Evaporation in the Electric Era with the Master-E
Maple sugaring is transforming significantly, driven by technological advances that are redefining production methods. As energy efficiency, automation, and consistent product quality become top priorities, more producers are integrating innovative equipment into their sugarbush operations.
Among these solutions, the Master-E evaporator stands out with its fully electric and automated operation, offering a modern and high-performance approach to evaporation. But beyond the technical features, how does this technology fit into the daily life of maple producers?
Through the testimonials of three of our customers who adopted this innovation, we discovered a new way of making maple syrup.
JD MERCIER MAPLE SYRUP FARM, BEAUCE – OWNER OF ONE UNIT
A former owner of a Christmas tree plantation business, this visionary maple producer has impressively developed his sugarbush. He began at just 14 years old with 1,100 taps and quickly became involved in expanding the family operation. Today, with the support of his sons, he manages a sugarbush with 87,000 taps. His sons also own their sugarbush, continuing the family tradition. The operation spans 2,500 acres and has continually evolved thanks to integrating modern technologies to optimize maple syrup production.
To address energy and financial challenges, he made a strategic choice by adopting the fully electric and automated Master-E evaporator. This efficient system, designed to operate under vacuum with rapid preheating time, ensures consistent and effective syrup production. Using a 10-membrane heRO concentrator, he drastically reduced his energy costs from an estimated $15,000–$20,000 for an oil-fired evaporator to just $1,450 in electricity per season.
Although there was some initial uncertainty, the customer is now praised for his investment. “At first, we wondered if we made the right choice, but today, we’re blown away by how much it helps us!” he says enthusiastically. He even jokes that it’s a shorter drive from his sugar shack to the store in La Guadeloupe than to go back home! A strong bond of trust has formed with the CDL team, he knows that when he calls his rep Jean-François Robert, he’ll get a clear, reliable answer, and that’s precisely what he’s looking for.
He’s always striving for improvement and is considering adding another 5,000 taps over the next few years. Innovation and passing down his know-how to the next generation are his top priorities. By focusing on advanced technologies and efficient management, he ensures the sustainability and profitability of his sugarbush.
Daniel Mercier, accompanied by his wife and their two sons. He has owned a Master-E since the 2023–2024 season
FOREST FARMERS SUGARBUSH, NEW YORK AND VERMONT — OWNER OF 3 UNITS
Michael Farrell has been a maple producer for over nine years in Lake Placid city in New York State. With a solid background in forestry, this seasoned producer manages about 150,000 taps spread over multiple properties in New York and Vermont with the partners he works with.
CDL naturally stood out as the best option when he considered investing in new equipment, thanks to its innovation expertise, high-quality equipment, and ability to support large-scale operations. However, a key factor in his decision to acquire three Master-E electric evaporators (two in New York and one in Vermont) was prompted by the U.S. government program offering financial incentives for energy-efficient equipment. These subsidies made the transition to an advanced, eco-friendly solution even more financially viable.
“Switching to CDL’s Master-E electric evaporators was a strategic decision. The efficiency, savings, and sustainability benefits have significantly impacted our operations,” he says.
Beyond environmental advantages, the Master-E units also led to significant cost savings compared to traditional fuelbased evaporators. After an initial adjustment period, the machines showed substantial efficiency improvements, resulting in smoother operations and a much more satisfied team. The high quality of the syrup produced further confirms that this was the right investment. Moving forward, the company continues to expand gradually, developing new land while focusing on sustainable forest management.
Michael Farrell, owner of 3 Master-E units, the first of which was acquired during the 2023–2024 season
DONALD OUELLET’S SUGARBUSH, BASSAINT-LAURENT — OWNER OF 3 UNITS
Donald Ouellet, a civil engineer by profession, turned his semi-retirement into a true maple sugaring adventure. What started as an 11,000-tap project has quickly grown to nearly 98,000 taps, with ambitious plans to reach 175,000 in the coming years.
Always looking for efficiency and freedom in his work, Donald made a game-changing decision: he chose CDL’s Master-E, which offers remote control and simplified management of his sugarbush. Before this transition, he used a pellet evaporator, which required constant monitoring. With the Master-E, he now enjoys much greater autonomy.
For Donald, maple sugaring is more than just an activity, it’s a true family story. Today, he shares this passion with his children, Guillaume and Mélanie, who are also his business partners and majority shareholders in the sugarbush. Together, they form a dynamic team fully committed to the development and longevity of the family business.
“We manage the sugarbush as a family, like a real team. While on vacation, my kids handled the fieldwork, and I monitored everything remotely with CDL’s Master-E. Peace of mind, even from miles away.”
Thanks to their three Master-E evaporators, Donald and his family enjoy a cutting-edge and highly efficient production process. While a few adjustments were needed at the start, CDL’s support quickly helped optimize their system. This collaboration strengthened Donald’s trust in the company, which he considers to offer service far superior to the competition. He specifically highlights the excellent support of his rep, Daniel Roussel from the Cabano store, whose professionalism makes all the difference in his customer experience.
Donal Ouellet, owner of 3 Master-E units, the first of which was acquired during the 2023–2024 season
CONCLUSION
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our customers for their trust and valuable collaboration. Their inspiring testimonials showcase the full potential of the Master-E in a rapidly evolving maple sugaring industry. Thanks to their openness to innovation, they are actively shaping the future of our industry.
Thank you for being part of this great adventure with us!
