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New Leaders in East Announced

July 1, 2014

Patrick Benton and Jonathan West Promoted to Executive Vice President

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 1, 2014-- Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) is pleased to announce the promotion of two company veterans to new leadership roles in its eastern division: Patrick Benton and Jonathan West have been promoted to the new roles of executive vice president of the north and south, respectively. The appointments are effective immediately.

The move is intended to bolster leadership and foster continued growth and success of UFP Eastern Division, Inc., a busy and growing territory that includes operations primarily east of the Mississippi River.

“The exciting growth of our operations in the East and the numerous facilities in the division prompted us to make moves that will best accommodate business and opportunity today and nurture continued growth,” said CEO Matthew J. Missad. “We are excited about giving these two strong leaders responsibility for the growth and success of their respective territories. We have every confidence they’ll use their vast experience and skills to create new energy for their businesses, new opportunities for their people, and exciting growth for the companies of Universal.”

Both Benton and West will report to COO Pat Webster.

Benton joined Universal in 1993 as a production trainee in Saginaw, Texas. He held positions of increasing responsibility there and in Schertz, New Waverly and Houston, Texas. In 2008, he was promoted to the position he held before his promotion: vice president of operations in South Texas.

“Patrick knows how to build and energize winning teams,” Webster said. “He was instrumental in growing Texas into a thriving region with strong operations and great opportunity. He has experience in all of our markets, and we know he’ll nurture a winning culture among his operations.”

West joined Universal in 1994 as a sales trainee in Salisbury, N.C. He was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility in Salisbury and New London, N.C., and Ashburn, Ga., and in 2007, to regional vice president of the Southeast, the position he held before his promotion.

“Jonathan is highly regarded for his sales acumen and his thoughtful leadership,” Missad said. “His operations and region have consistently shone in sales and innovation. He knows how to create opportunity and drive sales.”

Webster added: “Jonathan’s ability to develop people and strong teams will help the Southern operations achieve strong and steady growth. We look forward to having him in this important new role.”

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Universal Forest Products, Inc. is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that supply wood, wood composite and other products to three robust markets: retail, construction and industrial. Founded in 1955, the Company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with affiliates throughout North America. For 2013, it reported $2.5 billion in sales. For more about Universal Forest Products, go to www.ufpi.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets we serve, the economy and the Company itself. Words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “likely,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, events, or assumptions 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: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse economic conditions in the markets we serve; government regulations, particularly involving environmental and safety regulations; and our ability to make successful business acquisitions. Certain of these risk factors as well as other 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.

Source: Universal Forest Products

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