Release Details

UFPI Reports 2009 Net Earnings of $24.3 Million Compared to $4.3
Million in 2008

February 8, 2010
Company positioned for new growth and profitability with strongest balance sheet in the industry
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb 08, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced 2009 results including annual net earnings of $24.3 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, on net sales of $1.7 billion, compared to annual net earnings of $4.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, on net sales of $2.2 billion for 2008. For the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company posted a net loss of $663,000, or ($0.03) per diluted share, on net sales of $338.6 million. That compares to a 2008 fourth-quarter loss of $793,000, or ($0.04) per diluted share, on net sales of $423.7 million.

"The people of this company demonstrated their collective spirit by working hard to create profitability despite a drop in sales, and to create success under trying conditions," said CEO Michael B. Glenn. "We continue to eliminate waste and to focus on critical basics like inventory and receivables--which have proven to be the right strategies for fragile times.

"We will maintain a keen eye on those strategies in 2010, and will add an intense focus on sales growth during the year," he added. "Although we expect 2010 to be challenging, we've laid the groundwork to achieve new and sustainable growth in the future, and we're already seeing results."

Glenn noted that the Company's balanced business model "allowed us to discover new paths to success" within its four markets, and that he also expects steady growth in the Company's traditional business.

A contributing factor to the Company's 25 percent decline in annual net sales in 2009 was the 12 percent drop in the average composite lumber price from 2008. By market, Universal posted the following gross sales results for 2009:

Do-It-Yourself/retail: $130.7 million for the fourth quarter, a decrease of 14.8 percent from the same period of 2008. Annual gross DIY sales of $805.0 million in 2009 reflect a decrease of 12.4 percent from 2008. Sales throughout the year were negatively affected by extended high unemployment, a fragile economy, and weak consumer confidence. However, the Company remains a leading supplier to big-box and independent retailers, and is looking for growth with new customers and new products in 2010 and beyond. In addition, in 2009, the Company instituted initiatives and practices intended to increase its value to customers.

Industrial packaging/components: $111.6 million for the fourth quarter, a decrease of 8.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008. For the year, gross sales of $479.3 million reflect a decrease of 20.0 percent from 2008. Although 2009 sales in this market struggled along with U.S. manufacturing, Universal expects sustainable growth moving forward. In addition to its traditional industrial business--engineering and producing packaging and components for manufacturing and agricultural customers--the Company is enhancing its focus on related packaging products and accessories, and on its concrete forming business. The Company continues to be a leading supplier to these fragmented markets, but still has only a small fraction of the available business.

Site-built construction: Fourth-quarter sales of $54.2 million reflect a decrease of 42.4 percent from the same period of 2008. For the year, sales of $244.1 million were down 46.0 percent from 2008. According to the most recent statistics available, total housing starts were down 38.8 percent year-to-date in December 2009 from the same period of 2008. Universal continues to focus on making sure it remains a preferred supplier to builders, on balancing its business within the site-built market, and on adding new opportunities for sustainable business moving forward as the housing sector recovers slowly in the coming years.

Manufactured housing: $48.9 million in sales for the fourth quarter reflect a drop of 15.2 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008. Annual sales of $183.9 million were down 39.4 percent from 2008. According to the most recent statistics available, the industry saw a decline of 39 percent in actual shipments of HUD-code homes in 2009 from 2008. Additionally, the National Modular Housing Council estimates a decrease of 44 percent in modular home shipments in 2009 from 2008. Because Universal maintains a dominant share of the HUD-code and modular markets, its performance essentially will track with the industry. Universal continues to seek new opportunities to generate increased revenue by expanding its product offering to its customers.

CONFERENCE CALL

Universal Forest Products will conduct a conference call to discuss information included in this news release and related matters at 4:30 p.m. ET on Monday, February 8, 2010. The call will be hosted by CEO Michael B. Glenn and CFO Michael Cole, and will be available for analysts and institutional investors domestically at (866) 383-7998 or internationally at (617) 597-5329. Use conference pass code number 53774194. The conference call will be available simultaneously and in its entirety to all interested investors and news media through a webcast at http://www.ufpi.com. A replay of the call will be available through March 4, 2010, domestically at (888) 286-8010 and internationally at (617) 801-6888. Use replay pass code number 38021227.

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Universal Forest Products, Inc. is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that design, manufacture and market wood and wood-alternative products for DIY/retail home centers and other retailers, structural lumber products for the manufactured housing industry, engineered wood components for the site-built construction market, and specialty wood packaging and components for various industries. The Company's consumer products subsidiary offers a large portfolio of outdoor living products, including wood composite decking, decorative balusters, post caps and plastic lattice. Its lawn and garden group offers an array of products, such as trellises and arches, to retailers nationwide. Universal's subsidiaries also provide framing services for the site-built market and forming products for concrete construction. Founded in 1955, Universal Forest Products is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with operations throughout North America. For more about Universal Forest Products, go to www.ufpi.com.

Please be aware that: Any statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as on assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company at the time such statements were made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: adverse lumber market trends, competitive activity, negative economic trends, government regulations and weather. Certain of these risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 2009/2008
Quarter Period Year to Date
(In thousands, except per share data) 2009 2008 2009 2008
NET SALES $ 338,565 100 % $ 423,653 100 % $ 1,673,000 100 % $ 2,232,394 100 %
COST OF GOODS SOLD 294,383 87.0 373,800 88.2 1,430,249 85.5 1,978,193 88.6
GROSS PROFIT 44,182 13.0 49,853 11.8 242,751 14.5 254,201 11.4
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 43,716 12.9 50,255 11.9 200,026 12.0 228,557 10.2
NET (GAIN) LOSS ON DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
AND OTHER IMPAIRMENT AND EXIT CHARGES 1,154 0.3 685 0.2 (92 ) - 7,239 0.3
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS (688 ) (0.2 ) (1,087 ) (0.3 ) 42,817 2.6 18,405 0.8
Interest expense 1,208 0.4 2,499 0.6 4,611 0.3 12,088 0.5
Interest income (133 ) - (66 ) - (391 ) - (829 ) -
1,075 0.3 2,433 0.6 4,220 0.3 11,259 0.5
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (1,763 ) (0.5 ) (3,520 ) (0.8 ) 38,597 2.3 7,146 0.3
INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT) (956 ) (0.3 ) (2,969 ) (0.7 ) 13,852 0.8 1,686 0.1
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) (807 ) (0.2 ) (551 ) (0.1 ) 24,745 1.5 5,460 0.2
LESS NET (EARNINGS) LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST 144 - (242 ) (0.1 ) (473 ) - (1,117 ) (0.1 )
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO
CONTROLLING INTEREST $ (663 ) (0.2 ) $ (793 ) (0.2 ) $ 24,272 1.5 $ 4,343 0.2
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE - BASIC $ (0.03 ) $ (0.04 ) $ 1.26 $ 0.23
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE - DILUTED $ (0.03 ) $ (0.04 ) $ 1.25 $ 0.23
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
FOR BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) 19,292 19,161 19,256 19,074
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
FOR DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) 19,292 19,161 19,468 19,225
SUPPLEMENTAL SALES DATA
Quarter Period Year to Date
Market Classification 2009 % 2008 % 2009 % 2008 %
Do-It-Yourself/Retail $ 130,658 38 % $ 153,332 35 % $ 805,052 47 % $ 919,200 41 %
Site-Built Construction 54,234 16 % 94,123 22 % 244,117 14 % 452,689 20 %
Industrial 111,627 32 % 122,040 29 % 479,284 28 % 598,915 26 %
Manufactured Housing 48,928 14 % 57,708 14 % 183,912 11 % 303,387 13 %
Total Gross Sales 345,447 100 % 427,203 100 % 1,712,365 100 % 2,274,191 100 %
Sales Allowances (6,882 ) (3,550 ) (39,365 ) (41,797 )
Total Net Sales $ 338,565 $ 423,653 $ 1,673,000 $ 2,232,394
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 2009/2008
(In thousands)
ASSETS 2009 2008 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 2009 2008
CURRENT ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES
Cash and cash equivalents $ 82,219 $ 13,337 Accounts payable $ 64,473 $ 63,184
Accounts receivable 107,383 138,043 Accrued liabilities 70,038 71,926
Inventories 162,148 193,496 Current portion of long-term
Assets held for sale - 8,296 debt and capital leases 673 15,490
Other current assets 31,599 27,736
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 383,349 380,908 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 135,184 150,600
OTHER ASSETS 4,478 5,927 LONG-TERM DEBT AND
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 173,751 182,014 CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS,
PROPERTY, PLANT less current portion 53,181 85,684
AND EQUIPMENT, NET 230,099 247,170 OTHER LIABILITIES 34,366 31,509
EQUITY 568,946 548,226
TOTAL ASSETS $ 791,677 $ 816,019 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 791,677 $ 816,019
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 2009/2008
(In thousands) 2009 2008
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest $ 24,272 $ 4,343
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
from operating activities:
Depreciation 32,917 37,570
Amortization of intangibles 8,308 9,797
Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements 1,597 1,136
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements (603 ) (171 )
Expense associated with stock grant plans 109 104
Deferred income taxes (credit) 4,744 (7,747 )
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest 473 1,117
Gain on insurance settlement (598 )
Net (gain) loss on sale or impairment of assets (773 ) 7,062
Changes in:
Accounts receivable 31,071 4,287
Inventories 31,522 42,922
Accounts payable 610 (20,153 )
Accrued liabilities and other (5,901 ) 8,882
NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 128,346 88,551
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment (15,604 ) (18,944 )
Purchase of joint venture (659 ) -
Acquisitions, net of cash received - (23,338 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 11,724 30,367
Advances of notes receivable (14 ) (997 )
Collection of notes receivable 171 556
Insurance proceeds 1,023 800
Other, net 30 189
NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (3,329 ) (11,367 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net repayments under revolving credit facilities (30,257 ) (24,148 )
Repayment of long-term debt (19,207 ) (80,824 )
Borrowings of long-term debt 800 -
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 2,420 2,957

Purchase of additional noncontrolling interest

(1,770 ) -
Distributions to noncontrolling interest (270 ) (3,654 )
Investment received from minority shareholder 14 419
Dividends paid to shareholders (5,017 ) (2,284 )
Repurchase of common stock (3,379 ) -
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements 603 171
Other, net (72 ) (89 )
NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES (56,135 ) (107,452 )
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 68,882 (30,268 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 13,337 43,605
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 82,219 $ 13,337
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Interest 4,905 12,418
Income taxes 12,346 (8 )

SOURCE: Universal Forest Products

Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Lynn Afendoulis
Director, Corporate Communications
(616) 365-1502