Innovation

The general manager, Mark McMullen and a man from Elmira Pump named Jim Germann developed the water reclaim system currently operating at Wilson’s. This is a unique system, that has been built specifically for the dealership and to meet all their needs in washing and detailing the vehicles they have on their lot. The system is made to collect rain water and melted snow from the roof of the dealership through large pipes. This water is then filtered for debris, salt, etc. and then held in large tanks until ready for use. When extra water is collected it is irrigated to the outdoor storm pond. After washing, the water is re-filtered and goes through oil interceptors in case of any accidental spills.

Some of the water contains run-off such as oil, and this is stored in a separate tank that is taken away by Safety Claim. A specific section of the garage is designated for de-greasing to avoid the spread of contaminated water. Water used for just regular washes is re-filtered and the restored for use again. This innovation helps to decrease the amount of water wasted through cleaning operations of the business. It also reduces the carbon emissions and additional costs of transporting water to and from the dealership for use. By using this innovation, Wilson’s is actively making a transition to responsible consumption and contributing to the sustainability of their own business.

Inspiration

Wilson’s began in 1961, when Al Wilson opened an automotive service shop, which became a used car dealership when his son Mark Wilson took over the company. It has grown substantially in the last 50+ years and it is the growing size and success of the company that has helped them achieve this innovation. Mark McMullen is long-time friends with Mark Wilson and was a key contributor, along with Jim Germann in developing this innovation. The idea came from a water reclaiming system used at Elmira Farm Supply. Of course, a dealership does not deal with organic compounds such as manure, so they had to redesign a unique system that would reclaim water, which in turn had a positive impact on the local environment. This innovation became one of a kind, and now serves as inspiration to other firms who are looking for a similar system. Mark McMullen noted "We used to look to other people and now they are looking to us".

Overall impact

Through this innovation, Wilson’s has been able to produce a positive impact on the environment, business, and the community as a whole. The short-term economic effects of the water reclaim system were not beneficial for Wilson’s, as they experienced an initial monetary loss. The company took a financial risk by implementing the system. Staff also had to absorb a new responsibility in their role to maintain and upkeep the system which requires frequent checks to ensure proper operation. This required the understanding of the system by staff to ensure the smooth transition to the use of the innovation. The long-term effects, however, have been beneficial through providing the ability to save money and have a more sustainable business operation. Wilson's began to see profit from the innovation, while lowering their ecological and carbon footprint. Mark McMcullen prided himself in the ability to do both, "We save money and save the environment at the same time".

The impact on the environment has been positive, using rain and snow from the roof of dealership is more sustainable than using water from local lakes and aquifers as that would also require the implementation of pipelines to the business, interrupting local ecosystems. The reclaiming of this water has reduced water consumption and cut down on transportation of water, and therefore carbon emissions. In the long term, this hopefully reduce the impact of operations on the environment and preserve the ecosystems in the community.

The business and environmental benefits have both created further social benefits for the community. Increased profit they earn from using the innovation can find its way back into the community as Mark Wilson’s sponsors local sports teams such as Guelph Storm. They also can use this to benefit citizens looking for employment, as the business believes in providing jobs and opportunities for young adults. McMullen said, “let the community know that you are giving back". In the future, having a sustainable business model allows for future growth, which leads to more employment for people, as well as more opportunities to make an a big difference in the community through increased profits.

Business benefit

Mark saw an opportunity to save money through reclaiming water they otherwise would’ve spent thousands of extra dollars to get rid of. The initial investment was around $300, 000 dollars and with all the repairs and maintenance they have spent close to a quarter of a million dollars on the water reclaim system. With that he said "even though the system was expensive we saw the money come back quick". If this system was not set in place they would be spending around $50,000 - $60,000 dollars a month to remove the waste tanks from the property. Instead due to the irrigation and filtration system they take away way less, reducing the costs of the company. In the short term, Wilsons put out a lot of money to create the reclaim system, although we can see that in the long run the company will have increased profit and better sustainability.

The innovation was also received extremely well by the public, who even came for tours to view the water reclaim system. The community recognized that Wilson’s had taken the extra step to improve their impact on the environment, and this has created a good corporate image for the dealership. This in turn, gives them a competitive advantage, and increase the likelihood of customers looking to buy used cars to choose them.

Social and environmental benefit

The environmental benefit of the innovation is the reduction in their ecological footprint. Since the introduction of the water reclaim system, their overall water usage has decreased. They are using water more efficiently by wasting less, protecting this valuable resource and addressing the SDGs. This contributes to action on climate change by taking a positive turn in the right direction through responsible consumption. The system was also designed to take extra, but not compulsory, precautions for water entering to the surrounding ecosystem. With Mark McMullen adding the additional filtration systems (i.e. oil interceptors), Wilson's is taking extra steps. In doing this, their innovation improves the local environment. Hopefully this unique innovation will inspire other companies to do something similar and make a positive impact on their local ecosystem by reducing water usage.

In addition to reducing water use at Wilson's, they have also reduced carbon emissions. Before the system was implemented, they were having trucks come to remove waste approximately every other week. But with the innovation, the emissions produced by transportation have been reduced drastically due to less trips to safety claim

Interview

Mark McMullen, General Manager