American lumber panels and engineered wood producer Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) saw its losses narrow in the first quarter and expects activity to increase in the remainder of the year.

LP recorded an operating loss of US$42.5m compared with a loss of US$85.7m a year ago. Sales of US$204.6m were down 41% on a year ago.

The OSB division reported an operating loss of US$24.2m – an improvement of 61%, while the siding business showed a US$2.1m profit.