Release Details

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Forest Products® (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced that Elizabeth A. Nickels, chief financial officer, will be leaving the company following the January 19, 2000 board meeting. Ms. Nickels has accepted a position as chief financial officer of Herman Miller Incorporated of Zeeland, Michigan. Michael R. Cole, UFPI's director of finance and treasury, has been appointed vice president of finance and acting chief financial officer. The company will evaluate various candidates, including Cole, and announce its permanent chief financial officer in the near future.

"Beth has been a tremendous asset to our company since she arrived in 1993," said William G. Currie, UFPI's chief executive officer. "Her financial leadership, communication, and team building skills will be greatly missed. I have sincerely enjoyed having her as part of our management team, and wish her every success in her new position."

Peter F. Secchia, UFPI's chairman of the board, stated, "Even though this is not a pleasant situation for the company, it is an honor to its systems, and principles, that an outstanding firm like Herman Miller would pursue one of our executives. She has done a great job for UFPI."

"This was an extremely difficult decision for me," said Nickels. "Universal is an incredible company with an exciting future, and I have been very happy to be part of its dynamic growth and executive management team. Although I am leaving to explore new professional opportunities, I am very comfortable in knowing that the financial management of the company is in good hands with Michael Cole. Michael has worked closely with me in every facet of finance and treasury, and is well prepared to handle the new responsibilities. I will miss all of my friends at UFPI, and I wish them continued success."

Universal Forest Products® markets, manufactures, and engineers, products for DIY retail home centers, structural lumber products for the manufactured housing industry, complex wood components for the site-built construction market, and specialty wood packaging for various industries. For information about Universal Forest Products® on the Internet, please contact the company's investor relations web site at www.ufpi.com , or call 1-888-Buy-UFPI.

Included in this report are certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company at the time such statements were 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. These risk factors and additional information are included in the company's reports on Form 10K and 10Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Universal Forest Products, Inc.

CONTACT: Charles R. Felix, Sr. V.P. Development, or Elizabeth A. Nickels, Chief Financial Officer, both of Universal Forest Products, Inc., 616-364-6161; or General Info., Tad Gage, 312-640-6745, Analysts, Claire Koeneman, 312-640-6784, both of the Financial Relations Board/