Rick and Rusty Schilbe

Maple Syrup Depot is owned and operated by Rick Schilbe and his son Rusty of Bayfield, Ontario, Canada. The sugar shack (seen below) was built in 1949 by Peter Eisenbach, and the Schilbe family purchased it in 1964. The sugar shack continued using the original equipment for a few years, and in 1967 the Schilbe family installed an updated evaporator system, which is still in use today. About ten years ago, Rick and Rusty switched to a vacuum system, which uses a pump to create a negative pressure that is transferred via a tubing network to individual tapholes in the trees. This allows for a much more efficient system for collecting sap than the old original bucket method.

Superior Quality & Taste

A mechanical engineer by trade, Rick wanted to improve the quality of the syrup they produce, so he incorporated a reverse osmosis system. This has resulted in a much higher quality of syrup than many of the competitors. Another secret to the superior taste of the Schilbe maple syrup is the sandy soil in the area. The soil results in a unique tasting product that is cleaner and sweeter than most other maple syrup. Generally, maple syrup from the Northern areas are produced from trees planted on heavy clay or rock, which leads to a “soil related” aftertaste. If you want better tasting syrup, order from MapleSyrupDepot.com.

The Schilbe Saw Mill

In addition to the maple syrup operation, shortly after obtaining his Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo, Rick updated and helped operate his fathers saw mill in Bayfield. Many years later, after his father had retired, Rick took over the operation of the saw mill. The demand for custom cut lumber became in high demand from builders and contractors throughout Southwestern Ontario. Rick and Rusty operate the saw mill jointly, and continue to provide quality lumber to anyone who needs it.