Universal announces organizational changes

Universal Forest Products Inc. today announced changes to its structure intended to enhance the company’s growth and profitability.

According to a news release, beginning Jan. 1, Universal Forest Products Eastern Division Inc. will be divided into two entities: a Northern Division and a Southern Division. Scott Greene, currently president of the Eastern Division, will become president of the Southern Division. Robert Lees, a 32-year Universal veteran and regional vice president of the company’s Northeast Region, is being promoted to president of the Northern Division.

“This puts field leadership in a stronger position to help our operations drive profitability, to spend more time assisting the company with strategic growth initiatives, and it allows us to respond more quickly to the many growth opportunities we see in the field every day,” said president and COO Pat Webster.

“We are making these changes to drive faster growth,” Greene said. “By concentrating on a smaller entity, I’ll be able to have a bigger impact on our facilities’ success. I’ll also have more time to spend with customers and on potential acquisitions, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities these changes present.”

The company also announced the appointment of Michael Mordell to executive vice president of purchasing. Mordell, an industry veteran and 16-year Universal manager and leader, will oversee the newly integrated purchasing company, and replaces David Phelps, who is retiring. Additionally, the company’s legal entity structure is being modified to more closely reflect its management structure.

“We are well positioned for 2010 and beyond,” CEO Michael B. Glenn said. “We’re structured for growth, we have the right leaders in the right positions, we have opportunity at our doorstep, and we have hard-working, dedicated employees ready for a new path of growth. These are exciting times for Universal Forest Products.”

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 the site-built construction market, and specialty wood packaging and components for various industries.