Author: The Hampden Collection

The new machinery gleams in the sunlight, “The genius of your design, requires minimal staff, and allowed the plan to be accelerated.”, I said.“All we need to do now is to take down the fence.”, said Alexander.“Great minds think alike.”, I said, and we walk over to the fence separating the two sites, where I … Continue reading Chapter 165 – Smashing Through Boundaries →

Alexander Campbell stands, arms crossed, with a demeanour fractured by guilt, “I see you’ve installed an Otis steam elevator?““One of your elaborate necessities.”Alexander dissects his predicament, “I have a small black book, where I logged all my ideas and created a future printworks design.”“You mean this one?” I said, pulling a black book out of … Continue reading Chapter 164 – Our Intellectual Property →

"I have always had my eye on this. Fortunately, it came up for sale, and I snapped it up.", I said.Alexander Campbell and I walk around the newly paved yard and loading bay. I hand him the keys, and Alexander stands in bewilderment, looking at them, chewing on the puzzle confronting him.Finally, Alexander composes himself, … Continue reading Chapter 163 – Printworks Number Two →

In Glasgow's Southside, Princes Street is perfectly positioned close, with easy access to the city and all routes to the South, West and East by road. Furthermore, the street is situated less than half a mile from Springfield Quay, providing access to the world via the Clutha.I stand beside Alexander Campbell outside the adjacent site … Continue reading Chapter 162 – Alexander Cullen Campbell →

Thompson & French's Printworks resides on Princes Street, four hundred yards from Eglinton Toll. I proceed discreetly to Alexander Campbell's office."So we have a problem?", I ask Alexander, who is nose deep in reams of paper.Alexander doesn't look up, "We have tried everything to lower production costs.""How long have you been sitting here?""Nine hours.""Would you … Continue reading Chapter 161 – Essential Lateral Thinking →

The question about the new tram system's repercussions for current transport methods hangs in the air. As if David Mackintosh had just witnessed the future and didn't like it. Glasgow Bridge provides an excellent vantage point to look up the Clutha, which bustles with ships traversing the globe, transporting their goods. Do they fear their … Continue reading Chapter 160 – Product Test Completion →

I return to my carriage and join David Mackintosh in the driver's seat, "Time to put this map to the test.", I said, handing over the map.The driving position reveals an entirely different perspective compared to the restricted view from the interior of the coach, "How long do you think the route will take?" I … Continue reading Chapter 159 – David Donald Mackintosh →

Robert MacLeod sinks back into the carriage chair, closes his eyes and exhales one long deep breath."The best part of my job is predicting problems and making contingency plans to mitigate them.", I said.The carriage stops, and David Mackintosh, our coachmen, jumps down and opens the door. We descend from the carriage on Park Road … Continue reading Chapter 158 – Ace of Diamonds →

In our carriage, Robert MacLeod stares at the guinea in my hand, tales side up, "We need to improve the cost side of the equation. You have the right intention by doing everything possible to reduce cost and not sacrifice quality. Quality is the boundary we will never cross.""You are going to help?", Robert asks, … Continue reading Chapter 157 – Commerical Success Equation →

Our carriage picks up speed along the city's greatest road, "Alexander Campbell and I have run the numbers, over and over again to no avail.", said Robert Macleod."I'll visit Alexander later to sort this. Time for a business lesson. On one side of the equation, you have the cost." I open back up the map … Continue reading Chapter 156 – Ultimate Business Dilemma →