average growth in 2025, outperforming overall e-commerce trends. The DIY and flowers segment grew by 4.9% year on year, reaching sales of US$ 3.61billion (€3.04 billion), according to data from the German E-Commerce and Distance Selling Trade Association (BEVH). Overall German e-commerce sales to end consumers increased by 3.2% to US$ 98.7 b

Belgian DIY Retail Sales Decline in 2025 as Industry Debates Data Sharing BELGIUM: Belgian DIY stores recorded a 1.2% drop in sales in 2025 compared with the previous year, according to figures presented at the DIY, Pro & Garden trade fair in Kortrijk. In contrast, garden centres performed more strongly, posting sales growth of 3.8%. Data from the DIY & Garden Panel, which tracks 78 home and living product groups, showed an overall decline of 3.2%, largely driven by weaker pe

France Unveils Ambitious Housing Recovery Plan Targeting Two Million Homes by 2030 FRANCE: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has presented a wide-ranging housing recovery plan aimed at addressing the country’s prolonged housing crisis. Central to the strategy is a target to build two million homes by 2030, equivalent to around 400,000 units per year, a significant increase from recent construction levels. The plan combines unprecedented financial support for social hous

Denver Region Launches US$200m Heat Pump Drive to Cut Building Emissions USA: The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) has launched Power Ahead Colorado , a major initiative backed by a US$199.7 million federal grant to reduce carbon emissions from home heating and cooling. Funded through the US Environmental Protection Agency, the programme focuses on accelerating the adoption of electric heat pumps across the Denver metro area. Around US$40 million will be allocat

Saanich Reopens Interest-Free Heat Pump Financing Scheme CANADA: The District of Saanich has opened the seventh intake of its Heat Pump Financing Programme, inviting residents to apply for interest-free loans to switch to electric heat pumps. Launched in 2022 with Central Saanich, the scheme offers up to $12,000 per household, repayable over ten years through a property tax levy. The programme aims to overcome high upfront costs while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and impr

Daikin Introduces Incentive for High-Temperature Heat Pump Installers United Kingdom: Daikin has launched a limited-time incentive offering installers US$ 1187.3 (£1,000) for every qualifying Daikin Altherma High Temperature heat pump installation. Running until 31 March 2026, the scheme is open to accredited Sustainable Home Network installers who purchase eligible models through approved centres or merchant partners and register installations via Daikin’s Stand By Me  porta

Secures Maharashtra Incentives India: LG Electronics India Limited has received an eligibility certificate from the Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, approving incentives worth ₹705.74 crore (USD ~79.3 million) under the state’s Electronics Policy 2016 for its mega expansion project. The certificate validates investments of ₹705.74 crore (USD ~79.3 million) made at the company’s Ranjangaon manufacturing facility in Pune between November 1, 2017, and Octobe

Saudi Arabia Construction Sector Saudi Arabia: Construction costs in Saudi Arabia continued to rise at a steady pace in December 2025, with the Construction Cost Index increasing 1.1% year on year for the second consecutive month, supported by stable prices for materials and equipment rentals. The index stood at 101.8 points in December, unchanged from November monthly, according to data released by General Authority for Statistics. The stable trend comes as the Kingdom advan

US Economy US: The US economy expanded at a faster pace than previously estimated in the third quarter, with gross domestic product revised up to a 4.4% annualised rate, according to updated data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The revised figure marked the strongest quarterly growth since the third quarter of 2023, compared with 3.8% growth in the second quarter. The upward revision reflected stronger exports and business investment, while higher imports partially offs

Data Centers US: Commercial real estate construction is expected to record little or no growth this year, as higher interest rates, elevated material costs, and labor shortages weigh on new project activity. According to estimates from FMI Corp, spending on offices, hotels, apartments, and warehouses is projected to decline in 2026. In contrast, data centers remain a key exception, supported by continued investment from major technology companies to meet rising demand linked