Maple Rush: A Rapidly Growing Sugarbush in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, Maple Rush has experienced steady growth since its early days. In just a few years,
the operation has expanded from 10,000 to 60,000 taps, with a clear objective of reaching 100,000 taps in
the medium term.
Spread across multiple lots and operating 14 pumping stations,
the sugarbush requires rigorous organization and efficient travel
management, with some sites located up to 40 minutes apart.
During the sugaring season, a team of eight manages operations,
supported by monitoring systems that allow remote control
of pumping stations and the concentrator. In a context where
acquiring new land is becoming increasingly complex, every
equipment decision must support both performance and
logistical efficiency. That is why Marc-André Ouellette and Patrick
Sauvageau chose a strategic setup: a 5’ x 16’ oil-fired Master
evaporator, a 21-post heRO reverse osmosis system, several
CDL storage silos, four transport trucks equipped with CDL tanks,
as well as an insulated, heated CDL tank. Their operation is also
equipped with a complete CDL monitoring system that enables
leak management across all collection sites.
AN ACCESSIBLE TEAM
From the very beginning, the owners chose to equip their
operation entirely with CDL products. As their operation grew
rapidly, technical support and service responsiveness became
key factors. In a model where operations are spread across
multiple sites and margins for error are tight during peak season,
having access to fast, reliable support is an integral part of their
development strategy.
Beyond the business relationship, genuine friendships have
developed between members of the CDL team and Maple Rush.
With several CDL employees working as maple producers in the
region, mutual support comes naturally.
A LOVE FOR THE WOODS
Despite the scale of their operation and the fast pace of spring,
what brings them back to the woods each year remains simple,
as Patrick explains:
“When you’re in the woods, the phone doesn’t ring. The trees show
up to work every morning. It’s not the same kind of headache as
other jobs.”
Between truck runs, station monitoring, and expansion projects,
the sugarbush holds a special place in their daily lives: a demanding
yet rewarding pursuit that helps them balance their primary
businesses, family life, and their passion for sugaring season.
LOOKING AHEAD
While Maple Rush has grown quickly, their vision remains long
term. The goal of reaching 100,000 taps is firmly in place, along
with ongoing optimization projects. The owners are considering
installing a more compact evaporator to maximize space in the
sugarhouse and improve operational efficiency. They are also
exploring ways to reorganize road access to so trucks can back
up directly for loading and unloading, reducing handling and saving
time.
Each year brings adjustments. Each season improves organization.
Growth does not happen by chance. It is planned, structured, and
intentional.
But beyond the numbers and projects, the sugarbush holds a
more personal dimension. Their sugarhouse, though compact,
becomes a place for family gatherings over the course of a day
or an evening. Their children, aged 5 to 8, ride along in the trucks
during the season and are already talking about making syrup
with their father.
For them, the sugarbush is not just an expansion project. It is
demanding work, a stimulating challenge, and a space where
the pace is different. A place where, despite the pressure and
long days, the forest brings a sense of calm that cannot be found
anywhere else.
