EXHIBIT 99(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):

         I, Michael R. Cole, Chief Financial Officer of Universal Forest
Products, Inc., certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350) that:

         (1) The report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 28, 2002,
which this statement accompanies, fully complies with requirements of Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2) The information contained in this report on Form 10-Q for the
period ended December 28, 2002 fairly presents, in all material respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of Universal Forest Products, Inc.




                                             UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.


Date:  March 14, 2003                        By: /s/ Michael R. Cole
       -------------------------                 -------------------------------
                                                     Michael R. Cole
                                             Its:    Chief Financial Officer