The Profit Rolling In

The expansion began less than a week later.

This time, however, there was one major difference.

Nobody complained.

Not even Hollen.

Because for the first time, everyone inside Helmarte Soap Works understood something very important.

They had more power than they could use.

And unused power was wasted money.

Construction crews immediately got to work.

Carpenters tore down interior partitions.

Masons extended sections of the production floor.

Blacksmiths fabricated new shaft hangers and pulley supports.

Machinists built additional cutting equipment and mixing assemblies.

The entire factory entered another period of controlled chaos.

Yet unlike previous construction projects, production never stopped.

The steam engine made that possible.