The Home Depot opened The Home Depot Supply in Mesquite, Texas, in late February and plans to open additional units in Milpitas, Calif., in May and Highlands Ranch, Col., in June.

The Supply stores are set up to serve the needs of the professional contractor, with separate areas for electrical, paint, plumbing, millwork, hardware, lumber and building materials, each staffed with seasoned professionals, averaging 10 years in the trades. Two other Supply stores are operating in Phoenix and Colma, Calif.

Also The Home Depot appointed a management team to take charge of its growing professional contractor business: Ron Bogdanovich, vice president/Pro operations; Jim Stoddart, vice president/national accounts; and Dave Krumbholz, vice president/Home Depot Supply - sales & services.

"As we have rolled out our pro services package to a total of 535 Home Depot stores during the past fiscal year, we have gained great support from small and mid-size professional contractors," said Lynn Martineau, division president of new growth businesses, in a statement.

"Pros make up about 30% of our volume and we're looking forward to building on that foundation by extending the Pro initiative to an additional 400 stores next year," said Bob Nardelli, chairman/president/CEO, in a statement.