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

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

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

Heat pump South Korea: The government has unveiled plans to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, which use air-source heat for space heating and hot water, as part of its broader decarbonization strategy. During a ministerial meeting on industrial competitiveness and the growth strategy task force held at the Government Complex Sejong on the morning of the 16th, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment outlined a target to cut 5.18 million tons of greenhouse gas emis

factory INDIA: Home appliances brand Haier Appliances India is set to expand its manufacturing presence in the country with an investment of ₹3,500 crore (US$387 million) over the next three to four years. The Chinese company, which produces televisions, air conditioners, and refrigerators, currently operates two facilities in Greater Noida and Pune and is planning a third unit in western or southern India. On Friday, Haier unveiled its Gravity AI Series Air Conditioners duri

Collaboration INDIA: The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), Government of Gujarat, has signed an MoU with Bosch Home Comfort India Limited to set up Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Skill Development Centres in Northern Gujarat. Under this collaboration, the nodal centre will be established at Ganpat University in Mehsana, serving as a hub for specialised technical training in the HVAC sector. The partnership aims to enhance employability, promote

GST INDIA: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has cut the tax rate on renewable energy devices and their manufacturing components from 12% to 5%, with the revised rates coming into effect from September 22 this year. To compensate state governments for potential revenue losses, the Council has simultaneously increased the GST on coal and lignite from 5% to 18%. In another key move aimed at supporting energy storage, the GST on non-lithium-ion batteries—including lead-ac

JV JAPAN: Copeland and Daikin, two global leaders in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies, have announced the expansion of their existing joint venture into the European market. Under this extended collaboration, the companies will jointly introduce advanced inverter swing rotary compressors, along with power electronics and control solutions, specifically tailored for residential heat pumps in Europe. The partnership highlights both companies’ commi

Haier India Targets USD 2 Billion Revenue by 2027 INDIA: Haier Appliances India has unveiled an ambitious growth roadmap, aiming to achieve USD 2 billion in revenue from the Indian market by the end of 2027. To support this target, the company plans to invest approximately USD 4.2 billion over the next three to four years, focusing on manufacturing capacity expansion, higher localisation, and operational excellence. As part of this strategy, Haier is evaluating potential loca

Daikin Signs Deal to Acquire Anh Nguyen, Boosting Solutions Business in Vietnam JAPAN: Daikin Industries has agreed to acquire Anh Nguyen Trading Technical Service, a Vietnam-based building management and instrumentation specialist, through Daikin Air Conditioning Vietnam. Expected to close in early fiscal 2026, the deal strengthens Daikin’s solutions business as demand for energy-efficient buildings rises in Vietnam. By integrating HVAC systems with advanced building managem

Xiaomi Unveils First Self-Made Central Air Conditioner CHINA: Xiaomi has commenced operations at its first large home appliance factory, the Wuhan Xiaomi Smart Home Appliance Factory (Phase I), marking a strategic shift towards in-house manufacturing. The facility will initially focus on air conditioning, with the Mi Home Central Air Conditioner Pro set to be its first product. Powered by advanced smart manufacturing systems, the factory enables rapid production, strict quali

International Valves and Taps Alliance Launched to Boost Global Collaboration United States/Europe/Japan: The International Valves and Taps Alliance was officially launched on December 10th, bringing together leading associations of valve and tap manufacturers from the United States, Europe, and Japan. The new global alliance aims to enhance international knowledge sharing and provide common tools to tackle technological, regulatory, and environmental challenges across the va

Housing Prices Fall in China Amid Real Estate Slowdown China: Housing prices in China are falling, with new and previously owned homes dropping across major cities. In Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, prices fell 0.8%, while 31 large second-tier cities saw a 2% decline, and 35 medium-sized cities dropped 3.4%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Previously owned housing prices fell 4.4% in first-tier, 5.2% in second-tier, and 5.7% in third-tier cities,

Indonesia to expand housing renovation and subsidy programmes in 2026 Indonesia: Indonesia plans to extend its self-help housing renovation programme to all districts and cities for the first time in 2026, according to the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, Maruarar Sirait. He noted that 224 districts and cities will not receive allocations in 2025, including 22 areas that have not received assistance through the Self-Help Housing Stimulus (BSPS) programme for five yea

Vietnam real estate body calls for monitoring measures amid rising housing prices Vietnam: The Vietnam Association of Realtors has reported increasing concern over the country’s housing market, noting that home prices continue to rise beyond the financial capacity of most households. In its latest assessment, the association stated that the market is showing signs of instability, with growth driven mainly by high-end developments and speculative activity, while affordable hou