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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.  For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014.

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.  For the transition period of ____ to _____.

Commission File No.:  0-22684

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Michigan
 
38-1465835
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2801 East Beltline, N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan
 
49525
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (616) 364-6161

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title Of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, no par value
The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes             No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes             No

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements in the past 90 days.
Yes             No

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes             No

Indicate by checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Items 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,  a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller Reporting Company ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12-2 of the Act.)
Yes             No

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (i.e. excluding shares held by executive officers, directors, and control persons as defined in Rule 405, 17 CFR 230.405) on June 27, 2014 was $906,673,785 computed at the closing price of $47.89 on that date.

As of January 26, 2015, 19,984,465 shares of the registrant's common stock, no par value, were outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference:

(1) Certain portions of the registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014 are incorporated by reference into Part I and II of this Report.

(2) Certain portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for its 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

Exhibit Index located on page E-1.
 


ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
DECEMBER 27, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item 1.
3
Item 1A.
7
Item 1B.
10
Item 2.
10
Item 3.
10
Item 4.
10
     
11
     
PART II
     
Item 5.
12
Item 6.
13
Item 7.
13
Item 7A.
13
Item 8.
14
Item 9.
14
Item 9A.
14
Item 9B.
15
     
PART III
     
Item 10.
15
Item 11.
15
Item 12.
15
Item 13.
16
Item 14.
16
     
PART IV
   
     
Item 15.
16

PART I

Item 1.  Business.

General Development of the Business.

Universal Forest Products, Inc. (“the Company”) is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that supply wood, wood composite and other products to three primary markets: retail, housing and construction, and industrial.  Our retail market is comprised of building materials sold primarily to national home center retailers, retail-oriented regional lumber yards and contractor-oriented lumber yards.  Our housing and construction market is comprised of three submarkets, manufactured housing customers, residential construction customers and commercial construction customers.  Our industrial market is generally defined as industrial manufacturers and other customers for packaging, material handling and other applications.  Founded in 1955, the Company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with affiliates throughout North America.  For more about Universal Forest Products, go to www.ufpi.com.

Information relating to current developments in our business is incorporated by reference from our Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014 ("2014 Annual Report") under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."  Selected portions of the 2014 Annual Report are filed as Exhibit 13 with this Form 10-K Report.

Financial Information About Segments.

ASC 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”) defines operating segments as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

Our operating segments consist of Eastern, Western, Site-Built, Consumer Products, Distribution and Pinelli Universal.  Our other divisions do not collectively form a reportable segment because their respective operations are dissimilar and they do not meet the applicable quantitative requirements.  These operations have been included in “All Other”.  The Corporate column includes unallocated administrative costs and sales by our Purchasing division. Separate financial information about industry segments is incorporated by reference from Note N of the Consolidated Financial Statements presented under Item 8 herein.

Narrative Description of Business.

We design, manufacture and market wood and wood-alternative products for national home centers and other retailers, structural lumber and other products for the manufactured housing industry, engineered wood components for residential and commercial construction, and specialty wood packaging, components and packing materials for various industries.  Each of our markets is discussed in the paragraphs which follow.  Our locations generally serve customers representing multiple markets.
 
Retail Building Materials Market.  The customers comprising this market are primarily national home center retailers, retail-oriented regional lumberyards and contractor-oriented lumberyards.  Generally, terms of sale are established for annual periods, and orders are placed with our regional facilities in accordance with established terms. One customer, The Home Depot, accounted for approximately 17% of our total sales in fiscal 2014, 17% in 2013, and 18% in 2012.

From time to time we enter into certain sales contracts with The Home Depot.  The contracts are limited to the establishment of general sales terms and conditions, such as delivery, invoicing, warranties and other standard, commercial matters.  Sales are made by the release of purchase orders to us for particular quantities of certain products.  We also enter into marketing agreements and rebate agreements with The Home Depot.  The marketing agreements provide a certain percentage of our sales revenue or a minimum dollar amount will be committed to generate sales for us and The Home Depot.

We currently supply customers in this market from many of our locations.  These regional facilities are able to supply mixed truckloads of products which can be delivered to customers with rapid turnaround from receipt of an order.  Freight costs are a factor in the ability to competitively service this market, especially with treated wood products because of their heavier weight.  The close proximity of our regional facilities to the various outlets of these customers is a factor when negotiating annual sales programs.

The products offered to customers in this market include dimensional lumber (both preserved and unpreserved) and various "value-added products," some of which are sold under our trademarks.  In addition to our conventional lumber products, we offer a large portfolio of outdoor living products, including wood composite decking and decorative lawn and garden products.  We also sell engineered wood products to this market, which include roof trusses, wall panels and engineered floor systems (see "Residential & Commercial Construction Markets" below).

We are not aware of any competitor that currently manufactures, treats and distributes a full line of both value-added and commodity products on a national basis.  We face competition on individual products from several different producers, but the majority of these competitors tend to be regional in their efforts and/or do not offer a full line of outdoor lumber products.  We believe the breadth of our product offering, geographic dispersion, customer relationships, close proximity of our plants to core customers, purchasing and manufacturing expertise, and service capabilities provide competitive advantages in this market.
 
Residential & Commercial Construction Markets.  We entered these markets through strategic business acquisitions.  The customers comprising the residential construction market are primarily large-volume, multi-tract builders and smaller volume custom builders.  We also supply builders engaged in multi-family and commercial construction.  Generally, terms of sale and pricing are determined based on quotes for each order.  In addition, we supply wood forms and related products to set or form concrete for various structures including large parking garages, stadiums and bridges.

We currently supply customers in these markets from manufacturing facilities located in many different states.  These facilities manufacture various engineered wood components used to frame residential or light commercial projects, including roof and floor trusses, wall panels, I-joists and lumber packages.  Freight costs are a factor in the ability to competitively service this market due to the space requirements of these products on each truckload.

We also provide framing services for customers in certain regional markets, in which we erect the wood structure.  We believe that providing a comprehensive framing package, including installation, provides a competitive advantage.  Terms of sale are based on a construction contract.

Competition in this market is primarily fragmented, but we do compete with a small number of national and regional retail contractor yards who also manufacture components and provide framing services, as well as regional manufacturers of components.  We believe our primary competitive advantages relate to the engineering and design capabilities of our regional staff, customer relationships, purchasing and manufacturing expertise, product quality, timeliness of delivery, and financial strength.

Manufactured Housing Market.  The customers comprising the manufactured housing market are producers of mobile, modular and prefabricated homes and recreational vehicles (RV).  Products sold to customers in this market consist primarily of roof trusses, lumber cut and shaped to the customer's specification, plywood, particle board and dimensional lumber, all intended for use in the construction of manufactured housing.  Sales are made by personnel located at each regional facility based on customer orders.  We also distribute products such as siding, electrical and plumbing to manufactured housing and RV customers. We entered the distribution business through strategic business acquisitions.

Our principal competitive advantages include our customer relationships, product knowledge, the strength of our engineering support services, the close proximity of our regional facilities to our customers, our purchasing and manufacturing expertise and our ability to provide national sales programs to certain customers.  These factors have enabled us to accumulate significant market share in the products we supply.
 
Industrial Market.  We define our industrial market as manufacturers and agricultural customers who use pallets, specialty crates and wooden boxes for packaging, shipping and material handling purposes, as well as other lumber products used in a variety of different applications.  Many of the products sold to this market may be produced from the by-product of other manufactured products, thereby allowing us to increase our raw material yields while expanding our business.  Competition is fragmented and includes virtually every supplier of lumber convenient to the customer.  We service this market with our dedicated local sales teams and through national sales support efforts.

Suppliers.  We are one of the largest domestic buyers of solid sawn softwood lumber from primary producers (lumber mills).  We use primarily southern yellow pine in our pressure-treating operations and site-built component plants in the Southeastern United States, which we obtain from mills located throughout the states comprising the Sunbelt.  Other species we use include "spruce-pine-fir" from various provinces in Canada; hemlock, douglas fir and cedar from the Pacific Northwest; inland species of pine, plantation grown radiata and southern yellow pines from South America; and European spruce.  There are numerous primary producers for all varieties we use, and we are not dependent on any particular source of supply.  Our financial resources and size, in combination with our strong sales network and ability to remanufacture lumber, enable us to purchase a large percentage of a primary producer's output (as opposed to only those dimensions or grades in immediate need), thereby lowering our average cost of raw materials and allowing us to obtain programs such as consigned inventory.  We believe this represents a competitive advantage.

Intellectual Property.  We own several patents and have several patents pending on technologies related to our business.  In addition, we own numerous registered trademarks and claim common law trademark rights to several others.  As we develop proprietary brands, we may pursue registration or other formal protection.  While we believe our patent and trademark rights are valuable, the loss of a patent or any trademark would not be likely to have a material adverse impact on our competitive position.

Backlog.  Due to the nature of our retail, manufactured housing and industrial businesses, backlog information is not meaningful.  The maximum time between receipt of a firm order and shipment does not usually exceed a few days.  Therefore, we would not normally have a backlog of unfilled orders in a material amount.  The relationships with our major customers are such that we are either the exclusive supplier of certain products and/or certain geographic areas, or the designated source for a specified portion of the customer's requirements.  In such cases, either we are able to forecast the customer's requirements or the customer may provide an estimate of its future needs.  In neither case, however, will we receive firm orders until just prior to the anticipated delivery dates for the products in question.

On December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, we estimate that backlog orders associated with the site-built construction business approximated $60.6 million and $54.7 million, respectively.  With respect to the former, we expect that these orders will be primarily filled within the next fiscal year; however, it is possible that some orders could be canceled.
 
Environmental.  Information required for environmental disclosures is incorporated by reference from Note M of the Consolidated Financial Statements presented under Item 8 herein.

Seasonality.  Information required for seasonality disclosures is incorporated by reference from Item 1A. Risk Factors under the caption “Seasonality and weather conditions could adversely affect us.”

Employees.  On December 27, 2014, we had approximately 6,000 employees.

Financial Information About Geographic Areas.

The dominant portion of our operations and sales occur in the United States.  Separate financial information about foreign and domestic operations and export sales is incorporated by reference from Note O of the Consolidated Financial Statements presented under Item 8 herein.

Available Information.

Our Internet address is www.ufpi.com.  Through our Internet website under "Financial Information" in the Investor Relations section, we make available free of charge, as soon as reasonably practical after such information has been filed with the SEC, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act.  Also available through our Internet website under "Corporate Governance" in the Investor Relations section is our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers.

Reports to Security Holders.

Not applicable.

Enforceability of Civil Liabilities Against Foreign Persons.

Not applicable.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

We are subject to regional, national and global economic conditions.  A decline in economic conditions throughout the United States could reduce demand for our products.

We may be impacted by a decline in the value of the U.S. dollar.  We purchase a variety of raw materials and finished goods from sources around the world.  Our purchase prices could increase if the U.S. dollar declines in value.  The impact of a declining U.S. dollar would only impact our import purchases, which totaled $88.3 million in 2014.
 
We are subject to fluctuations in the price of lumber.  We experience significant fluctuations in the cost of commodity lumber products from primary producers (the "Lumber Market").  A variety of factors over which we have no control, including government regulations, environmental regulations, weather conditions, economic conditions, and natural disasters, impact the cost of lumber products and our selling prices.  While we attempt to minimize our risk from severe price fluctuations, substantial, prolonged trends in lumber prices can negatively affect our sales volume, our gross margins, and our profitability.  Treated lumber sales are generally at their highest levels between April and August.  This sales peak, combined with capacity constraints in the wood treatment process, requires us to build our inventory of treated lumber throughout the winter and spring.  (This also has an impact on our receivables balances, which tend to be significantly higher at the end of the second and third quarters.)  Because sales prices of treated lumber products may be indexed to the Lumber Market at the time they are shipped, our profits can be negatively affected by prolonged declines in the Lumber Market during our primary selling season.  To mitigate this risk, consignment inventory programs may be negotiated with certain vendors that are intended to decrease our exposure to the Lumber Market by correlating the purchase price of the material with the related sales price to the customer.  These programs include those materials which are most susceptible to adverse changes in the Lumber Market.  Material costs as a percentage of sales were 71.3%, 73.2%, and 69.7% in 2014, 2013, 2012, respectively, and lumber comprises approximately 60% of material costs.  Also, refer to the “Historical Lumber Prices” and “Impact of the Lumber Market on Our Operating Results” sections of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Our growth may be limited by the markets we serve.  Our sales growth is dependent, in part, upon the growth of the markets we serve.  If our markets do not achieve anticipated growth, or if we fail to maintain our market share, financial results could be impaired.

Our ability to achieve sales and margin goals, particularly on sales to the residential and commercial construction and manufactured housing markets, is impacted by housing starts and industry production of manufactured homes.  If housing starts and manufactured housing production declines significantly, our financial results could be negatively impacted.

A significant portion of our sales are concentrated with one customer.  Our sales to The Home Depot comprised 17% of our total sales in 2014, 17% in 2013, and 18% in 2012.

Economic and credit market conditions impact our ability to collect a greater percentage of our receivables. Economic and credit conditions may impact our bad debt expense.  We continue to monitor our customers’ credit profiles carefully and make changes in our terms when necessary in response to this risk.  Bad debt expense as a percentage of sales was 0.06%, 0.04%, and 0.12% in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

We may be impacted by vertical integration strategies. In certain markets and product lines, our customers or vendors could pursue vertical integration strategies that could have an adverse effect on our sales.  We strive to add value and be a low-cost producer while maintaining competitive pricing in each of our markets to mitigate this risk.
 
We may be impacted by excess capacity among suppliers.  There is excess capacity among suppliers of certain products in each of the markets we serve.  Our selling prices and gross margins have been and are likely to continue to be impacted by this excess capacity.

Our growth may be limited by our ability to make successful acquisitions.  A key component of our growth strategy is to complete business combinations.  Business combinations involve inherent risks, including assimilation and successfully managing growth.  While we conduct extensive due diligence and have taken steps to ensure successful assimilation, factors beyond our control could influence the results of these acquisitions.

We may be adversely affected by the impact of environmental and safety regulations.  We are subject to the requirements of federal, state, and local environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations.  There can be no assurance that we are at all times in complete compliance with all of these requirements.  We have made and will continue to make capital and other expenditures to comply with environmental regulations.  If additional laws and regulations are enacted, which restrict our ability to manufacture and market our products, including our treated lumber products, it could adversely affect our sales and profits.  If existing laws are interpreted differently, it could also increase our financial costs.

The current version of federal health care legislation may significantly increase our costs.  The federal health care legislation enacted in 2010 and future regulations called for under the legislation may have a significant cost implication for our company.  Our health care costs totaled $12.2 million, $10.9 million, and $9.5 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Seasonality and weather conditions could adversely affect us.  Some aspects of our business are seasonal in nature and results of operations vary from quarter to quarter.  Our treated lumber and outdoor specialty products, such as fencing, decking, and lattice, experience the greatest seasonal effects.  Sales of treated lumber, primarily consisting of southern yellow pine, also experience the greatest Lumber Market risk (see "Historical Lumber Prices" in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations which is presented under Item 7 of this Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference).

The majority of our products are used or installed in outdoor construction activities; therefore, short-term sales volume, our gross margins, and our profits can be negatively affected by adverse weather conditions, particularly in our first and fourth quarters.  In addition, adverse weather conditions can negatively impact our productivity and costs per unit.

Inbound and outbound transportation costs represent a significant part of our cost structure.  A rapid and prolonged increase in fuel prices will significantly increase our costs.  While we attempt to pass these costs along to our customers, there can be no assurance that they would agree to these price increases.  We currently purchase approximately 2.2 million gallons of gasoline each year for inbound and outbound transportation.  Our purchases totaled $12.0 million, $11.6 million, and $11.1 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
 
New alternatives may be developed to replace traditional treated wood products.  The manufacturers of wood preservatives continue to develop new preservatives. While we believe treated products are reasonably priced relative to alternative products such as composites or vinyl, new alternatives may impact the sales of treated wood products.  In addition, new preservatives could increase our cost of treating products in the future.  See Footnote N “Segment Reporting” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial statements for our sales by product category.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.

Item 2.  Properties.

Our corporate headquarters building is located in suburban Grand Rapids, Michigan.  We currently have approximately 87 facilities located throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.  Depending upon function and location, these facilities typically utilize office space, manufacturing space, treating space and covered storage.  Of these facilities, approximately 11 facilities remain closed to align manufacturing capacity with the current business environment and are currently listed for sale or are being leased.

We own all of our properties, free from any significant mortgage or other encumbrance, except for approximately 19 facilities which are leased.  We believe all of these operating facilities are adequate in capacity and condition to service our existing markets.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.

Information regarding our legal proceedings is set forth in Note M of our Consolidated Financial Statements which are presented under Item 8 of this Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.
 
Additional Item:  Executive Officers of the Registrant.
The following table lists the names, ages, and positions of our executive officers as of February 2, 2015.  Executive officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board following the annual meeting of shareholders.

Name
Age
Position
Matthew J. Missad
54
Chief Executive Officer, Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Patrick M. Webster
55
President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Michael R. Cole
48
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Allen T. Peters
47
President, UFP Western Division, Inc.
Robert D. Coleman
60
Executive Vice President of Manufacturing, Universal Forest Products, Inc.
C. Scott Greene
58
Executive Vice President of Marketing
Donald L. James
55
Executive Vice President of National Sales
Michael F. Mordell
57
Executive Vice President of UFP Purchasing, Inc.
Patrick Benton
45
Executive Vice President, UFP Eastern Division – North
Jonathan West
44
Executive Vice President, UFP Eastern Division - South

Matthew J. Missad joined us in 1985.  In February 1996, Mr. Missad was promoted to Executive Vice President of the Company.  On July 1, 2011, Mr. Missad became Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Patrick M. Webster joined us in 1985.  Mr. Webster became Vice President of the Far West Region in 1999, on July 1, 2007, became President of UFP Western Division, Inc., and on January 1, 2009 became President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

Michael R. Cole, CPA, CMA, joined us in 1993.  In December 1999, he was promoted to Vice President of Finance.  On July 19, 2000, Mr. Cole became Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

Allen T. Peters joined us in 1997.   In 2004 he became the General Manager of Operations of our plant in Harrisonville, MO and in 2007 became Regional Vice President of our Gulf Region.  On January 1, 2011, Mr. Peters became President of UFP Western Division, Inc.

Robert D. Coleman, joined us in 1979.  On January 1, 1999, Mr. Coleman was named the Executive Vice President of Manufacturing of the Company.

C. Scott Greene joined us in 1991.  In 2000, Mr. Greene became President of UFP Eastern Division, Inc.  On October 1, 2011, Mr. Greene became Executive Vice President of New Business Development and on October 14, 2013, he became Executive Vice President of Marketing.

Donald L. James joined us in 1998. On October 1, 2011, Mr. James became Executive Vice President of National Sales. Before this, he was Regional Vice President of operations in UFP Eastern Division, Inc.

Michael F. Mordell joined us in 1993.  In 1999 he became Executive Vice President of Purchasing of Universal Forest Products Western Division, Inc.  In November 2007, he became General Manager of Operations for our facility in Lafayette, CO, and on January 1, 2010, Mr. Mordell became Executive Vice President of UFP Purchasing, Inc.
 
Patrick M. Benton joined us in 1993.  In 2008 he became Operations Vice President of the South Texas Region, and on July 1, 2014, he became Executive Vice President of UFP Eastern Division – North.

Jonathan E. West joined us in 1994.  In 2007 he became Regional Vice President of the Southeast Region, and on July 1, 2014, he became Executive Vice President of UFP Eastern Division – South.

PART II

The following information items in this Part II, which are contained in the 2014 Annual Report, are specifically incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K Report.  These portions of the 2014 Annual Report that are specifically incorporated by reference are filed as Exhibit 13 with this Form 10-K Report.

Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

(a) The information relating to market, holders and dividends is incorporated by reference from the 2014 Annual Report under the captions “Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends” and “Stock Performance Graph.”

There were no sales of unregistered securities during the last three years.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Issuer purchases of equity securities during the fourth quarter.

Fiscal Month
 
(a)
   
(b)
   
(c)
   
(d)
 
                 
September 28 – November 1, 2014(1)
   
2,001
   
$
46.96
     
2,001
     
2,883,216
 
November 2 – November 29, 2014
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,883,216
 
November 30 – December 27, 2014
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,883,216
 

(a) Total number of shares purchased.
(b) Average price paid per share.
(c) Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs.
(d) Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs.

  (1) On November 14, 2001 the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program (which succeeded a previous program) allowing us to repurchase up to 2.5 million shares of our common stock.  On October 14, 2010, our Board authorized an additional 2 million shares to be repurchased under our share repurchase program.  The total number of shares that may be repurchased under the program is approximately 2.9 million shares.
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the 2014 Annual Report under the caption "Selected Financial Data."

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the 2014 Annual Report under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on our variable rate debt, which consists of a revolving credit facility and industrial development revenue bonds.  We do not currently use interest rate swaps, futures contracts or options on futures, or other types of derivative financial instruments to mitigate this risk.

For fixed rate debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the fair market value, but not earnings or cash flows.  Conversely, for variable rate debt, changes in interest rates generally do not influence fair market value, but do affect future earnings and cash flows.  We do not have an obligation to prepay fixed rate debt prior to maturity, and as a result, interest rate risk and changes in fair market value should not have a significant impact on such debt until we would be required to refinance it.

On December 27, 2014, the estimated fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, was $99.7 million.  The estimated fair value is based on rates anticipated to be available to us for debt with similar terms and maturities.  The estimated fair value of notes payable included in current liabilities and the revolving credit facility approximated the carrying values as these debt instruments have interest rates that fluctuate with current market conditions.
 
Expected cash flows over the next five years related to debt instruments are as follows:

   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
($US equivalents, in thousands)
 
Long-term Debt:
                           
Fixed Rate ($US)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
   
$
75,000
   
$
75,000
 
Average interest rate
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
3.94
%
       
Variable Rate ($US)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
   
$
13,945
   
$
9,700
   
$
23,645
 
Average interest rate(1)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1.11
%
   
0.26
%
       

(1)
Average of rates at December 27, 2014.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the 2014 Annual Report under the following captions:

"Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting"
"Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm"
"Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm"
"Consolidated Balance Sheets"
"Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income"
"Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity"
"Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows"
"Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements"

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures.

(1) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  With the participation of management, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15e and 15d - 15e) as of the year ended December 27, 2014 (the "Evaluation Date"), have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

(2) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.   Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is included in the 2014 Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and is incorporated herein by reference.  Our independent registered public accounting firm’s attestation Report on our internal control over financial reporting is also included in the 2014 Annual Report in the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm On Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(3) Changes in Internal Controls.  During the fourth quarter ended December 27, 2014, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.  Other Information.

Not applicable.

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

Information relating to our directors, compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and various corporate governance matters is incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement for the year ended December 27, 2014 for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the Commission ("2015 Proxy Statement"), under the captions "Election of Directors," "Corporate Governance and Board Matters," and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."  Information relating to executive officers is included in this report in the last Section of Part I under the caption "Additional Item: Executive Officers of the Registrant."  Information relating to our code of ethics is included in this report in Part I, Item 1 under the caption “Available Information”.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

Information relating to director and executive compensation is incorporated by reference from the 2015 Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation."  The "Personnel and Compensation Committee Report" included in the 2014 Proxy Statement is incorporated hereby by reference for the purpose of being furnished herein and is not and shall not be deemed to be filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters.

Information relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference from our 2015 Proxy Statement under the captions "Ownership of Common Stock" and "Securities Ownership of Management."
 

Information relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of December 27, 2014, is as follows:

   
Number of
shares to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options
   
Weighted
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options
   
Number of shares
remaining
available for future
issuance under
equity
compensation
plans [excluding
shares reflected in
column (a)] (1)
 
   
(a)
   
(b)
   
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
   
23,737
   
$
32.03
     
2,268,278
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 
none
                 

(1) The number of shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans, excluding outstanding options, warrants, or similar rights, as of December 27, 2014, is as follows: 121,276 shares for our 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 10,387 shares for our Directors' Retainer Stock Plan, and 6,758 shares for our Employee Stock Gift Program.  In addition, of the remaining 2,129,857 shares available for future issuance under our Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, those awards may be made in the form of options as well as stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares, or other stock-based awards.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Information relating to certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence is incorporated by reference from the 2014 Proxy Statement under the captions "Election of Directors", “Affirmative Determination Regarding Director Independence and Other Matters” and "Related Party Transactions."

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Information relating to the types of services rendered by our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and the fees paid for these services is incorporated by reference from our 2014 Proxy Statement under the caption "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Disclosure of Fees.”

PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
 
(a) 1.      Financial Statements.  The following are incorporated by reference, under Item 8 of this report, from the 2014 Annual Report:

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.        Financial Statement Schedules.  All schedules required by this Form 10-K Report have been omitted because they were inapplicable, included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, or otherwise not required under instructions contained in Regulation S-X.

3.        Exhibits.  Reference is made to the Exhibit Index which is included in this Form 10-K Report.

(b) Reference is made to the Exhibit Index which is included in this Form 10-K Report.

(c) Not applicable.
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  February 25, 2015
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
     
 
By:
/s/ Matthew J. Missad
   
Matthew J. Missad,
   
Chief Executive Officer and
   
Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on this 25th day of February, 2015, by the following persons on behalf of us and in the capacities indicated.

 
By:
/s/ Matthew J. Missad
   
Matthew J. Missad,
   
Chief Executive Officer and
   
Principal Executive Officer
 
    /s/ Michael R. Cole
   
Michael R. Cole,
   
Chief Financial Officer,
   
Principal Financial Officer and
   
Principal Accounting Officer

Each Director whose signature appears below hereby appoints Matthew J. Missad and Michael R. Cole, and each of them individually, as his attorney-in-fact to sign in his name and on his behalf as a Director, and to file with the Commission any and all amendments to this report on Form 10-K to the same extent and with the same effect as if done personally.

/s/ William G. Currie
 
s/ John M. Engler
William G. Currie, Director
 
John M. Engler, Director
     
/s/ Bruce A. Merino
 
/s/ Gary F. Goode
Bruce A. Merino, Director
 
Gary F. Goode, Director
     
/s/ Mark A. Murray
 
/s/ Matthew J. Missad
Mark A. Murray, Director
 
Matthew J. Missad, Director
     
/s/ Louis A. Smith
 
/s/ Thomas W. Rhodes
Louis A. Smith, Director
 
Thomas W. Rhodes, Director
     
/s/ Brian C. Walker
 
/s/ Mary E. Tuuk
Brian C. Walker, Director
 
Mary E. Tuuk, Director

 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit # Description

3 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

(a) Registrant's Articles of Incorporation were filed as Exhibit 3(a) to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-69474) and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Registrant's Amended Bylaws were filed as Exhibit 3(b) to a form 8-K Current Report dated January 18, 2013 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

4 Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders.

(a) Specimen form of Stock Certificate for Common Stock was filed as Exhibit 4(a) to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-69474) and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

10 Material Contracts.

*(a)(6) Form of Conditional Share Grant Agreement utilized under the Company’s Long Term Stock Incentive Plan was filed as Exhibit 10(a)(6) to a Form 10-K, Annual Report for the year ended December 25, 2010 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

*(a)(9) Consulting and Non-Compete Agreement with Michael B. Glenn, dated June 20, 2011 was filed as Exhibit 10(a)(9) to a Form 10-K, Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into between the Registrant and each of its directors was filed as Exhibit 10(b) to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-69474) and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

*(e)(1) Form of Executive Stock Option Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10(e)(1) to a  Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-69474) and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

*(e)(2) Form of Officers' Stock Option Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10(e)(2) to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-69474) and the same is incorporated herein by reference.
 
*(f) Performance Bonus Plan Summary Plan Description was filed as Exhibit 10(f) to a Form 10-K, Annual Report for the year ended December 25, 2010 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

*(g) Universal Forest Products, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan as amended and restated effective June 1, 2011 was filed as Exhibit 10(g) to a Form 10-K, Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

*(h) Executive Stock Grant Program was filed as Exhibit 10(h) to a Form 10-K, Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

(i)(6) Credit Agreement dated November 14, 2011 was filed as Exhibit 10(i) to a Form 8-K Current Report dated November 16, 2011 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

(k) Note Purchase Agreement dated December 17, 2012 was filed as Exhibit 10(k) to a Form 8-K Current Report dated December 17, 2012 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

(l) Universal Forest Products, Inc. 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

(m) Universal Forest Products, Inc. Director Retainer Stock Plan is incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s proxy statement dated and filed with the Commission on March 6, 2012.

(n) Universal Forest Products, Inc. Amended and Restricted Long Term Stock Incentive Plan in incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s proxy statement dated and filed with the Commission on March 6, 2012.
 
13 Selected portions of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014.

14 Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers

(a) Code of Ethics for Chief Financial Officer was filed as Exhibit 14(a) to a Form 10-K, Annual Report for the year ended December 25, 2010 and the same is incorporated herein by reference.

21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23(a) Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
23(b) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 
31 Certifications.

(a) Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).

(b) Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).

32 Certifications.

(a) Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).

(b) Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).

101 Interactive Data File.

(INS) XBRL Instance Document.

(SCH) XBRL Schema Document.

(CAL) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

(LAB) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

(PRE) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

(DEF) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 

* Indicates a compensatory arrangement.
 
 
E-3