Universal Forest Products (UFPI) acquires Fire Retardant Chemical Technologies



Universal Forest Products (UFPI) acquires Fire Retardant Chemical Technologies | Universal Forest Products, acquisition,

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (News release) -- UFP Industries announced that its UFP Retail Solutions business segment acquired the equity of Fire Retardant Chemical Technologies, LLC (FRCT). Founded in 2014 and based in Matthews, North Carolina, FRCT's business includes a research and development laboratory specializing in developing and testing a wide range of high-performance chemicals, including fire retardants and water repellants. The company had approximately $6.4 million in sales in 2019. Dr. Futong Cui, FRCT's founder, president and chief technology officer, will continue to lead the company.

"We have been very impressed by UFP Industries' commitment to innovating and harnessing technology to improve the quality and performance of their products," said Dr. Cui. "As part of UFP, FRCT will gain a better understanding of the needs of the market. We'll also have access to the resources we need to develop new technologies to meet those needs and bring them to market faster. With several new products in development and nearing launch, I am excited for FRCT and the opportunities we will create for our customers."

"Dr. Cui and his team have earned the respect of everyone in the wood products industry for the technologies they have developed," said Allen Peters, president of UFP Retail Solutions. "These technologies will join our growing portfolio of products and reinforce our commitment to innovation. We expect FRCT's fire-retardant products to be among the fastest growing in the wood preservation market, as they present a compelling value compared to other fire-resistant materials in the market."

"The addition of FRCT truly reflects the diverse nature of our business and the ever-increasing importance we place on technology to innovate and bring more value-added products to our customers," said UFP Industries CEO Matthew J. Missad. "Dr. Cui and his team of scientists have done an impressive job developing new, cost-effective technologies and growing their business over the past five years, and we welcome them to the growing UFP family."

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