Release Details

World's First and Only Such Product to Earn EPP Status

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2007--Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:UFPI), the nation's leading manufacturer and distributor of treated wood products, is proud to note that the chemical formulation it uses to treat wood is the only one to earn the esteemed Green Cross recognition, which marks its treated wood as an Environmentally Preferred Product.

Universal's treated product line, ProWood Micro(R), is manufactured with MicroPro(TM), a product of Osmose Inc. that last week was named the first and only wood preservative technology in the world to earn the Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) certification from Scientific Certification Systems, a leading third-party certification firm. To earn EPP certification, a product must demonstrate reduced impact on human health and the environment when compared to other products that serve the same purpose as measured by guidelines published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"We have touted the environmental benefits of treated wood for decades," said Universal President and CEO Michael B. Glenn. "We're delighted that our ProWood Micro products now can be recognized as friendly to the environment and human health, thanks to the state-of-the-art micronizing technology developed by our good partners at Osmose."

"Our business depends on a healthy environment, which our practices have recognized and promoted for years and years," Glenn added, noting that Universal's pressure-treated lumber products are produced from plentiful, fast-growing species from managed forests. In addition, use of pressure-treated wood, which lasts decades, saves millions of trees each year.

Universal's ProWood Micro(R) product line has been heralded by the industry. Among other things, it won the 2007 Editors' Choice Award from ProSales magazine, was named the Next Innovative Pressure-Treated Wood by Green Building Products Dealer, was one of the 50 Hot Products featured at the 2007 International Builders Show, and was promoted as one of the Innovative Products 2007 in the Journal of Light Construction.

Universal Forest Products markets, manufactures and engineers wood and wood-alternative products for D-I-Y retail home centers; 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 provides framing services for the site-built sector and recently announced its foray into the concrete forming market, in which it manufactures the wood forms used by concrete construction companies. The Company's consumer products division includes wood and wood-composite decking and railings; decorative balusters and post caps; and other outdoor living products for the spectrum of tastes and budgets. Universal has approximately 9,000 employees throughout North America. Sales for 2006 were $2.66 billion. For more information about Universal Forest Products, visit www.ufpi.com.

CONTACT: Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Lynn Afendoulis, 616-365-1502
Director, Corporate Communications

SOURCE: Universal Forest Products