Universal Forest Products Inc. is closing a half-dozen plants in the United States and Canada to deal with the weak U.S. housing market, but no job losses are expected in the company's Canadian operations. Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Universal Forest said part of its operation in Thorndale, Ont., just outside London, and mills in Sanford and Stanfield, N.C.; Elkhart and Westville, Ind.; and Gulfport, Miss., will not be needed when the housing market recovers and they are expected to be sold. The company didn't indicate how many U.S. jobs would be affected. But in Thorndale, Mike Salo, sales manager, said there would be no job losses due to a recent expansion of the Ontario operation. UFPI (Nasdaq) closed Friday at $28.25 (U.S.).