Release Details

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Forest Products®, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) through its Universal Truss, Inc. subsidiary, plans to expand the geographical reach of its engineered wood components business by acquiring the assets of Gang-Nail Components, Inc. of Fontana, California. Universal currently operates 32 engineered wood components facilities in 14 states and Canada. The acquisition is scheduled to close following the company's normal due diligence and Board approval.

"Since their beginning in 1965, the Gang-Nail Components facility has emerged as the largest supplier of roof and floor trusses in Southern California," said William G. Currie, UFPI's chief executive officer. "With $41 million in 1999 revenues, the Gang-Nail facility has earned an outstanding reputation for quality, service, and technical expertise. We have been looking to enter the engineered wood components business in the high growth Southern California market, and are very excited to have the opportunity to establish a platform for our growth on the West Coast."

John Hanna, Gang-Nail Components president and chief executive officer, commented, "We are very pleased to join forces with Universal Forest Products and execute our strategic plan. We see this as an outstanding opportunity to accelerate the growth of our business and to provide greater resources to meet the needs of our customers."

Universal Forest Products® markets, manufactures, and engineers 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 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 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 and Investor Relations, 616-364-6161, or Michael R. Cole, V.P. of Finance, 616-364-6161, both of Universal Forest Products, Inc.; or Matthew Della Croce, Sr. Vice President, 212-453-2316, or Pat McCoy, Managing Supervisor, 212-453-2272, both of Fleishman Hillard/