Huttig Building Products to Expand into Long Island, New York

ST. LOUIS, May 02, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Huttig Building Products, Inc. (NYSE: HBP), one of the largest domestic distributors of millwork, building materials and wood products used principally in new residential construction and in home improvement, remodeling and repair work, announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a plan to expand into Long Island, New York. The new Huttig branch will be the Company's 46th in its growing network of two-step wholesale distribution centers.

Michael A. Lupo, President and CEO of Huttig, said that the Company will occupy a facility in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. "This move will provide several economic and strategic benefits," he said. "Long Island and New York City have approximately 27,000 housing starts per year, and there is a strong market for repair and remodeling. In addition to serving both Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, this branch will expand our presence in all five boroughs of New York City and the Tri-State area. It will also complement our Newington, Connecticut branch and our recently expanded branch in Albany, New York."

This decision is part of Huttig's plan to expand product offerings and geographically enter new markets. These two strategies, together with the balance of Huttig's plan, are designed to better serve building materials dealers, national buying groups, home centers and industrial users, including makers of manufactured homes.

Earlier this year, Huttig acquired millwork and building products distribution operations in the Dallas, Texas and Minneapolis, Minnesota markets. The Company's geographic reach now covers more than 85% of the country's housing starts.