Lapierre
Les Équipements Lapierre is a privately held Canadian manufacturer of maple syrup production equipment, serving commercial producers, SMBs, and hobbyists across North America through retail stores, distributors, and e-commerce, with proprietary Datacer automation technology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersSaint-ludger, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lapierre does
Les Équipements Lapierre Inc., founded in 1978 by inventor Donald Lapierre, is a privately held Canadian manufacturer specializing in equipment for the maple syrup industry. The company designs, manufactures, and sells a complete portfolio spanning the maple production workflow: sap collection (Mapleflex Solutions tubing, Flexclip 2.0, Busch vacuum pumps), extraction (mechanical, electric, and hybrid extractors), storage (sap silos), concentration (R.O. series 1000 through 10000 plus PRO and Hyperbrix lines), evaporation (Force 5, Fusion X2, Turbo Generation 3, Vision, Volcan 2000, and hobby-scale evaporators), filtration (filter presses, bead filters), and packaging (Brix equalizer, pneumatic bottler). The proprietary Datacer system adds monitoring and rule-based automation for vacuum, pumps, and temperature across sugar bush operations.
The company employs 200+ people across manufacturing facilities in Saint-Ludger and Waterloo, Quebec, and a US regional headquarters/distribution center in Swanton, Vermont. Lapierre sells through 6 company-owned retail stores in Canada, a network of authorized distributors across Canada and the United States (including an exclusive Quebec arrangement with Érable et Chalumeaux), and a direct e-commerce shop. Pricing ranges from individual parts and consumables ($1-50) to complete equipment systems and Datacer automation packages priced in the thousands of dollars, with custom enterprise quotes for large installations. The company maintains R&D partnerships with the University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center, Centre Acer, CRITA, and the International Maple Syrup Institute, reinforcing its domain authority.
Customer segments span commercial maple syrup producers (primary), small and medium operations, hobby/recreational producers, and a distributor/reseller channel. Named reference customers include Érable et Chalumeaux, Chouinard Sugar Bush, Squirrel Creek Farm, and Ensign Family Maple. Service delivery includes field technicians in Ontario for installation and maintenance, annual Open House events in Canada (May) and the USA (April), and trade show participation across North American maple industry events. The business remains under multi-generational family stewardship with no institutional investors or public listing signals identified.
Lapierre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lapierre
- Legal name
- Les Équipements Lapierre Inc.
- Website
- https://elapierre.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Les Équipements Lapierre is a privately held Canadian manufacturer of maple syrup production equipment, serving commercial producers, SMBs, and hobbyists across North America through retail stores, distributors, and e-commerce, with proprietary Datacer automation technology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lapierre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maple Syrup Equipment Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Edible Sap, Syrups & Sweeteners (Maple, Birch) Tapping/Processing (AFAMAFAL)
Keywords
Where Lapierre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-ludger
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Lapierre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Equipment Manufacturing and Sales: Designs, manufactures, and sells maple sugaring equipment including extractors, evaporators, concentrators, vacuum pumps, filtration systems, and accessories. Products sold through direct retail stores, authorized distributors, and online shop. Mix of one-time hardware sales with varying price points from individual parts ($1-50) to complete systems (thousands of dollars).
- Parts and Accessories: Aftermarket parts, replacement components, and consumables for maple sugaring equipment including tubing, fittings, filters, pumps, and cleaning solutions sold through online shop and retail locations.
- Used Equipment Sales: Secondary market for used and refurbished equipment including evaporators, pans, motors, pumps, and vessels at reduced prices.
- Service and Support: Technical support, installation services, and after-sales service for maple sugaring equipment, particularly for Ontario region and field service operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual parts and accessories |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment systems (evaporators, extractors, concentrators) |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Datacer monitoring system packages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Used/clearance equipment |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Lapierre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Les Équipements Lapierre Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells a full line of maple sugaring equipment covering the entire production workflow: sap collection (Mapleflex tubing and Busch vacuum pumps), sap extraction (mechanical, electric, and hybrid extractors), sap concentration (reverse osmosis Series 1000 through 10000 plus Hyperbrix), evaporation (Vision, Force 5, F5 Turbo, Fusion X2, Volcan 2000, Turbo Generation 3, and Loisirs), filtration (presses and bead filters), packaging (Brix equalizer, pneumatic bottler), and the proprietary Datacer sugar bush monitoring and automation system. Products are sold through 6 company-owned retail stores, an authorized distributor network, and a direct e-commerce shop serving both hobbyist and commercial maple producers in Canada and the USA.
Product overview
Les Équipements Lapierre is a maple syrup equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive product portfolio spanning the entire maple production workflow: sap collection (Mapleflex Solutions, Flexclip 2.0, Busch vacuum pumps), sap extraction (mechanical, electric, and hybrid extractors), water storage (sap silos), sap concentration (R.O.'s including Series 1000/2000/3000/5000/10000/PRO and Hyperbrix concentrators), evaporation (Force 5, F5 Turbo, Fusion X2, Turbo Generation 3, Vision, and Volcan 2000 evaporators with Optiflam and Turbo+ options), filtration (filter presses, bead filters), and packaging (Brix Equalizer, pneumatic bottler). The Datacer monitoring system enables remote monitoring and automation of concentrators and vacuum systems. Products are sold through an online shop and distributor network, with manufacturing facilities in Saint-Ludger and Waterloo, Quebec.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Datacer: Sugar bush monitoring and control system for maple operations
- Vision
- Hyperbrix
- Mapleflex Solutions
- Flexclip 2.0
- Force 5
- Volcano 2000
- Fusion X2
- Turbo Génération 3
Products and services
- Datacer Sugar Bush Monitoring and Automation System
Quantifiable outcome
- Reverse osmosis systems reduce boiling time and wood consumption for maple syrup production
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Lapierre
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lapierre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Lapierre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Proctor Maple Research Center (UVM)coreResearch partnership with University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center for advancing maple sugaring science and technology. Experts from the center present at Lapierre Open House events.
- Centre AcercoreQuebec maple research center partnership for technology development and research in maple production methods.
- CRITA - Chaire de Recherche Industrielle sur les Technologies AcéricolescoreIndustrial research chair dedicated to maple technology research. Lapierre participates in research initiatives with presentations at events discussing CRITA innovations.
- International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI)coreIndustry association partnership. Lapierre collaborated on video presenting IMSI's role in the maple industry.
- Crèneau AcéricoleminorQuebec maple industry excellence cluster supporting industry development and best practices.
- Commanderie de l'ÉrableminorArtisanal maple producer and distributor partnership featuring logo on Lapierre website as partner.
- Érable et ChalumeauxcoreExclusive distribution partnership in Quebec. Stéphane Guay from Érable et Chalumeaux provides testimonials and attends events representing Lapierre products.
- Centre de formation en Acériculture du Fleuve-et-des-LacsminorTraining institution partnership providing maple production education with Lapierre equipment featured.
- Busch (Vacuum Pump Supplier)coreTechnology partnership for Busch brand vacuum pumps integrated into Lapierre equipment. Products sold under Mapleflex Solutions brand.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lapierre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CDL Group: Quebec-based manufacturer of maple sugaring equipment including evaporators, R.O. systems, extractors, and tubing; direct competitor across Lapierre's full product workflow and primary head-to-head rival in the Canadian market.
- Dominion & Grimm: Long-established Quebec manufacturer and distributor of maple sugaring equipment, evaporators, and supplies; competes directly with Lapierre across the production workflow and also distributes complementary brands.
- Leader Evaporator Company: Vermont-based manufacturer of maple evaporators, R.O. systems, and sugar bush equipment; direct competitor in the US market where Lapierre operates through its Swanton, VT facility.
- Memprotec: Quebec-based supplier of maple production equipment including evaporators and processing systems; comparable mid-sized Canadian competitor with overlapping customer base of commercial maple producers.
- H2O Innovation (Maple Division): Canadian water/membrane technology company with a dedicated maple division providing R.O. concentrators and membrane systems; competes most directly with Lapierre's Series 1000-10000 R.O. concentrator lines.
- G.H. Grimm: Canadian manufacturer and distributor of maple sugaring equipment and supplies; comparable family-owned competitor serving both hobbyist and commercial segments with similar product breadth.
- Maheu & Maheu: Quebec-based maple equipment specialist offering evaporators, extractors, and accessories; direct competitor particularly strong in Quebec with similar mid-market customer focus.
- Bourassa Maple Equipment: Quebec maple equipment supplier serving commercial and hobbyist producers; comparable regional competitor with overlapping product lines and customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- Busch (Dr. Ing. Karg-Busch): Global vacuum pump manufacturer and current Lapierre technology partner supplying Busch pumps under the Mapleflex Solutions brand; broader industrial incumbent with overlapping capability in vacuum systems for sap collection.
Others
- Nitto/Hydranautics: Global membrane technology supplier providing ESPA4 RO membranes used in Lapierre's concentrator equipment; adjacent enabling supplier rather than direct competitor, but a key technology input for the maple R.O. segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lapierre social profiles
Digital presenceLapierre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lapierre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Lapierre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lapierre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lapierre
What does Lapierre do?
Les Équipements Lapierre Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells a full line of maple sugaring equipment covering the entire production workflow: sap collection (Mapleflex tubing and Busch vacuum pumps), sap extraction (mechanical, electric, and hybrid extractors), sap concentration (reverse osmosis Series 1000 through 10000 plus Hyperbrix), evaporation (Vision, Force 5, F5 Turbo, Fusion X2, Volcan 2000, Turbo Generation 3, and Loisirs), filtration (presses and bead filters), packaging (Brix equalizer, pneumatic bottler), and the proprietary Datacer sugar bush monitoring and automation system. Products are sold through 6 company-owned retail stores, an authorized distributor network, and a direct e-commerce shop serving both hobbyist and commercial maple producers in Canada and the USA.
Is Lapierre a public or private company?
Lapierre is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Lapierre founded?
Lapierre was founded in 1978. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lapierre based?
Lapierre is headquartered in Saint-ludger, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Lapierre make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Equipment Manufacturing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are parts and Accessories, used Equipment Sales and service and Support.
Who are Lapierre's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CDL Group, Dominion & Grimm, Leader Evaporator Company, Memprotec, H2O Innovation (Maple Division), G.H. Grimm, Maheu & Maheu and Bourassa Maple Equipment. Busch (Dr. Ing. Karg-Busch) is listed as a broad incumbent. Nitto/Hydranautics is listed as an others.
Does Lapierre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lapierre.
What industry is Lapierre in?
Lapierre's product category is Maple Syrup Equipment Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAMAFAL, Edible Sap, Syrups & Sweeteners (Maple, Birch) Tapping/Processing. Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2000.