Far West Fir Sales Merges With Michigan Lumber Company

Far West Fir Sales of Huntington Beach has merged with Universal Forest Products Inc. of Grand Rapids, Mich., in a deal expected to create one of the nation’s largest lumber wholesalers. Value and terms of the merger, completed Dec. 31, 1986, were not disclosed.

However, the companies said employees at Far West Fir’s plants in Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Modesto, Sunnymead and Chandler, Ariz., will not be affected.

Both Universal Forest Products and Far West Fir distribute lumber and pre-cut wood pieces. Universal also makes pressure-treated lumber, roof trusses and several wood products for the do-it-yourself market.

The deal calls for the merged company to be renamed Universal Far West within the next several months.

Universal is a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Companies Inc., which reported $213 million in sales in 1986, including $190 million from the forest products company. Far West Fir had 1986 sales of $120 million.