EXHIBIT 32(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):

         I, William G. Currie, Chief Executive 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September 27, 2003, 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended September 27, 2003 fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Universal Forest
Products, Inc.


                                          UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.


Date:     October 27, 2003                By:  /s/ William G. Currie
      --------------------------               --------------------------------
                                               William G. Currie
                                          Its: Chief Executive Officer