LP Building Solutions (LP), a leading manufacturer of high-performance building products, proudly announces the grand opening of the LP Innovation Center. Located at the esteemed Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota Duluth, this state-of-the-art facility represents a significant milestone in LP's commitment to growth, innovation, and sustainability.
The LP Innovation Center serves as a unique industry-university collaboration aimed at advancing the use of sustainable technology in engineered wood products and applications. With a focus on driving future growth through new product development, LP is positioning itself at the forefront of the building materials industry.
The facility provides a controlled environment for rigorous evaluation and testing, conducted in collaboration with NRRI's esteemed building science and engineering teams. Through this partnership, LP is dedicated to achieving its ambitious roadmap of future LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding and LP Structural Solutions products, set to be released within the next five to 10 years.
Jason Ringblom, LP Executive Vice President and General Manager of Siding, expressed his belief in the power of LP's products and responsible forest management to enhance carbon storage and contribute to a lower carbon economy. He also emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with the communities in which LP operates, including the team at NRRI, to collectively work towards a sustainable future.
Jason Ringbloom
The LP Innovation Center boasts impressive features, including a full-scale mock house, display wall, and small-scale fabrication shop. These resources enable LP to thoroughly evaluate and optimize installation and application methods for engineered wood home-building products. Furthermore, the center is designed to foster collaboration between LP's team, NRRI scientists and engineers, and key customers, facilitating the development of innovative new products.
Tim White, NRRI Director of Partnership Development, expressed his excitement about taking this next step in the collaborative relationship between NRRI and LP. As an applied research institute dedicated to commercializing technologies that enhance Minnesota's economy, NRRI views the LP Innovation Center as a prime opportunity for continued innovation in partnership with LP.
Tim White
By establishing the LP Innovation Center at NRRI, LP can leverage the scientific and engineering expertise of NRRI's professionals while benefiting from the local knowledge of the LP team, given the proximity to LP's SmartSide siding mill in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Jimmy Mason, LP Executive Vice President and General Manager of OSB, highlighted the LP Innovation Center as a platform to showcase how LP's cutting-edge LP Structural Solutions and SmartSide products can combine to protect homes in new and innovative ways. The collaborative space provided by the center allows for research, development of solutions-driven products, and demonstration of the exceptional performance delivered by LP's portfolio.
Jimmy Mason
The LP Innovation Center officially opened its doors on June 21, 2023, during a grand opening event attended by LP Vice President of Siding Operations Tony Hamill, University of Minnesota Duluth Interim Chancellor David McMillan, NRRI Executive Director Rolf Weberg, and other distinguished guests. The event marked the beginning of a new era of collaboration and innovation in the building materials industry.