New Year, New Chapter

The start of a new year is a natural time for fresh beginnings — and for Smoky Lake Maple Products, it also marks a new chapter.

That chapter is being guided by new ownership: Adam Drees and Mark Lee, who have been working with the Smoky Lake crew since November, 2025. While their backgrounds are different, they share a clear philosophy — build things the right way, take care of customers, and protect what makes Smoky Lake special.

For Adam, the connection is both professional and personal. As a cousin of Smoky Lake founder Angela Schumacher, he carries a sense of responsibility to carry the heart of Smoky Lake forward.

“We were drawn to Smoky Lake because it reflects values we care deeply about: quality, service, innovation, and community,” Adam says. “The equipment is thoughtfully engineered, made in the USA, and trusted by people who take their craft seriously.”

Mark’s path to Smoky Lake came through years of hands-on small business ownership. After leaving a corporate career more than fifteen years ago, he’s spent his professional life immersed in small businesses — learning firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and how closely success is tied to customer value.

“Small business is my passion because you find out quickly if what you’re doing is working,” Mark explains. “Doing the right things for the customer — creating real customer value — is what grows a company.”

That shared belief is what ultimately brought both Adam and Mark to Smoky Lake. Beyond the equipment itself, they saw something worth protecting: a company rooted in craft, community, and genuine pride in its customers’ success.
“These are innovative, high-quality products,” Mark says. “But what really matters is that we’re creating things that mean something to the people who make them and the people who use them.”

Since stepping into the business, Adam has been devoted to learning Smoky Lake from the inside — working alongside the team and seeing how deeply that mindset runs.

More than once, someone in sales or shipping has noticed a customer ordering something that won’t fit their setup, and has taken the initiative to call, ask questions, and make sure the equipment truly matches their project. That extra set of eyes is rare today, and it shows how much this team cares about getting it right.

Adam Drees

Mark echoes that observation.

This isn’t a company that just makes and sells things,” he says. “The team genuinely cares about helping customers be successful, and they take pride in that. That culture is already here — our job is to support it.

Mark Lee

With any ownership change, questions naturally arise. Both owners are clear that continuity is the priority.

“Most things haven’t changed,” Mark emphasizes. “We’re easing into ownership intentionally — maximizing continuity and minimizing turbulence. We’re still focused on building awesome equipment the right way and standing behind it.”
Looking ahead, Adam and Mark see growth and tradition working together — not in opposition.

“Our goal is to strengthen what people already love about Smoky Lake and let that guide how we grow,” Adam says.
That growth includes thoughtful improvements behind the scenes, such as better production forecasting to help reduce lead times ahead of future busy seasons — always with the customer experience in mind.

At the core of it all is trust.

“I care a lot about maintaining a high ‘say/do ratio,’” Mark shares. “Doing what we said we were going to do. Following up, following through, and coming through for customers. I’m new to making syrup, but I’m not new to taking care of customers — and that’s how I think about this role.”

Smoky Lake now moves forward under new ownership. Producers can expect ongoing access to equipment, supplies, and support as they prepare for the coming season.