Wilderness Mountain Water Company halves energy use and boosts artesian water canning 150% with ELGi compressor
14 Nov 2025
The company sources and packages artesian spring water for the world’s premier canned water brands. With a switch to ELGi oil-free compressors, it dramatically cut utility costs, boosted productivity and improved product quality.
From a historic flowing artesian well in Virginia, Wilderness Mountain Water Company (Wilderness) has produced hundreds of millions of cans of award-winning water over the last three years.
A single ELGi AB55 compressor powering its operations cut Wilderness’s energy usage by approximately 50% (44 kWh to 24 kWh per 100 CFM), resulting in nearly $5,000 in monthly utility savings. Its output rose 150%.
Mike Stokes, chief operating officer at Wilderness, said the implementation of an ELGi oil-free air compressor had a meaningful effect on the company’s operations and growth plans.
“The savings weren’t just on paper,” he explained. “We saw the results immediately in our bottom line and our production capacity. That kind of growth just isn’t possible without the right air system behind it. The technology has been a game-changer. We’re saving thousands each month that we’ve been able to reinvest directly into expansion.”
A rich history
Prospectors were probably disappointed when they struck water in the foothills of Bland County, Virginia. It was the 1920s, and they had been drilling for oil. They hit a continuous flow of pure underground water at more than 3,300 feet deep, delivering roughly 600 gallons per minute. The site was abandoned – little did they know that a century later, a can of artesian water would be worth 10x more than a can of crude oil.
Wilderness took over the site in 2021 and transformed the once-dormant property into a state of the art modern beverage operation. The water has been classified as fossil water, untouched by modern contaminants, and water sommeliers across the world have recognized its quality with medals at international competitions.
“We wanted to honor the history of this place but bring it into the future. That meant building a facility as pure and efficient as the water itself – and that’s where the right air system became critical,” Stokes said. “We modernized every part of the process, and compressed air quickly proved to be the backbone of our growth.”
Role of compressed air
Wilderness worked with Atlantic Compressors, an ELGi distributor, to install the ELGi AB 55 oil-free air compressor. The company conducted a full site assessment and energy audit, confirming that replacing the old air compressor with a new oil-free unit would reduce costs and improve product quantity and quality.
The ELGi AB 55 delivers ISO Class 0 certified air – 100% oil-free, microbiologically clean compressed air – using pre-coated stainless-steel rotors and a closed water-cooling loop. Unlike oil-flooded compressors that rely on filters to clean the air, no oil is used in oil-free compression, so there is zero chance of contamination.
Wilderness is using air compression for:
Pressurizing carbonators and filler bowls (around 45 PSI)
Purging cans with sterile air before filling
Operating pneumatic valves, seamers and filler controls
Driving de-palletizers that unload empty cans
Powering tray formers and carton packers
Blowing moisture off cans with air knives before labeling
Running palletizers that stage finished product for shipment
“The air comes into direct contact with the product, so sterile air is essential. An oil-free compressor is non-negotiable for us,” Stokes said. “In hindsight, I’d recommend anyone making the change from an oil-based compressor to oil-free also take the time to change out all their piping, too. Atlantic Compressors helped us work through those challenges, and their preventative maintenance program keeps us operating. I don’t have to worry about the system. They’ve got it covered.”
Expansion ahead
Wilderness is building on its successful overhaul. It plans to install two additional ELGi air compressors that will be networked with smart controls.
As the company looks to further increase its productivity by adding another beverage line and expanding into glass bottling, the compressors’ smart controls will balance load demands and provide only the right amount of air needed at a given moment. This will also reduce wear and tear, and the resulting maintenance required on the compressors.
“This well has run clean for a hundred years, and now our air does too,” Stokes said. “ELGi’s oil-free air compressors give us the confidence to scale faster, knowing our product quality and efficiency will never be compromised.”
CONTACTS
ABOUT ELGi
ELGi North America, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is a subsidiary of ELGi Equipments Limited, a leader in compressed air solutions for over 60 years. Established in 2012, ELGi North America, in conjunction with its subsidiaries, Pattons Inc, Pattons Medical, and Michigan Air Solutions, offers a comprehensive range of compressed air and vacuum products and services. Pattons Medical product offering includes scroll and oil-free rotary screw and reciprocating compressors, dryers, filters, dry and lubricated claw and vane vacuums, and accessories. ELGi and its subsidiaries serve multiple industry verticals spanning medical applications, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. For further information, please visit https://www.elgi.com/us/
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ABOUT ATLANTIC COMPRESSORS, INC.
Since 2004, Atlantic Compressors, Inc. has been a full-service provider dedicated to delivering unparalleled customer service in the compressed air industry. Atlantic Compressors’ comprehensive scope includes compressed air auditing, a full range of equipment and accessories, equipment installation, preventative maintenance agreements and 24/7 emergency repairs. The company also supplies replacement parts for a wide range of compressed air and vacuum equipment, serving numerous industry verticals. For more information, please visit https://atlanticcompressors.com
