Bathroom ITALY: Gessi’s trajectory of consistent growth and the strength of an industrial business model defined by continuous evolution have earned it the eighth position in the latest edition of the Mediobanca study, “The Main Italian Companies” , which analyzes 1,084 groups and 2,358 firms. This recognition confirms Gessi’s status as one of the most forward-looking players in the Italian industrial landscape, highlighting its dynamism, robust financial performance, interna

Ignacio Sánchez Villares Appointed as Managing Director of Leroy Merlin Italia Italy: Leroy Merlin Italia has appointed Ignacio Sánchez Villares as managing director. He moves from leading Leroy Merlin Brazil within the Adeo Group. A long-time executive, Sánchez previously held senior roles in Spain and played a key role in the Akí–Leroy Merlin merger in 2018. Source: DYI+

Middleby to Sell Majority Stake in Residential Kitchen Unit, Including European Brands, for USD 885 Million United States/Europe: Middleby has entered a definitive agreement to sell a 51 percent stake in its Residential Kitchen business to affiliates of 26North Partners, valuing the unit at USD 885 million. As part of the transaction, several European brands, including AGA Rangemaster, previously wholly owned by Middleby, will move under the ownership of 26North Partners. Mid

Full-Year Revenue Growth Boosts Victorian Plumbing United Kingdom: Victorian Plumbing reported a solid performance, with revenue rising 5% to £310m and adjusted EBITDA up 17% to £31.8m, supported by record order volumes of 1.1m. However, adjusted pre-tax profit fell 6% to £21.8m due to higher interest costs linked to a new distribution centre. The group said trading has started positively in the new year. Shares rose 4%, while Shore Capital reiterated its ‘buy’ recommendation

RAK Ceramics Delivers Premium Bathroom Solutions for Landmark Birmingham Development United Kingdom: RAK Ceramics has reinforced its role as a key project partner after supplying high-spec bathroom products for the Queensgate mixed-use development in central Birmingham. Delivered by DRG Interior and Building Solutions, the scheme has transformed a former nightclub and offices into 67 luxury apartments with commercial space. RAK Ceramics provided complete bathroom solutions, i

Confindustria Ceramica Calls on EU to Rethink Carbon Rules to Prevent Deindustrialisation Italy: Confindustria Ceramica has urged the EU to suspend and revise carbon quota mechanisms, warning that current climate policies risk accelerating deindustrialisation in Europe. The Italian ceramics industry says rising ETS costs and sharply higher gas prices are undermining investment, despite €4.3 billion spent on decarbonisation over the past decade. The group is calling for fairer

Alape Basins Integrated into Laufen Portfolio Following Roca Acquisition United Kingdom: Following Roca Group’s acquisition of Alape, the German steel basin brand has been integrated into Laufen, rebranded as Laufen Vitreon Steel, while production and the Goslar factory remain operational. Alape’s furniture line will be discontinued, and some personnel changes have occurred. The move aims to promote Alape globally under Laufen, expanding its premium bathroom offering beyond c

Directorate-General for Energy and Climate Outlines Key Updates for 6th CEE Period France: The Directorate-General for Energy and Climate Outlines Key Updates for 6th CEE Period as it recently clarified the heating-related terms for the 6th period of the Energy Savings Certificates (CEE), beginning 1 January 2026. During a 2 December 2025 webinar, officials announced a five-year framework to provide stakeholder visibility and set an annual obligation of 1,050 terawatt-hours-c

Ministry Faces Criticism Over Adopted Amendments to Energy Regulations France: The Ministry Faces Criticism Over Adopted Amendments to Energy Regulations as Florence Lievyn, president of the GPCEE and member of the Higher Council for Energy, denounces the government's inflexibility after the CSE adopted public-consultation amendments with an unfavourable government opinion. A key amendment keeps the 2030 target for tertiary buildings while restoring the 2027 ambition for resi

Maxeda DIY Plans Divestment of 10 Benelux Stores Netherlands/Belgium/Luxembourg: Maxeda DIY, owner of Brico and Praxis chains, is preparing to divest 10 company-operated stores across the Benelux region to strengthen its balance sheet. The portfolio would include 4 stores in the Netherlands, 4 in Belgium, and 2 in Luxembourg, while Maxeda would retain about 180 Dutch locations. The group plans to transfer the stores to franchise operators to reduce its debt, with expected pro

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

NIBE enters Scottish distribution agreement with William Wilson Scotland: NIBE Energy Systems Limited has announced a distribution partnership with William Wilson, a plumbing, heating and bathroom merchant in Scotland. Beginning in January 2026, William Wilson is expected to stock and distribute NIBE’s air source and ground source heat pumps together with a range of related accessories. The agreement is intended to broaden access to NIBE products for installers and customers

Thermostat FRANCE: A decree issued on 7 June 2023 required all homes and buildings to be fitted with programmable thermostats by 2027. However, Finance Minister Roland Lescure announced via Bluesky that this deadline has been postponed to 2030 to provide “greater flexibility for households and professionals to equip themselves.” From 13 November until this Thursday, the government opened a public consultation on pushing the compliance date to 1 January 2030 for both residenti

After a few challenging years, the European ventilation market is finally seeing light at the end of the ductwork Ventilation manufacturers have faced better times. Following more than a decade of steady growth, demand for ventilation products in Europe peaked in 2022. Since then, sales have declined across most countries and product categories. Among the 23 European markets covered by the BRG Ventilation Programme 2025, only the UK, Ireland, Spain, Greece, France, and Belgiu

Italy launches biogas-powered district heating and cooling system Italy: Italy has introduced its first integrated district heating and cooling system powered entirely by biogas produced from sewage sludge. The facility, located in Peschiera Borromeo near Milan, uses anaerobic digestion to generate biogas that supplies both heat and chilled water. Developed by CAP Evolution, the project establishes a new technological model at the national level and supports Gruppo CAP’s long

Trone Expands Its Design-Driven Bathroom Portfolio with New Celeste Mixer France: Trone, known for disrupting domestic and semi public toilets, is expanding into the bathroom sector with Celeste, its first monumental washbasin mixer. After “re enchanting the toilet” with its distinctive toilet bowls Icone, Callipyge and the Kaoline control plate, the brand now offers basins, washbasins (Orb and Rituel), and accessories (Trium), and has introduced Celeste a striking 60 cm brus

UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme Sees Record Heat Pump Grant Applications UK: The UK’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has received over 102,735 grant applications, with 86,446 vouchers approved since its launch in May 2022, driven by strong demand in 2025. October saw 4,013 applications, 4% higher than October 2024, bringing the first ten months’ total to 37,700 applications, ahead of the previous annual record of 33,657 in 2024. BUS provides grants for air-source and ground-source heat

The European bathroom market remained stable in 2024, declining marginally, navigating shifting consumer preferences, evolving housing dynamics, and broader economic pressures. Eastern Europe maintained a slight lead in overall activity, supported by consistent demand across core categories. Western Europe, while marginally behind in total installations, continues to set the pace for long-term growth, particularly in renovation-led upgrades.  Housing RMI remained the dominant

Airzone Partners with Zeliatech to Expand HVAC Control Solutions in Italy Spain/Italy: Airzone, a Spanish provider of HVAC control technologies, has entered into a collaboration with Zeliatech Srl of the Esprinet Group to strengthen Zeliatech’s Smart Building division. Through this partnership, Zeliatech customers will gain access to Airzone’s temperature and air quality control systems, including multi-zone management integrated into leading home automation platforms. The co

Energy Regulator Simplifies Conditions Ukraine: Ukraine has removed licensing requirements for producing thermal energy in cogeneration units when the energy is sold to a heat supply organization at a price not exceeding 50% of the single-rate population tariff, with businesses now only required to notify the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development, NKREKP, and local authorities within three working days of starting operations. The number of documents needed to ob