Universal Forest Products closes purchase of Custom Caseworks of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, sees acquisition as part of strategic objective to expand into new, value-added product lines for industrial market

Wendy Lisney

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan , January 2, 2013 (press release) – Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) today announced that a subsidiary has closed on the acquisition of Custom Caseworks, Inc., a high-precision business-to-business manufacturer of engineered wood products in many commercial markets. The purchase enhances Universal’s industrial business and expands its opportunities and product offerings.

“Custom Caseworks is a proven manufacturer and distributor with a reputation for superior products and service, and we’re pleased to add them to the Universal portfolio of companies,” said Universal Forest Products CEO Matthew J. Missad.

“We look forward to joining the Universal companies and to capitalizing on the synergies of our respective businesses and operations,” said Custom Caseworks, Inc. President and CEO John R. Lindholm. Lindholm will stay on as general manager of the business. “Universal is a respected manufacturer and supplier with significant resources that will help us grow our business to new levels of success. And Custom Caseworks will open new doors of opportunity for Universal. This is an exciting new chapter for our company, our people and our customers.”

Founded in 1994 and located in Sauk Rapids, Minn., Custom Caseworks is a manufacturer of point-of-purchase and commercial store fixtures, commercial casework and office furniture, laminated and painted wood panels, and OEM-manufactured and private label products. Its products and processes are strong complements to Universal’s growing industrial products and customer base. Custom Caseworks has annual sales of nearly $7 million, and recently added capacity for future growth. The addition of Custom Caseworks furthers Universal’s strategic objective to expand into new, value-added product lines for the industrial market, and adds capabilities to Universal’s offerings.

Missad praised Lindholm’s leadership in growing a successful company and team. “Custom Caseworks is the type of company we look for as we seek to execute our acquisition strategy: successful, proven, with a good book of business, a solid balance sheet, strong values and an irrefutable work ethic. We look forward to growing the opportunity and reach of Custom Caseworks, and our success.”

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Universal Forest Products, Inc. is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that design, manufacture and market wood and wood-alternative products for DIY/retail home centers and other retailers, structural lumber products for the manufactured housing industry, engineered wood components for residential and commercial construction, specialty wood packaging and components for various industries, and forming products for concrete construction. The Company's consumer products subsidiary offers a large portfolio of outdoor living products, including wood composite decking, decorative balusters, post caps and plastic lattice. Its lawn and garden group offers an array of products, such as trellises and arches, to retailers nationwide. Universal’s subsidiaries also provide framing services for the site-built construction market. Founded in 1955, Universal Forest Products is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with operations throughout North America. For more about Universal Forest Products, go to www.ufpi.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets we serve, the economy and the Company itself. Words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “likely,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, events, or assumptions that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are 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. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse conditions in the markets we serve; government regulations, particularly involving environmental and safety regulations; and our ability to make successful business acquisitions. Certain of these risk factors as well as other risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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