Home Depot’s SRS to Acquire HVAC Distributor Mingledorff’s UNITED STATES: The Home Depot’s subsidiary, SRS Distribution, has entered into an agreement to acquire HVAC distributor Mingledorff’s, strengthening its position in specialty trade distribution. The deal adds HVAC as a new vertical, enhancing offerings for professional customers and expanding the company’s total addressable market to approximately US$1.2 trillion. Mingledorff’s, operating across 42 locations in the so

AFPAC launched the Centre of Expertise for Heat Pumps FRANCE: AFPAC has launched CEPAC, a dedicated Centre of Expertise for Heat Pumps, as part of France’s national strategy to accelerate heat pump adoption. The initiative brings together key stakeholders across the building decarbonisation ecosystem and is designed to act as an independent technical body supporting large-scale, reliable deployment. CEPAC will focus on delivering practical guidance, validated data, and best p

Duravent Group Secures Growth Investment from Bain Capital UNITED STATES: Duravent Group has received a strategic growth investment from Bain Capital to support its next phase of expansion. Bain Capital will collaborate with the company’s leadership team and existing investor Egeria to strengthen Duravent’s market position and accelerate growth through both organic initiatives and acquisitions. Headquartered in Detroit, Duravent operates multiple brands across North America a

New US Tariffs Leave CUSMA Exemptions Unchanged USA: The US has introduced new global tariffs on imports, but goods qualifying under the Canada‑United States‑Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) will continue to be exempt, according to a statement from the White House. The decision follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down earlier emergency tariff measures, prompting the government to adopt tariffs under a different legal authority. Despite the broader tariff regime taking eff

US Housing Shortage Deepens as Household Growth Outpaces Construction USA: New housing data analysis indicates that the US continues to face a widening housing supply gap. According to recent estimates, the shortage reached around 4.03 million homes in 2025, rising from 3.8 million in 2024. The gap has expanded as household formation increased more quickly than new housing construction. In 2025, about 1.41 million new households were formed, while housing starts totalled roug

United States Housing Market Faces Affordability Pressures as Permits Decline in Early 2026 UNITED STATES: The United States housing market began 2026 under pressure as affordability concerns and macroeconomic uncertainty weighed on construction activity. Data from the National Association of Home Builders indicates that 2025 ended with declining building activity, with permits falling 3.6% and housing starts slipping 0.6% year-on-year, while total housing completions dropped

DOE Testing Milestone USA: Rheem has completed laboratory validation testing for commercial rooftop heat pump equipment under the United States Department of Energy (DOE) testing milestone Commercial Building HVAC Technology Challenge. The programme aims to support the development of heat pump systems for commercial buildings, including equipment designed for cold climate operation. Testing confirmed that the company’s rooftop heat pump in the 10–14 ton category met the DOE’s

Madison Air Files for U.S. IPO After Revenue Growth USA: Madison Air Solutions has disclosed financial details ahead of a planned initial public offering after revenue growth in the United States. The company reported net sales of USD 3,340 million (EUR 3,070 million) for the year ended 31 December 2025, compared with USD 2,620 million (EUR 2,410 million) in the previous year. Net income for 2025 reached USD 124.3 million (EUR 114.3 million). The company has not yet announced

Trane Technologies Completes Acquisition of LiquidStack Ireland/USA: Trane Technologies announced that it has completed the acquisition of LiquidStack, a company specialising in liquid cooling technology for data centres. The transaction, previously announced on 10 February 2026, brings LiquidStack into Trane Technologies’ operations. LiquidStack is headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, United States. The acquisition forms part of Trane Technologies’ strategy to expand its port

Diversified Agriculture Partners with Vostermans Ventilation USA: Diversified Agriculture has entered into a distribution partnership with Vostermans Ventilation to supply Multifan ventilation systems to poultry operations across the United States. Under the agreement, Diversified Agriculture will act as the primary distributor for the products in the U.S. poultry sector. The partnership is intended to expand access to ventilation equipment used in poultry production and othe

10 Home Design Features That Help People Age Comfortably at Home USA: Design professionals highlight several home features that support comfortable and safe living as residents grow older. Wider doorways and hallways allow easier movement, particularly for wheelchairs or walkers, while step-free layouts reduce the risk of trips and falls. Curbless showers, grab bars and non-slip flooring are commonly recommended for bathrooms to improve safety and accessibility. Enhanced ligh

Builders Identify Key Forces Shaping Housing Affordability and Market Demand USA: US home builders have highlighted several economic and social trends influencing housing affordability and demand. Industry feedback indicates that the ageing housing stock is a major driver for construction activity, cited by 73% of builders. Meanwhile, the shift towards remote and hybrid working continues to influence housing preferences, with 65% noting its impact on demand patterns. Technolo

Key Kitchen Countertop Trends Highlighted for 2026 USA: Kitchen & Bath Design News highlights evolving preferences in kitchen countertop materials and design for 2026. The findings show that engineered surfaces such as quartz and quartzite remain the fastest-growing materials in demand, while porcelain, granite and marble continue to maintain a strong presence in modern kitchens. Designers note that homeowners increasingly prefer countertops that combine durability and ease o

U.S. DOJ Sues California Cities Over Natural Gas Restrictions in New Buildings USA: The Trump Administration has filed a lawsuit against two cities in California over local ordinances that effectively prohibit natural gas piping and appliances, potentially setting the stage for broader regulatory disputes at the state level. On Jan. 5, the U.S. Department of Justice initiated legal action against the cities of Petaluma and Morgan Hill, arguing that their rules banning natural

NLBMDA Supports Legislation to Exclude Homebuilding Materials from Tariffs USA: The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has publicly backed the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act, a bill introduced in the United States Congress aimed at reducing housing costs by exempting key homebuilding materials from recently imposed tariffs. The legislation would establish a streamlined process for U.S. businesses to request tariff exclusions on imported construct

U.S. Heat Pumps Growth Enters New Phase Amid Changing Incentives and Market Forces The U.S. heat pump market has entered a new phase, shaped by the expiration of federal incentives, rising state-level support, and evolving consumer preferences. While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) played a pivotal role in accelerating adoption through its generous tax credits and rebate programs, the conclusion of those federal incentives has affected market dynamics. Growth remains suppor

Survey Finds Product Availability Top Priority for HVAC Contractors Choosing Distributors USA: Product availability, competitive pricing, and timely, accurate delivery are the three most important factors HVAC contractors consider when choosing distributors, according to a recent survey. The findings come as no surprise to Tim Fisher, director of research at Heating Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI). He noted that the survey, conducted by Far

Dandelion Energy Shifts Strategy to Focus on Production Home Builders USA: Dandelion Energy has announced a major strategic shift, placing greater emphasis on working with production home builders, according to its CEO and chairman, Dan Yates. The decision is driven by two key factors: changing dynamics in the housing market and the company’s ability to reduce installation costs by nearly 40% under this new approach. Home builders are increasingly looking for high-quality, lo

US Construction Sector Adds Strong Job Gains at Start of 2026 USA: Construction employment in the United States increased by 33,000 jobs in January 2026, marking one of the strongest monthly gains in more than two years, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase brought total construction employment to over 8.3 million workers nationwide. Much of the growth came from non-residential construction, particularly specialty trade contractors, which a

ACCA Study Reveals What Sets Top HVAC Contractors Apart USA: A new study by Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and Farmington Consulting Group explores what sets top-performing HVAC contractors apart. The organizations jointly surveyed more than 1,000 contractors across the United States, including both ACCA members and non-members. Among the respondents, the majority (66%) identified their role as owner or executive. In terms of fleet size, 35% operated two to fo