Universal Forest Products Named to Forbes ``Platinum 400'' for Seventh Time in Eight Years
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec 29, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:UFPI) announced that it again has been named to Forbes magazine's prestigious "Platinum 400," an annual listing of "America's best big companies." It's the seventh time in eight years Universal has been included on the list, which appears in the Jan. 9, 2006 issue of Forbes.
According to the magazine, companies are chosen for the list first by revenue (they must have over $1 billion in sales) and then by ranking highly in measurements of corporate practices as well as in sales and earnings growth, stock market returns, debt to total capital, and consensus forecasts for long-term earnings growth.
Universal was among the top ten companies chosen for the materials industry, which also includes companies like Cleveland-Cliffs, Commercial Metals, Steel Technologies, and Massey Energy.
"This recognition is testament to the strength of Universal's business model and strategies, and to our people, who make us successful and proud," said Universal CEO and Vice Chairman William G. Currie.
Based in Grand Rapids, MI, 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. The company also provides framing services for site-built construction customers. Universal Forest Products has approximately 9,000 employees who work in 100 facilities throughout North America. The company had 2004 sales of $2.45 billion.
Among other recognitions, Universal:
-- Was named one of the "50 Best Manufacturing Companies" in the country by IndustryWeek magazine.
-- In 2005 jumped 81 places on the annual "Fortune 1000" listing of America's largest corporations to land at number 651.
-- Was named one of 60 "Cool Places to Work" in Michigan in a first-of-its-kind competition jointly held by Crain's Detroit Business and the Grand Rapids Business Journal.
For information about Universal Forest Products, go to http://www.ufpi.com , or call 888-Buy-UFPI.
SOURCE: Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Lynn Afendoulis, 616-365-1502