INDUSTRY NEWS Inbrief
Tendra Technical Services has announced the acquisition of technical building services company The James Mercer Group and HVAC specialist Fletchers Engineering Ltd.
www.triton-partners.com
As UK small businesses gear up for a new year of trading, research from Novuna Business Finance reveals a fi ve-year peak in the percentage of small business owners (84%) that are starting 2026 with plans to invest in new growth initiatives in order to make their enterprises stronger for the year ahead
www.novuna.co.uk
Safe Monitoring Group AB, an industry group of gas detector manufacturers, closed the acquisition of Advanced Gas Systems Ltd. Safe Monitoring Group will together with AGSL continue the expansion of their work to protect people, equipment and the environment from hazardous gas leaks.
https://safemonitoringgroup.com
CIBSE is refreshing its brand identity, marking a signifi cant moment in its 129-year history and signalling a new era for how the institution presents itself to the world. The updated brand refl ects a more modern, accessible and forward-thinking CIBSE, aligned with the evolving demands of the building services profession.
www.cibse.org
Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has unveiled a stream of activities to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year. In collaboration with its members, the UK’s largest electrical trade association will showcase 125 years of progress and a future full of opportunities through a range of activities at national and regional levels.
www.eca.co.uk
Viessmann Climate Solutions has been appointed to the four-year Procure Plus Framework for the Supply of Low & Zero Carbon Technologies. This initiative will support the delivery of energy- effi cient upgrades across social housing and other public sector buildings nationwide. Viessmann Climate Solutions is a part of Carrier Global Corporation
viessmann-climatesolutions.com
AIR AND WATER GIANT PALOMA RHEEM TAKES MAJORITY STAKE IN GROUPE ATLANTIC
T
he two groups announce the signing of an agreement under which Paloma Rheem Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Paloma Rheem”) will acquire a majority stake in
Groupe Atlantic. Amid ongoing global consolidation in the HVAC sector and increasing international competition, this transaction unites two highly complementary companies - geographically, technologically, and industrially - to create a global market leader. Paloma Rheem Holdings is one of the world’s leading air
and water companies, operating both air conditioning and water heating businesses. The group is comprised of Paloma and General in Japan, and Rheem in the United States, and is primarily engaged in the manufacturing and sales of air conditioning, water heating, heating, and kitchen equipment. Groupe Atlantic and Fujitsu General (“General”), a subsidiary of PRH, have been in a partnership for over 30 years, with Groupe Atlantic serving as General’s distributor for air conditioning equipment in France and Benelux. In 2022, the two companies also established a joint-venture to locally manufacture ATW (Air-to-Water) systems.
VENTILATION EXPERT RETURNS TO BREATHING BUILDINGS AS OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
B
reathing Buildings, a pioneer of hybrid ventilation systems, has announced the return
of Huw Poppy in his new role as operations director. Huw, who originally joined Breathing Buildings
in 2011 and previously held the position of sales director, brings 20 years of experience in the ventilation sector. He returns with extensive expertise across low-energy ventilation design, project delivery, and on-site technical support. Widely respected across the industry, Huw has built long-standing relationships with consultants, architects, and contractors. He is also currently the Secretary of the CIBSE Natural Ventilation Group, giving him strong insight into both current best practice and the future direction of ventilation design. In his new role, Huw will be responsible for
strengthening operational performance across product development, technical design, and servicing. He will also work closely with consultants and M&E contractors, providing technical support from initial early design stages through to installation and commissioning. Commenting on his return, Huw Poppy said: “I am
thrilled to have returned to the company at such an exciting time and look forward to supporting consultants and contractors in delivering low-energy ventilation solutions that make a genuine difference to building performance and energy consumption.”
Groupe Atlantic will maintain its headquarters in France
and will continue to operate as an independent company within the Paloma Rheem group. Some of Groupe Atlantic’s long-standing family shareholders will retain minority stakes, and the current management team remains in place to continue implementing their strategic and operational plan “This partnership with Paloma Rheem, a century-old
family-owned group with which we share a long-term vision and common values, represents a tremendous development opportunity for Groupe Atlantic. Paloma Rheem has consistently demonstrated its ability to invest in the companies it acquires and to support their long- term growth while granting signifi cant autonomy to local operational management. In a context of heightened international competition, this transaction provides us with the means to sustainably strengthen our competitiveness while accelerating our transition toward thermodynamic solutions,” said Damien Carroz, Chairman of the Management Board of Groupe Atlantic. The transaction is is expected to close in mid-2026.
CHRIS AINGER BECOMES BPF PIPES GROUP PRESIDENT
C
hris Ainger of Naylor Drainage Ltd is the newly appointed President of the BPF Pipes
Group.
Chris is managing director of Naylor and brings more than 20 years of
expertise in operational excellence, strategic growth and stakeholder leadership. With a strong record of improving performance, quality and sustainability across complex manufacturing environments, Chris joined Naylor in March 2025 to help build their vision. Prior to joining Naylor, Chris was General Manager at IPL Schoeller, who manufacture customised injection and blow moulded packaging solutions for food, consumer, agriculture, automotive, logistics and environmental markets, leading large teams and delivering signifi cant improvements in effi ciency, profi tability and customer service. His career includes senior roles in quality, health and safety, engineering and divisional leadership across sectors such as plastics, electrical distribution, medical devices and advanced manufacturing. With an MBA, a foundation in mechanical engineering
and extensive accreditation in quality and safety systems, Chris is known for developing high-performing teams, strengthening supply chains and driving sustainable business growth. His leadership will support the continued advancement of high-quality, sustainable pipe systems across the UK. The BPF Pipes Group welcome Chris to the helm and look forward to the steer and support that Chris will off er.
6 February 2026
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