O’Brien is past president of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association and was president at the time the Seal of Quality designation was being introduced.
The O’Briens’ own operation has gone through the quality assurance steps necessary to become a Seal of Quality producer.
It was five years ago that he got into the equipment side of the operation, taking over a small dealership in the area.
"We provide supplies for the bigger producers, but what I found (as a producer) is that there was virtually no one around who made syrup who was
a dealer who I could go to and get some really
good advice from. And we’re able to sit and talk
to the smaller producer."
