Release Details

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sep 29, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In a move that will enhance the partnership between two building product powerhouses, Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:UFPI) announced that it will provide Trus Joist engineered wood products to its customers in the Southeastern United States.

Universal will cease production of its own products in that region and instead will provide Trus Joist's Silent Floor(R) joists, as well as other Trus Joist products, to its builder customers.

Trus Joist, A Weyerhaeuser Business, is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of engineered lumber products. Universal Forest Products is a leading manufacturer and supplier of wood and wood-alternative products to four markets, including the site-built industry.

"Universal has long enjoyed a business relationship with Trus Joist and Weyerhaeuser," said Universal President and COO Michael B. Glenn. "This new partnership will allow us to enhance our service and product offering to our growing client list in the Southeastern United States."

"Trus Joist has superior marketing, technical, and sales support and is a leader in engineered wood products in the site-built industry," added Don James, vice president of Universal Forest Products' Atlantic Region. "By combining those strengths with Universal's component manufacturing capabilities and our strong service to and relationships with site-built customers, our two companies will be able to provide unparalleled product and service solutions to builders from Baltimore to Florida. It's an exciting addition to an already strong business relationship."

"We're pleased to expand our partnership with Universal and to have the opportunity to offer our product line and customer service to Universal and its customers in the thriving Southeastern site-built market," said Jeff Buckley, Trus Joist's residential eastern division manager. "Universal and Trus Joist have the same commitment to quality, to service, and to the customer and this new partnership will benefit not just our companies, but also - and more importantly -- the builders who use our products and who rely on our service to build quality homes."

Celebrating 50 years of business, Universal Forest Products markets, manufactures and engineers wood and wood-alternative products for DIY/retail home centers, structural lumber products for the manufactured housing industry, engineered wood components for the site-built construction market and specialty wood and wood-alternative packaging for various industries. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, the company has approximately 9,500 employees who work in nearly 100 facilities in North America. Universal had 2004 sales of $2.45 billion. For information about Universal Forest Products on the Internet, please visit the Company's web site at http://www.ufpi.com, or call 888-Buy-UFPI.

Based in Boise, Idaho, Trus Joist has a reputation for outstanding customer service and technical support. They manufacture engineered lumber products such as the Silent Floor(R) joist and TimberStrand(R) laminated strand lumber (LSL) for beams, columns and wall studs. Trus Joist, A Weyerhaeuser Business operates 20 manufacturing plants in North America and Australia with sales offices worldwide. Trus Joist is recognized as the world's leading manufacturer of engineered wood products, which provide greater value for the homeowner, the builder, and the environment.

SOURCE: Universal Forest Products, Inc.

Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Mark Deremo, 616-365-1557