To expand the company’s business in east Texas and Louisiana, Universal Forest Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:UFPI) has acquired a 50 percent stake in Upshur Forest Products, LLC, which has sawmill facilities in Gilmer, Texas. “Among our strategic goals is to grow our industrial business, and we’re doing that in a steady manner by adding to existing industrial operations and growing our presence in areas we haven’t been able to serve economically,” said Universal CEO Matthew J. Missad. “In addition, we will lock in our supply of specialty mill items and certain hard-to-find dimensions and grades.” While the stake purchased through a subsidiary of UFPI does not reveal a dollar amount, according to twst.com, Upshur’s sales for the year are estimated at $10 million. MHProNews.com knows Universal supplies the manufactured housing industry with roof trusses and other wood items. ##
