When Maple Syrup Production Enters the 4.0 Era
The maple industry is evolving rapidly, driven by innovations that are transforming production methods. Among them, the adoption of stainless steel plumbing marks a turning point for sugarbushes. Offering strength, modularity, and durability, these new fully removable solutions requiring no glue make it easy to adapt setups to producers’ changing needs.
Discover testimonials from customers who have recently upgraded their plumbing systems.
DES VIEUX-MOULINS SUGARBUSH, LA GUADELOUPE AND SAINT-HILAIRE-DE-DORSET
Owner of two sugarbushes in the Beauce region, Enrico Bolducchose to upgrade his installations to optimize his operations. In 2011, he began modernizing the family sugarbush by gradually integrating the innovations offered by CDL. When he acquired a second sugarbush, he continued along the same path, convinced of the benefits these technological advancements provide.
With a strong, trusting relationship with the family behind CDL, he naturally turned to the La Guadeloupe team to meet his needs. The transition to stainless steel plumbing went smoothly, thanks to clear explanations from his sales rep, Jean-François Robert.
“JF explained the benefits of this plumbing, and I said yes immediately. If you make a change, you might as well do it right! The fully removable system is super convenient, it gives us the flexibility to adapt or expand the network based on our needs,” he shares.
Always looking for innovations, Enrico is already thinking about further optimizing his reverse osmosis system to automate even more of its operations. If one day, his two boiling centers were combined into one, he envisions integrating 4.0 technologies like the Master-E to boost efficiency. Thanks to stainless steel plumbing, he would be able to reuse his existing fittings, which would make the transition easier.
DYVECK SUGARBUSH, SAINT-CAMILLE-DE-BELLECHASSE
Passionate about maple sugaring from an early age, Yvan Pouliot fulfilled his dream in 2003 after selling his business. What began as a 6,000-tap sugarbush has grown into a major operation with nearly 70,000 taps spread across six separate lots. For the past 22 years, he has dedicated himself to this work, and his son Éric has been working alongside him for several years, jointly managing the business. Together, they ensure the performance and efficiency of their production, which relies on nine pumping stations transporting sap to the sugarhouse,
where their evaporator, the true heart of the transformation process, stands.
Loyal customers of the Saint-Lazare store since its opening, Yvan and Éric trust CDL equipment, drawn in by fast, professional, and efficient after-sales service, particularly provided by their representative, Pierre-Simon Morin. Always on the lookout for the latest technological advances, they recently installed a stainless steel plumbing network and a fully electric and automated Master-E evaporator in their sugarhouse.
“As we’d like to acquire more quotas, the flexibility and modularity of this plumbing system allow us to adapt our facilities as we grow,” explains Yvan.
In addition to its flexibility, this plumbing system ensures exceptional durability and optimal performance, key criteria for maintaining high-quality production. Driven by a vision of expansion and innovation, Yvan and Éric have no intention of slowing down. They plan to add 20,000 more taps over the next five years, continuing their growth with the same passion and a constant desire to innovate.
FRANÇOIS BOLDUC’S SUGARBUSH, LA GUADELOUPE
François Bolduc has run the family sugarbush for eight years, proudly carrying his father’s legacy. When he took over, the operation had 10,000 taps; with a bold vision and constant pursuit of improvement, he’s grown it to 110,000 taps, aiming to reach 120,000 next year. Fully committed to maple production, he focuses on innovation and optimization to manage his setup efficiently. His main sugarbush includes 80,000 taps, plus several family-owned sections managed alongside his significant other, brother-in-law, and sister, bringing the total to 35,000–40,000 taps. In the next five years, he aims to operate 100,000 taps with just a few people, building a model of efficiency that maximizes productivity and reduces downtime.
From the outset, he made strategic technology choices that laid the foundation for a large-scale project. The move to fully stainless steel plumbing was a no-brainer.
“A sugarbush is a demanding environment. Stainless steel is clean, durable, and stable over time. I want infrastructure that will last and guarantee quality syrup year after year,” he explains. This choice, backed by advice from his CDL Mégantic sales rep, Loïc Plante, not only helps prevent contamination but also maximizes the longevity of his infrastructure while meeting the industry’s rising standards.
His commitment to excellence is reflected in his forwardthinking approach, including integrating an electric evaporator. This technology helps improve energy efficiency while reducing its environmental impact. Every decision is made to transform his sugarbush into a model of innovation and performance, where tradition meets modernity to produce exceptional maple syrup.
MAPLE SPORT SUGARBUSH, SAINT-OURS
In Saint-Ours, Montérégie, Jonathan Laperle, a young successor at Ferme St-Ours, has launched an all-new maple syrup project. Under the banner of Maple Sport, Jonathan, assisted by his father, Louis Laperle, a former industrialist, has developed a plan to ensure the continuity and evolution of Ferme SaintOurs’ maple operation, which spans seven generations. With a sugarbush of 5,500 taps and plans to expand to 10,000 next year, Jonathan is bringing a major project to life: tapping into a family-owned piece of land that had never been used before. By blending respect for tradition with modern technology, the operation aims to be increasingly efficient and future focused.
To support this growth, Jonathan and Louis chose a comprehensive approach by adopting CDL’s Vision 4.0. More than just equipment, they embraced fully integrated and automated sugarbush management, allowing them to optimize every aspect of their production. This move toward a modern system didn’t come without challenges, requiring a gradual adaptation and close support. From the very beginning, representatives Mario Côté and Guillaume Provençal from the Roxton Falls team were there to advise and guide the promoters throughout the transition.
“Changing our entire process from A to Z was a major challenge, but we were supported from start to finish. Guillaume was incredibly helpful, and CDL’s after-sales service gives us fast responses to every question or necessary adjustment,” Jonathan emphasized. This successful transition to a fully optimized sugarbush marks a key milestone for them, but it’s only the beginning. The team remains eager to embrace the next wave of innovations that CDL will bring to the market, always ready to push the limits of efficiency and modernization in the maple industry.
CONCLUSION
The future of maple production relies on modern, durable, and adaptable infrastructure. By adopting stainless steel plumbing, producers are blending tradition and innovation to build more efficient, scalable sugarbushes ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
