Ariston Partners With Keyline Sales to Expand Presence in Southern California USA: Ariston has entered into a partnership with Keyline Sales to manage sales, distribution and specification activities across Southern California and Wayne County, Nevada. The agreement focuses on expanding the availability of water heating and thermal comfort solutions in a market influenced by building decarbonisation targets and energy efficiency regulations. Through this collaboration, Aristo

Housing USA: Mortgage rates surpassed the 7% mark this week for the first time since January 2025, reaching their highest level during either of Donald Trump’s presidential terms. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate increased to 7.03%, up from 6.95% the previous week. This marked the fifth consecutive week of rising mortgage rates, further increasing pressure on housing affordability. Higher borrowing costs translate into larger monthly mortgage

PrimeSource Brands Acquires JACLO to Expand Decorative Plumbing Portfolio United States: PrimeSource Brands, a portfolio company of Clearlake Capital Group, has acquired Durst Corporation, which operates as JACLO Industries, through its Dimora Brands platform. The transaction marks PrimeSource Brands' 12th acquisition since its partnership with Clearlake in December 2020. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1901 and headquartered in Cranford, New Jersey, JACLO manu

Bay Area Water Heater Rules USA: A proposed rule by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District could tighten nitrogen oxide (NOx) limits for natural gas fired water heaters and boilers, potentially pushing many replacement products towards zero NOx technology. The proposal could increase costs, limit product availability and add paperwork for distributors, contractors and customers. Exemptions are available for situations such as limited electrical capacity, space constrain

FGI Industries Reports Revenue Growth Despite Tariff Pressure USA: FGI Industries reported a 5.5% year on year increase in second quarter revenue to $31 million, supported by growth in sanitaryware and bath furniture. However, gross profit declined 2.9% to $8.7 million, with gross margin falling to 28.1% due to tariff related pressures. Sanitaryware revenue increased 4.3%, while shower systems declined 11.2%. Europe recorded strong revenue growth of 36.7%, compared with a sli

Airbnb commits US$250 million to unlock stalled US housing projects UNITED STATES: Airbnb has launched a “Housing Accelerator” combining US$250 million in below-market, last-dollar financing for stalled rental projects with policy advocacy, a global housing-policy data index and a US$5 million innovation prize focused on construction and development technology. The company expects the initiative to unlock more than US$5 billion in housing investment over the next decade, star

US House Vote Raises Tariff Risks for India Over Russian Oil India: India faces the prospect of tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas after the US House of Representatives passed legislation giving President Donald Trump broader powers to impose sanctions and tariffs on such countries. The legislation is expected to go to Trump for signature. India and China are among the countries most exposed, as both are major buyers of Russian crude. Russia acc

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

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

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

USA Finalises High Duties on Solar Imports from India, Indonesia and Laos USA: The US Commerce Department has finalised steep anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar cells and panels imported from India, Indonesia and Laos, citing unfair pricing and government subsidies. Anti-dumping duties were set at 123.04% for Indian producers, 94.36% for Indonesian producers and 65.43% for Lao producers, while countervailing duties vary by producer and country. The investigation

Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs Canada: Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on US imports worth C$27.6 billion (US$20 billion), effective September 8, 2026, escalating trade tensions between the two countries. Tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% apply to products targeted by US Section 338 and Section 232 measures, with rates matched to the corresponding US duties. This includes some building and construction materials with 50% duties, such as floor coverings of plastics. On th

US HVAC Shipments Rise 20.1% Year-on-Year in July 2026 U.S.: US shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps reached 916,830 units in July 2026, down 10.43% from June but up 20.1% year-on-year. Central air-conditioner shipments increased 22.3% to 503,151 units, while air-source heat pump shipments rose 17.6% to 413,679 units. According to the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, year-to-date combined shipments increased 5.5% to 5,633,518 u

Funding awarded for geothermal heat pump workforce programmes United States: The United States Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office has selected eight projects to receive funding of USD 150,000 (EUR 138,000) each to support workforce development in the geothermal heat pump (GHP) sector. The funding forms part of the Partnerships to Accelerate Training and Hiring for Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP PATHs) programme, which aims to support workforce expansion require

Lenox and Town & Country Living Launch Coordinated Bath Collection United States: Town & Country Living has entered into a licensing partnership with Lenox to introduce a coordinated bath collection. The range is scheduled to debut at the New York Home Textiles Market from 14 September 2026, with retail availability planned for the first quarter of 2027. The collection will include bath towels, shower curtains, countertop accessories, bath rugs and mats, along with liners and

Johnson Supply Completes Rebrand as Johnson HVAC Distribution United States: Johnson Supply has completed a company-wide rebranding under the name Johnson HVAC Distribution and launched a new website. The updated identity covers 25 branch locations serving HVAC professionals across Texas and Louisiana. The company said the website includes an online portal providing access to product information, account management, branch locations and support resources. All branch locations