Release Details

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.05 per share, payable December 15, 2003 to shareholders of record on December 1, 2003. The company has paid an annual cash dividend since 1983, a semi-annual dividend since 1993, and has increased its dividend in each of the past nine years. This is the company's 32nd consecutive cash dividend.

"It's been our belief and practice to thank our shareholders for their trust by paying dividends and we're proud and grateful to have a long record of those payments," said Peter F. Secchia, UFPI's chairman of the board. "It is our intent to continue this practice by building our value and success, day by day, customer by customer."

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 for various industries. Among the company's newest and fastest-growing ventures are framing and installation services for the site-built and retail sectors. In partnership with its customers, Universal uses its engineering and manufacturing expertise, coupled with highly skilled employees, to design and construct buildings and decks. For information about Universal Forest Products on the Internet, please visit the Company's web site at www.ufpi.com or call 888-Buy-UFPI.

SOURCE Universal Forest Products, Inc.

CONTACT: Lynn Afendoulis, Director, Public Affairs of Universal Forest Products, Inc., +1-616-364-6161