Yesterday I went along to one of the viewing days for the auction of Alden HenDi equipment.

I started off depressed, not least because Alden's fancy new facility was itself located on one of those brand new faceless industrial estates that seem to spring up on any field near an A-road. This reinforced my feelings that the powers-that-be running the country won't be happy until every blade of grass on this island is covered in concrete.

Anyhow, it was weird walking around this ghost factory, the empty desks in the sales office still host to some cast-off ephemera of office life such as the odd fluffy gonk and "lucky eight ball". The silent factory floor. And the poignancy of the notice board in reception that still says "Welcome to Alden".

Of course, for the auctioneers (in this case King Sturge) and the various used machinery dealers I bumped into, this is all just absolutely normal day-to-day stuff. There were a fair few printers in attendance too. I decided not to be depressed anymore because these companies are among the many that are getting on with business, still employing people, running a tight ship and running it well.

Alden HenDi failed because they got it badly wrong, and that's a great shame. Meanwhile, life goes on and for those with the wherewithal and means to achieve it, this could just be the optimum time to lay the foundations for a stronger business in the future. Or even a new one altogether.