UCS Forest Group
UCS Forest Group Approaches 25 Successful Years In Industry Toronto, Ont.– While the forest products industry as a whole is dealing with the effects of a protracted economic downturn, the UCS Forest Group of Companies is dealing with it in another manner – growth, and a milestone 25th Anniversary. The UCS Forest Group is a North American based distributor, importer and exporter of lumber and panel products, doing business in the U.S. as Sierra Forest Products; in Canada as Upper Canada Forest Products; and Internationally as A & M Wood Specialty and UCS Global. This Toronto-based organization is one of the largest buyers of Hardwood lumber in North America, and purchases over 120 species of Hardwood and specialty softwood lumber from around the world. The group also supplies Hardwood veneers and composite panel products, including Hardwood plywood, medium density fiber board, melamine, particle board and synthetic panels. Their customer base consists of thousands of woodworking companies throughout North America and across the globe. In mid-2007, when it appeared that the economy was sailing along and a downturn in the economy was not a major concern, Warren Spitz, UCS President & CEO, called together the Group’s Board of Directors for a meeting to discuss the emerging signs of financial turmoil caused by sub-prime loans and adjusted rate mortgages. The UCS Board and Management Team decided in the next few weeks to prepare for what appeared to be a potentially serious downturn in the economy. Specifically, they wanted to be certain that should a downturn occur, they would be prepared for the resulting reduction in customer order volumes, shorter customer lead times, increased credit risk, and longer lead times from suppliers due to production cutbacks. All of this came to pass of course, and the company had by that point prepared its team throughout North America and overseas. As a result of this planning and preparation, the company has remained strong throughout the recession and has hired additional staff, both new trainees and industry veterans, in addition to adding new and exciting product lines. Their management team communicates at a high level and has a clear understanding of the metrics that drive the business. The company isn’t predicting a significant upturn in the market for the foreseeable future, and as such it is prepared for a continuance of current business levels, but is also ready for when the economy starts to grow strongly again. “Our Group is very clever at recognizing opportunities when markets are in turmoil,” says Mr. Spitz. “When we see an opportunity, we try to take advantage of it. We are constantly reviewing acquisitions and growth opportunities.” Indeed, the company has been active in the market in the last few years, opening a new division in Seattle in the spring of 2007, acquiring Cambium Forest Products in Calgary that summer, and merging it into its Calgary Division. This was followed a few months later by the purchase of A & M Wood Specialty located in Cambridge, just west of Toronto. In 2009, the company opened a new distribution center in Denver, and recently it announced a move to a new larger facility in Chicago in early 2011. UCS may be aggressive in its expansion strategies, but Gordon Clough, the Group’s Director of Marketing, explains the company’s culture is “people, first and foremost.” Employees at UCS are, “well trained, committed, trustworthy, professional and knowledgeable.” The group was founded on the concept that every individual should be able to achieve their goals and fulfill all of their career ambitions within the organization. They call themselves the “Green Nation” and it is very much a family atmosphere. This culture has been maintained even through these difficult last few years. In fact, it is hard to detect any downturn when calling or visiting a UCS Division. The team remains upbeat and energized at every turn. “For 25 years we have developed a business with a team of people that are the foundation of the company. We built an organization that values people first, is resolute in living its values, and committed to making a positive contribution to all stakeholders through its business achievements,” states Warren Spitz, President & CEO. Spitz started Upper Canada Forest Products in May of 1986 in Toronto, along with his wife Maureen, and Andrea Moore, who is still with the company today as Group Controller. Spitz had been in the industry for a few years at that point, and saw an opportunity to bring a higher level of professionalism and integrity to the Warren Spitz, President and CEO of UCS Forest Group, founded the company in 1986, which now distributes over 120 species of Hardwoods to thousands of woodworking companies in North America and around the globe. Please turn to page 40 26 Hardwoods...A Renewable Resource
2 1 4 3 6 5 1. From left to right: Mark Mah, VP of Upper Canada Forest Products; Trevor Chambers, Purchasing Manager, Upper Canada Ontario; and Mark Warne, Division Manager, Upper Canada Ontario. 2. Trucks deliver UCS Forest Group lumber to be built into homes for thousands in earthquake devastated Haiti. 3. The Sierra Forest Products grading line in Chicago, Ill. 4. The A&M Specialty Wood Division of UCS in Cambridge, Ont. 5. The Upper Canada Vancouver, British Columbia building. 6. Sierra Forest Products facilities, in Salt Lake City, Utah. 7. An Upper Canada truck delivering material on a wintery day. 7 JANUARY/2011 27
