Wilson’s Country partners with McCulla and SUSNEO to pioneer sustainable logistics and energy solutions
A ground-breaking transport and distribution service, centred on the use of bio-methane fuelled lorries, has allowed Irish potato processing business, Wilson’s Country, to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint.
Twelve months ago, business reached an agreement with McCulla Ireland Ltd, which saw the Co Antrim-based Logistics and Warehousing provider distributing the Wilson’s product range to customers throughout the island of Ireland using lorries that are powered with fully renewable bio-methane.
The fuel is generated at McCulla’s own anaerobic digestion plant.
Staggering Carbon Savings Achieved in Just One Year
According to Wilson’s Country managing director, Lewis Cunningham, the switch to the new transport arrangements has had a staggering – and extremely positive – impact on the carbon footprint across the potato business.
He explained: “Over the past year, the new haulage arrangements have reduced our greenhouse gas emission levels by the equivalent of 403,374 kg of carbon. This is equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere by 18,318 mature trees. And we want to build on this for the future.
“The development represents a win: win scenario for Wilson’s Country and the customers we supply, not only with the carbon savings but also the detailed data received from McCulla around our carbon savings along with the excellent service.”
Proactive Response to Climate Legislation
Climate Change legislation will require all businesses operating in the UK to secure a carbon net zero position by 2050. As a result, greenhouse gas reduction targets have been established within a three-tier system.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions relate to activities that take place within a business itself. Scope 3 emissions, on the other hand, relate to emissions associated with the activities of suppliers and the relationship between a business and its customers.
Craigavon-based Wilson’s Country is committed to securing a carbon net zero position within the most feasible time frame possible.
Investment in Renewable Energy from Potato Waste
Lewis Cunningham again: “We have recently invested £3M in our own anaerobic digestion plant.
Fuelled for the most part by potato waste from the business, it is already producing around 60% of the electricity that we need on an annual basis.
“The utilisation of this green energy is already helping us to secure our Scope 1 and Scope 2 targets on a meaningful basis, with a reduction of 68% between 2019-2024. The agreement with McCulla Ireland Ltd is allowing us to address our Scope 3 commitments in a very proactive manner.”
McCulla Ireland Leads Sustainable Logistics
Alan McCulla is the commercial director of McCulla Ireland Ltd.
He commented: “We are delighted to be working with Wilson’s Country. Both companies are transitioning to a carbon net zero position in a very meaningful way. McCulla Ireland is leading the way in sustainability with our innovative approach to logistics solutions.
“Our bio-methane fleet is helping customers achieve a 99.1% reduction in carbon emissions, making significant progress in reducing Scope 3 emissions across Ireland.
“We are excited to have helped secure this level of emissions’ reduction for Wilson’s Country.
Both our companies are family-run businesses, striving for the best when it comes to both sustainability and providing a fantastic service to customers.”
AI-Driven Sustainability Management with SUSNEO
Another key factor that aligns both businesses is their use of the sustainability management systems provided by the Belfast-based, technology and consulting company SUSNEO.
The company provides a holistic analysis, in real time, of all the key metrics that determine the overall sustainability levels achieved in all businesses. At the heart of all this is the innovative use of artificial intelligence.
Moreover, all relevant data is assessed in full compliance with the entire gamut of the ‘sustainability standards’ now used within the public and private sectors.
SUSNEO’s AI Platform Accelerates Decarbonisation
SUSNEO CEO and Founder, Maryam Hussein commented: “SUSNEO is the only platform capable of combining enterprise data with AI-driven insights for sustainability at scale.
“By incorporating climate considerations, we assess risks, identify key drivers and predict the most effective green energy opportunities for each business location. Our built-in consultancy ensures we’re on a journey to simplify sustainability, tailored uniquely to every client’s business.”
Maryam Hussein concluded: “We also deliver automated, AI-powered de-carbonisation pathways, offering clear, actionable steps to reduce emissions and achieve sustainability goals faster and more efficiently than ever before.
“Our deep integration with the enterprise ensures that every recommendation aligns with each business’s goals for growth and profitability.”
Source: Wilson’s Country
Author: Richard Halleron
Cover image: Confirming the significant reduction in carbon footprint achieved by the Wilson’s Country potato processing business over the past 12 months, l to r: Maryam Hussein, CEO SUSNEO; Lewis Cunningham, managing director, Wilson’s Country and Brian Beattie, operations’ director, McCulla Ireland Ltd.
Further information:
Lewis Cunningham
lewis.cunningham@wilsonscountry.com
07770 655642