Release Details

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced third-quarter 2010 net sales of $480.6 million, compared to net sales of $457.8 million for the same period of 2009. Net earnings for the third quarter of 2010 were $2.6 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $10.1 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

The Company grew sales in three of its four markets: Sales to industrial and manufactured housing customers increased 19.3 percent and 18.2 percent, respectively, during the quarter, while sales to site-built construction customers rose 1.6 percent. Only Do-It-Yourself/retail saw a sales decrease, of 7.7 percent, due to weak demand that resulted in slow retail sales. Net earnings were impeded by the spike in lumber costs, which occurred in the spring.

While lumber prices stabilized during the third quarter of 2010, inventories were built earlier in the year--when lumber prices were up as much as 52 percent over the previous year--in preparation for a solid selling season, which didn't materialize. At the end of June, the Company's inventory consisted primarily of higher-cost lumber, which adversely affected profits in the third quarter. The Company has sold through this product, and by the end of the third quarter its inventories comprised lumber purchased at a much lower cost.

"This was the most challenging lumber market I've seen in my 36 years with the company, and I'm proud of the way our people managed through it," said CEO Michael B. Glenn. "Frankly, this type of market has the potential to wipe out an entire year's profits for most companies that operate in our industries. Fortunately, our agility and diverse business model have allowed us to generate more than $17 million in net earnings for the year so far. With more than $58 million in cash and only $53 million in debt, we have the resources to take advantage of opportunities that arise. We remain in an enviable position in our markets."

By market, Universal posted the following gross sales results for the third quarter of 2010:

Do-It-Yourself/retail: $197.9 million, a decrease of 7.7 percent from the same period of 2009. Unit sales to this market declined 10 percent due to soft demand. Predictions for 2011 and beyond hinge on the stabilization and eventual improvement of the economy. Most experts forecast a recovery to begin in 2011. The Home Improvement Research Institute believes 2011 will see a gain of just 1.6 percent in home improvement spending, with growth hovering between 6 and 7 percent annually in subsequent years. Universal continues to add to the products it offers to retailers and drive costs out of its processes in its persistent efforts to be the low-cost producer.

Industrial packaging/components: $158.1 million, up 19.3 percent over the third quarter of 2009. Unit sales increased by more than 12 percent during the quarter, due primarily to market share gains that resulted from adding 252 new customers. This continues to be an area of strong growth potential for Universal because the market remains fragmented, offering opportunities for a national player. The Company is focused on adding customers and products, as well as on expanding its reach into concrete forming and non-wood packaging materials.

Site-built construction: $70.1 million, up 1.6 percent over same period of 2009. Unit sales decreased by approximately 4 percent during the quarter, due to an 11 percent decrease from plants the Company has closed since the third quarter of 2009, offset by a 7 percent increase in shipments out of plants that continued to operate. Nationally, housing starts decreased almost 6 percent comparing June through August 2010 with the same period of 2009. (Shipment of the Company's products to the job site lag housing starts by approximately one month.) The Company continues to evaluate and close plants in order to achieve profitability and cash flow objectives. Universal believes this industry will be challenged for years to come and continues to focus on commercial, government and turnkey projects to diversify its business and add value for the customer.

Manufactured housing: $63.4 million, an increase of 18.2 percent over 2009. Unit sales to this market increased by 12 percent primarily due to operations it recently acquired, which reflect the Company's strategy to expand its product offering to these customers and expand its distribution business, in which it offers everything from adhesives to plumbing supplies.

OUTLOOK

The Company expects the current challenging conditions to prevail through 2010, limiting its ability to provide meaningful guidance for ranges of likely financial performance; therefore, the Company will not provide guidance for the foreseeable future. However, given the significant adverse impact of the lumber market mentioned earlier in this release, the Company does not expect to achieve growth in net earnings in 2010, although it is optimistic about its performance in 2011 and beyond as the economy improves, given its strong financial position, solid business model and diverse business opportunities.

CONFERENCE CALL

Universal Forest Products will conduct a conference call to discuss information included in this news release and related matters at 8 a.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010. The call will be hosted by CEO Michael B. Glenn, and will be available for analysts and institutional investors domestically at (866) 788-0545 or internationally at (857) 350-1683. Use conference pass code 25334951. 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 Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, domestically at (888) 286-8010 and internationally at (617) 801-6888. Use replay pass code 32007502.

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 and other products for the manufactured housing industry, engineered wood components for the site-built construction market, and specialty wood packaging and components and packing materials for various industries. Universal's subsidiaries also provide framing services for the site-built market, and forming products for concrete construction. 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. 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.

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, 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: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse 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