PRO Group names merchandise manager

Denver-based PRO Group hired Trent Kauffman as merchandise manager.

Kauffman’s responsibilities include managing electrical, home hardware, and lawn and garden.

In a statement, Kauffman said he was excited to joint PRO Group.

“Since 1998, I have either been working in or on behalf of independent hardware and home improvement retailers, and I look forward to putting that experience to work for PRO Group,” he said. “Independently owned businesses are a vital part of our economy, and I am excited for the opportunity to support this group of dealers and distributors.”

Kaufmann will travel to distributor and industry events in the coming weeks and will be at the annual Group Merchandising Conference June 20-22 at the Embassy Suites O’Hare in Chicago.

Prior to joining PRO Group, Trent worked at True Value Company where he was a product merchant for MRO. Previously he worked at Sears/Kmart as buyer for live goods.

He started his career at Jerry’s Home Improvement in Eugene, Oregon, as an assistant store manager and as a buyer for lawn and garden, electrical, and home organization. 

An organization of member hardware distributors, PRO Group’s retail brands include PRO Hardware, GardenMaster, Farm Mart and Golden-Link.