Universal Forest Products

Historical Timeline

1950s   1960s   1970s   1980s   1990s   2000s

1955

Universal Forest Products incorporated with William F. Grant as major stockholder and sole salesman.

1962

Michigan State University graduate Peter F. Secchia joined the company.

1970

Universal purchased the assets of a component yard in Thomasville, GA. The facility later moved to Moultrie, GA and Universal established its position in the southeastern market.

1971

  • The company had sales of $12 million.
  • Then vice president of sales Peter F. Secchia purchased control of the company.
  • Bill Currie, current Chairman of the Board, joined the company as a salesman.
  • Universal’s Pennsylvania Forest Products opened in St. Clair, PA. Universal subsequently replaced it with the present facility in Gordon, PA.

1972

  • Florida Component Products opened in Auburndale, FL serving both the retail industry and the state’s manufactured housing market.
  • The Universal Employee’s Profit Sharing and Retirement Trust Fund was instituted to reward long-term employees for their part in the company’s success. While not required to offer such a plan, Universal wanted to assist faithful workers at retirement. The initial contribution from corporate profits was $10,000.

1974

  • Universal next went to the Mid-Atlantic, opening a new component yard and manufacturing facility in North Carolina, centrally located between High Point and Charlotte, just outside of Salisbury.
  • Universal’s first business acquisition occurred in the important Northern Indiana mobile/RV/manufactured home building area with the purchase of the assets of Lumber Specialties of Granger, IN.

1978

  • First orders were shipped from the new Warrens, WI component yard location.
  • Texas Forest Products was added in Grandview (a suburb of Dallas, TX).
  • Florida plant produced its first “charge” of treated lumber in November.

1979

Universal shipped The Home Depot its first load of treated lumber.

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1981

The Gordon, PA plant began operations in January.

1982

  • Universal purchased a large wood treating plant in Union City, GA and rebuilt it.
  • Universal completed construction of a manufacturing/distribution facility which included a treating plant in Belchertown, MA, northeast of Springfield, to serve New England customers.

1983

Universal Forest Products was reorganized into five geographic divisions: Northeast, Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest and began operating all regional facilities under the Universal Forest Products umbrella.

1984

Universal opened the Windsor, CO plant.

1986

Universal purchased Far West Fir Sales, a well-established and respected wholesaler of softwood lumber products in California and Arizona. With this, Universal became truly nationwide.

1987

  • Ian Stalker joined Universal as vice president of wood preservation. Ian was an international authority on chemical pressure treatment of lumber, an instructor in the field, and a former executive with one of the world's leading producers of wood preservatives.
  • The Janesville, WI plant opened to meet the growing demand for treated lumber in the Chicago/ Milwaukee/Madison market.

1988

Universal opened a large, multi-market pressure-treating facility in Ranson, WV to serve the greater Tidewater area encompassing Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Richmond, VA.

1989

  • Peter Secchia was appointed United States Ambassador to Italy by President George H.W. Bush.
  • Bill Currie succeeded Peter Secchia as CEO.
  • Universal purchased a planing mill and distribution facility in Woodburn, OR.
  • Universal acquired the stock of a lumber distributor in Madison, WI ( which merged with Janesville, WI).
  • Having become the nation’s largest producer of pressure-treated lumber, Universal purchased land and equipment for construction of a Saginaw, TX treating plant (between Dallas and Ft. Worth).

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1991

Universal purchased a fence manufacturing facility in Lacolle, Quebec.

1992

The Salisbury, NC plant moved to a new, state-of-the-art facility and added lumber treating capabilities.

1993

  • Universal went public. It issued 5.7 million shares, raising $20 million in additional equity.
  • Universal purchased five of Chesapeake Corporation’s wood treating facilities plus the equipment of its sixth.

1995

Universal opened a treating facility in Harrisonville, MO.

1996

Universal acquired three facilities from Hi-Tek Forest Products (the facility was consolidated into our Woodburn, OR operations).

1997

  • Universal consolidated its five regional operating companies into two divisions, each with a purchasing office: the Eastern Division headquartered in Union City, GA (outside of Atlanta), and the Western Division headquartered in Windsor, CO (outside of Denver).
  • The company announced Performance 2002, an initiative designed to drive profitable growth into the next century.
  • Universal entered the site-built construction market with the purchase of Consolidated Building Components (with locations in Emlenton and Parker, PA) and Structural Lumber Products (with a plant in San Antonio). It was the beginning of new and significant growth for Universal.
  • The California facilities of Moreno Valley and Corona were consolidated into the Corona facility (which was later consolidated into the Riverside, CA facility).
  • Moultrie, GA added a wood preservation facility to its existing manufacturing, specialty manufacturing and distribution plants.
  • Universal purchased the Great Northern Wood Preserving treating plant in Lodi, OH.

1998

  • Less than one year after entering the site-built construction market, Universal became the nation's largest residential truss manufacturer with the acquisition of Shoffner Industries, Inc., the leading producer of roof and floor trusses for commercial and residential builders. Headquartered in Burlington, NC, Shoffner had 14 facilities in seven states. Today, it is Universal’s Atlantic Region.
  • Universal increased its presence in the site-built market with the acquisition of Advanced Component Systems, Inc., of Lafayette, CO, a producer of roof trusses, engineered building components and lumber products.
  • Universal also cemented its commitment to industrial packaging and other components with the acquisition of Atlantic General Packaging, a manufacturer of specialty wood packaging products in North Carolina. It was Universal’s first acquisition in the industrial market.
  • Universal acquired a 45% interest in Pino Exporta of Durango, Mexico, which changed its name to Pinelli Universal (Universal subsequently purchased another 5% interest). Pinelli manufactures moulding and millwork products for customers in the United States.

1999

  • Universal acquired lumber treating facilities in New Waverly and Silsbee, TX from Louisiana Pacific Corp.
  • Universal acquired a treating facility in Schertz, TX.
  • Universal built a plant in Liberty, NC.
  • Universal purchased a 41-acre remanufacturing facility in Riverside, CA.

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2000

  • Michael B. Glenn became President and Chief Operating Officer of the company. Bobby Hill became President of the Western Division. Eastern Division President James H. Ward retired from the company, replaced by Scott Greene who assumed this responsibility in April of 2000.
  • Universal's facilities in Huntington Beach and Corona, CA consolidated into the Riverside, CA facility.
  • Universal purchased a 50% ownership interest in Thorndale Roof Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of engineered roof trusses, and Edcor Floor Systems, Inc., a licensed manufacturer of Open Joist ™, in London, Ontario.
  • Universal acquired a lumber treating facility in Blanchester, OH.
  • Universal acquired Gang-Nail Components, Inc. in Fontana, CA, a manufacturer of engineered roof trusses, and changed its name to Universal Truss, Inc.
  • Universal acquired the Open Joist™ manufacturing plant in Elkhart, IN from Banks Corporation (the Elkhart plant subsequently was consolidated into the White Pigeon, MI facility).

2001

  • Universal acquired 50% of the assets of D&R Framing Contractors of Englewood, CO.
  • Universal purchased the remaining 50% of Thorndale Roof Systems/Edcor Floor Systems.
  • Universal purchased the assets of the wood component plants of Sunbelt Wood Components in New London, NC and Ashburn, GA to service the manufactured housing and industrial markets.
  • Universal acquired the assets of the Superior Truss division of Banks Corp., with a facility in Minneota, MN (subsequently merged with White Pigeon, MI).
  • Universal acquired the assets of P&R Truss, which manufactured trusses and distributed engineered wood products. P&R Truss had four facilities in the state of New York.
  • Universal became the exclusive distributor for Willamette Industries’ new engineered floor decking for manufactured homes.

2002

  • Peter Secchia retired from active employment. (All Universal employees must retire at the end of the fiscal year in which they turn 65, a policy Secchia instituted “to allow for a more continuous regeneration of management.”)  He maintains his position as Chairman Emeritus.
  • Universal named to Forbes magazine’s Platinum 400, an annual ranking of the 400 best- performing U.S. companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue.
  • Universal jumped 79 places on the annual "Fortune 1000" listing of America's largest corporations. UFP is ranked at number 842.
  • Universal acquired certain assets of and entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Springfield, IL-based Inno-Tech Plastics, Inc., opening the door to the wood-alternative products industry.
  • Universal announced plans to open its first Michigan manufacturing facility, which is to employ more than 100 people. The company planned to invest $3 million to renovate four buildings on 88 acres in White Pigeon, MI, a few miles north of the Indiana border.
  • Universal acquired a facility from Quality Wood Treating, Co., Inc. in Prairie du Chien, WI, which produced EverX composite decking.

2003

  • Universal purchased two plants from Quality Wood Treating Company, one in Lansing, MI and another in Janesville, WI.
  • Universal jumped to number 769 on the Fortune 1000. The company is rated highly against the other 11 companies included in the Forest and Paper Products industry. For example, Universal ranked #4 in profits (but posted the largest percent gain from 2001) and #1 in three areas: profits as a percent of assets and of stockholders’ equity, and in total return to investors in 2002.
  • Universal is named to the list of the “Top 50 U.S. Manufacturers” as compiled by Industry Week magazine.
  • Sales were $1.89 billion

2004

  • Universal was named to Forbes magazine’s Platinum 400, an annual ranking of the 400 best- performing U.S. companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue.
  • CNN’s Money Gang show named Universal a “Stock Pick of the Day” in February.
  • Universal expanded the TechTrim™ line to include a reversible finish and a brick mould product.
  • Advancing its commitment to grow its framing business, Universal announced an investment in the largest framer of multi-family structures in the Massachusetts area, Shawnlee Construction, LLC. Based in Plainville, MA, Shawnlee had been in business for more than 30 years. Its annual labor sales for 2004 were projected at $20 million.
  • Universal purchased the assets of Midwest Building Systems, Inc. in Indianapolis, IN.

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2005

  • For the sixth time in seven years, Universal was named to Forbes magazine’s Platinum 400.
  • In June, Universal purchased the assets of Maine Ornamental Woodworkers, Inc., the leading manufacturer and distributor of decorative caps used on decking and fencing posts. The caps complement Universal's decking and fencing lines and add to the company's product mix.
  • Universal purchased an additional 25% interest in Shawnlee Construction, LLC and agreed to purchase the remaining 25% over the next five years. (The company already owns 50% of Shawnlee, which it purchased in 2004). In addition, Shawnlee Construction announced the purchase of assets and assumption of certain liabilities of Shepardville Construction, Inc. and AW Construction, LLC, which install interior products such as base boards, crown moldings, window sills and casing, doors, and cabinets for commercial and multi-family construction projects.
  • Universal celebrated 50 years as a company. As part of its celebrations, the company donated more than $200,000 in cash, material and time to Habitat for Humanity to each of Universal’s locations across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
  • Universal hosted 900 people at its 50th anniversary party held at its corporate offices on July 20, 2005.
  • In October, Universal launched Universal Consumer Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary intended to create new distribution networks for the company’s growing portfolio of consumer products.
  • Universal acquired the leading importer and marketer of decorative balusters, Deckorators™.

2006

  • For the seventh time in eight years, Universal was named to Forbes magazine’s Platinum 400.
  • Universal acquired certain assets of Classic Truss Company Inc., a truss manufacturer based in Ft. Pierce, FL in January.
  • Universal announced a leadership transition plan with the appointment of Mike Glenn to CEO effective July 1, 2006. Former CEO William G. Currie was appointed to the newly created position of Executive Chairman of the Board and former Chairman Peter F. Secchia became Chairman Emeritus and remained on the board as a director.
  • Universal acquired certain assets of Dura-Bilt Mfg. Co., a roof and floor truss manufacturer based in Riverbank, California. The name was changed to DuraBilt Truss.
  • Universal announced that a wholly-owned subsidiary had acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of GeoMatrix, Inc., a leading developer and supplier of plastic lattice and other proprietary plastic products.
  • Universal signed a letter of intent to acquire all of the shares of Aljoma Lumber, Inc. providing UFP significant presence in Southern Florida and the Caribbean. Aljoma is a leading manufacturer of pressure-treated wood and industrial products that serves Southern Florida and the Caribbean islands. 
  • In November Universal announced that wholly owned subsidiaries of the company agreed to acquire assets of the Banks Lumber division of Banks Corporation.
  • Universal gives exclusive distribution of its Latitudes® brand decking and railing in the New England Market to Holbrook, MA-based Boston Cedar and Millwork. Founded in 1985, Boston Cedar is a premier distributor of quality lumber products to a large base of retail lumber dealers throughout the Northeastern United States.
  • Universal announces GO 2010, its long-range growth plan that included goals of improving productivity by 10%, improving inventory turnover by 10%, achieving 100% customer satisfaction, and increasing opportunities for all employees.

2007

  • JF Granger was named Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing
  • Universal completed the purchase of Aljoma Lumber Inc.
  • Universal announced the implementation of succession plans for two long-time officers of the company: Bobby Hill, president of Universal Western Division, and Dick Frazier, vice president of the Southwest Region. Their successors also are two Universal veterans: Pat Webster, vice president of the Far West Region, would replace Hill, and Michael Dube, vice president of operations for the Southwest Region, replaced Frazier.
  • Universal won the coveted “2006 Editors Choices Award” from ProSales, the industry’s leading trade publication, for its ProWood® micro-treated lumber.
  • Universal Consumer Products acquired the assets of Hastings, MN-based StylePoint, LLC, the manufacturer and distributor of Deck Images® aluminum railing systems.
  • Osmose’s MicroPro™ was named the first and only wood preservative technology in the world to earn the esteemed Green Cross recognition, which marks it as an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP). Universal’s ProWood® is treated with MicroPro™.
  • Company adds concrete forming products to its growing portfolio.

2008

  • Acquired International Wood Industries, Inc., Turlock, CA.
  • UFP named one of Fortune Magazine’s Most Admired Companies.
  • Acquired D Stake Mill, Inc., McMinnville OR and Manufacturing Country, Independence, OR.
  • Bill Payne, Chief of Staff for Alticor, named to Board of Directors.
  • UFP Plants in Ranson, WV; Windsor, CO; Chandler, AZ; San Antonio, TX; New Waverly, TX; Woodburn, OR; Thornton, CA and Riverside, CA earn Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody certification.
  • Pat Webster is appointed President and COO of Universal Forest Products, effective January 2009. Dick Frazer succeeds Pat Webster as President of Western Division.

2009

  • Formed PACS unit – Packaging and Container Solutions providing package solutions to OEMs and other industrial customers.
  • Launched the "Outdoor Essentials" decorative lawn and garden products brand.

2010

  • Site-built business consolidated under one management team to create efficiencies/opportunities, led by Divisional President Robert Lees.
  • Our unique, innovative "PicketLock" vinyl fencing system was introduced to DIY retail.

2011

  • Allen Peters becomes president of the Western Division.
  • Universal opens new industrial facility in Salisbury, NC.
  • JF Granger named executive vice president of Universal Consumer Products.
  • Don James named Vice President of National Sales.
  • Matthew J. Missad named 5th CEO in company’s history.

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