Dutch Government Allocates EUR 355 Million for Housing Infrastructure Netherlands: The Dutch government has allocated EUR 355 million (USD 412 million) for infrastructure supporting the development of nearly 30,000 homes. The funding forms part of a broader investment exceeding EUR 16 billion in the maintenance and renewal of roads, bridges, railways and waterways. Municipalities including Alkmaar, Apeldoorn, Hengelo, Enschede and Helmond have welcomed the allocation, which w

Hannover Finanz Opportunities Acquires Majority Stake in Keuco Germany: Hannover Finanz Opportunities (HFO), the special situations investment unit of Hannover Finanz Group, has acquired a majority stake in bathroom products manufacturer Keuco GmbH & Co. KG through a share transaction. The financial terms have not been disclosed. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Hemer, Germany, Keuco supplies bathroom accessories, fittings, mirrored cabinets and bathroom furniture. The co

Sanitairwinkel Automation Increases Warehouse Storage Capacity by 75% Netherlands: Sanitairwinkel has expanded warehouse automation at its distribution centre in Den Bosch to accommodate growing order volumes, limited storage space and staff shortages. The sanitary ware retailer, which serves customers in the Netherlands, Belgium and France, has implemented an AutoStore system integrated by Syncore with its existing Webstock warehouse management system. The installation accom

Boiler UK: UK homeowners replacing a faulty heating system could face an additional charge of up to £140 (approximately US$188) on a standard gas boiler, as the government considers tightening heat pump sales requirements under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM). The proposed changes could increase the mandated heat pump sales quota for heating manufacturers from 8% to 18% of their total boiler sales, raising compliance costs for companies that fail to meet the targets. C

Heat pump UK: Passiv UK has partnered with Ample to enable intelligent control, remote monitoring, and optimisation of residential heat pumps. Under the agreement, Ample has selected Passiv’s Smart Thermostat as its preferred smart controls solution for all heat pump installations supported by the company. Passiv’s technology will help optimise compatible heat pumps by integrating time-of-use electricity tariffs and rooftop solar generation where available. Ample will also de

Heat pump UK: E.ON Next has reported a 154% year-on-year increase in household sign-ups for heat pumps, while solar sign-ups rose by 145%, as UK consumers seek to lower energy bills and gain greater control over their energy consumption ahead of winter. The company also offers its Next Optimise service to customers with solar panels and battery storage. The service automatically charges home batteries when wholesale electricity prices are low and exports stored electricity wh

Sonas Bathroom IRELAND: Irish bathroom products supplier SONAS Bathrooms has commenced operations at a new 60,801 sq ft distribution centre in Redditch, UK, to strengthen its distribution network and serve more than 500 retail partners nationwide. Known as Alto 60, the warehouse can accommodate 8,300 pallets and will stock a wide range of bathroom products, including showers, baths, furniture, taps, and sanitaryware. The new facility is expected to significantly reduce delive

Siemens and Invertek Partner on Integrated HVAC-R Control Solutions Germany: Siemens and Invertek Drives formalised a partnership at Chillventa 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, to develop integrated control solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) applications. The agreement combines Siemens' Climatix application controllers with Invertek Drives' Optidrive Coolvert variable frequency drives (VFDs) for brushless DC compressor systems. The comb

Spain's Annual Inflation Reaches 5% Amid Rising Fuel and Travel Costs Spain: Spain's annual inflation rate reached 5.0% in September 2026, its highest level since February 2023, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) on 14 October. The European Union-harmonised consumer price index recorded a 5.0% year-on-year increase, driven by rising fuel and air travel costs. The figure was consistent with the preliminary estimate and forecasts from economis

2025 in Review: Toilet Seats Europe's toilet seat market continued to demonstrate resilience during 2025, despite ongoing challenges across the residential construction sector. While new housing activity remained subdued in several major markets, demand was supported by a combination of replacement purchases, housing renovation projects and recurring demand from commercial and institutional buildings. The latest BRG research highlights an increasingly important shift within t

Volution Group Reports Growth Despite Weak Construction Markets UK: Volution Group Plc reported its FY2026 results, with revenue, operating profit and cash generation increasing by more than 15%, while adjusted earnings per share rose by 15.4%. Organic revenue growth was 2.8%, below its 3%–5% target, while the operating margin reached 23.2%, cash conversion was 107% and return on invested capital was 25.5%. Acquisitions, including AC Industries, supported growth. The group ac

Hungary Extends Deadline for EU-Funded Residential Solar Programme Hungary: Hungary has extended the completion deadline for its EU-funded RRF-6.2.1-2021 residential solar programme to October 31, 2026, allowing complex projects to close once at least two required development elements are completed. Launched in December 2021, the scheme offers grants covering 100% of eligible costs for lower-income households, up to US$8,870 for PV-only systems and approximately US$34,560 for

Hitachi and Bosch Home Comfort Collaborate on Connected Commercial HVAC Diagnostics and Building Management Japan/Germany: Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Global Life Solutions and Germany-based Bosch Home Comfort Group have agreed to integrate Hitachi’s HMAX for Buildings platform and exiida HVAC IoT solution with Bosch’s airCloud Pro service, enabling remote monitoring, predictive failure diagnostics and energy management for commercial HVAC equipment. Targeting continuously operated

Italy’s Valves and Taps Sector Faces Export Challenges and New European Drinking Water Rules Italy: Italy’s valves and taps sector, with turnover of almost EUR 10 billion and exports accounting for over 60% of revenue, faces growing geopolitical uncertainty, volatile energy and logistics costs, and stricter European drinking water requirements. Francesca Paffoni, CEO of Rubinetteria Paffoni Spa and President-designate of the Italian Association of Valve and Faucet Manufacture

UK Future Homes Standard Drives Stricter Energy Efficiency and Ventilation Requirements UK: The UK’s Future Homes Standard (FHS), planned for implementation in 2025, aims to reduce carbon emissions in new homes through low-carbon heating, including heat pumps, improved insulation and energy-efficient technologies such as Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). Updates to Building Regulations Parts F and L focus on indoor air quality, ventilation and energy performan

Samsung Launches Online Training Platform for UK Heat Pump Installers UNITED KINGDOM: Samsung Climate Solutions has launched a new Learning Management System (LMS) to strengthen heat pump installer skills and support the UK’s growing heat pump market. The platform offers four progressive training levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Service Agent, covering installation, commissioning, servicing and diagnostics. The initiative complements practical training at Samsung’s centres in

Danfoss Opens New Manufacturing Facility in Poland to Expand Heating and Cooling Production POLAND: Danfoss has inaugurated a new 22,500 m² manufacturing facility in Tuchom, Poland, to meet growing demand for energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions, particularly for district energy and data centres. Operated by its Hydronics division, the plant can produce approximately 8,000 heavy-duty thermal interface stations annually, with potential capacity to double. Employing 2

Mr DIY Prepares Market Entry in Hungary and Czech Republic Hungary/Czech Republic: Malaysian retail chain Mr DIY is preparing to enter the Hungarian market with its first store at the Köki shopping centre in Budapest. According to a report by Daily News Hungary dated 5 October 2026 and shared by the Malaysian Embassy in Hungary, the company has begun recruiting staff for the store. No opening date has been announced. Mr DIY is also preparing to open a store in the Czech Repub

Top Knobs Acquires JACLO Industries and Durst United States: Top Knobs, a Dimora company, has acquired JACLO Industries, a decorative plumbing manufacturer and distributor based in Cranford, New Jersey, along with its sister brand Durst. JACLO will join Watermark Designs within Top Knobs’ Luxury Brands division. JACLO supplies plumbing, design and contracting customers through showrooms and dealers across North America, while Durst supplies valves, fittings, drainage and wate

FETA Rejoins Eurovent as Member Association UK: The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) has rejoined Eurovent as a Member Association after an absence of more than 20 years. The move brings the UK trade body back into a network of 18 national associations representing the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry across Europe. FETA represents more than 400 manufacturers, suppliers, installers and contractors across sectors in