For half a century, LP has pioneered building solutions to meet the changing needs of builders, remodelers and homeowners across North and South America. Our innovations have both responded to and made history since our founding in 1972. By the time LP joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1973, the expansion of home construction had driven a heavy demand for building materials. LP responded to the industry’s needs with oriented strand board (OSB), which was a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to plywood. When we opened North America’s first OSB mill in 1979, our employees had to work around the clock to keep up with demand. As changing circumstances have continually influenced the way builders construct homes and structures, LP has developed technologically advanced manufacturing processes to deliver products that meet our customers’ changing needs. In the 50 years since our founding, LP has developed innovative building solutions that require less labor to install, increase the energy efficiency of homes and are more environmentally sustainable than competing product alternatives. For example, in 1997 we enhanced OSB technology to develop the proprietary processes and formulation that gives LP® SmartSide® products the beauty of traditional wood with the durability of engineered wood, making it one of the fastest-growing siding brands in the U. S. today.