Albion Extensions at Scotstoun.
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A Note Upon the Latest Additions to Scotland s Premier Motor Factory.
The growth of the works of the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., at Seotstoun, near Glasgow, furnishes high testimony to the ability and tenacity of the company's directors. Every man on the board of the Albion Co. has a considerable financial interest in the undertaking,.and accepts working responsibility for a definite section of its activities. One result of many is the continued prosperity which the company enjoys ; visible indication of this is the latest addition to its factory premises at Scotstoun, Glasgow. It was our pleasure, a short time ago, to be shown over the factory. This was on the occasion of our seventh visit to it, and we were greatly interested to call to mind some of the earlier stages in its history. The company began to specialize in commercial-motor construction a little more than 14 years ago, and vehicles of its manufacture have to be ranked among the few which originally laid the foundation of Britain's pm-eminence in the production of business vehicles.
A quick trip, from the Central Station Hotel to the works, in a smart 15 h.p. Albion taxicab, brought us to the front of the administration offices. We were immediately impressed by the happy manner in which adequacy of provision for all requirements had been tempered by due regard for reasonable expenditure. The entrance hall is, however, by no means devoid of attractiveness, with its unique balcony and decorative ironwork for the support of the electric lamps. The works entrance is between the administration offices and the older portion of the factory, and the whole system of reception is one which reduces labour to a minimum, whilst elevating order to a maximum. We are not concerned, at the moment, to give a description of the Albion works. We merely desire to direct the attention of our readers to the new fourfloor extension, the am-ca of which, on each floor, is 200 ft. by 60 ft. This latest addition to the Album works is constructed on the ferro-concrete principle. Of its total floor area of 49,156 sq. ft., that on the first floor is used as a general store for all material going into the factory, whilst the second and third floors are principally used as finished-part stores. The top floor, which is also lit from the roof, is being used for a certain amount of machining, and in part as a tool room. There is excellent light on every floor, and particularly on the top one. This four-storey addition to the factory, now in full working order, will clearly enable the company materially to increase its output forthwith, and will so place it in a position of giving further support to its agents and customers the world over. Long deferment of delivery dates is becoming increasingly a factor which allows business to be placed elsewhere, although the Albion people, largely by reason of their unique reputation, have probably suffered least of all the old manufacturers in this manner. They have done wisely in taking steps to relieve the pressure upon their machine shop ; this, for the past three-anda-half years, has been working night and day. Relatively-close delivery dates will shortly be rendered possible, and the annoying necessity to wait several months for an Albion vehicle, which position was frequently, if reluctantly, accepted by staunch Albion buyers, should now be removed for all time. That hope, we understand, is entertained and shared by the board of the Albion Co.
The additional manufacturing resources of this factory will be utilized in turning out the following Albion models: 15 h.p. chassis, for loads of 10 cwt. to 20 cwt. (according to gear reductions), for taxicab work, or 8-seater and 10-seater bus work, and for ambulance requirements: 16 h.p. chassis, for loads between 25 cwt and 40 cwt., or for 12-seater and 15-seater vehicles ; 25 h.p. chassis, for 40-cwt. loads, and 19-seater or 24-seater vehicles ; 32 h.p. chassis, for three-ton and four-ton loads, and for 29-seater vehicles. The range is comprehensive.
in conclusion, it may be pointed out that the prices for Albion chassis, inclusive of tires, range between £340 for the 10-cwt. model, and £680 for the four ton model. Bodies are fitted to order, and include box vans, lorries, tip wagons, tilt vans, all classes of municipal vehicles, such as tank-wagons, streetsprinklers and tower wagons, commercial travellers' sample cars, ambulances, chars-h-bancs (convertible if required), single-deck and double-deck buses, station buses. wagonettes, and estate vehicles.