"In order to keep pace with the influx of work I had to take on fresh hands"

James Nasmyth's quote speaks with the requirement to increase the workforce in order to stay up to date with the amount of work that needs to be done. This is a typical issue for many services, specifically those that are growing quickly. By handling fresh hands, Nasmyth is describing hiring new employees to help with the workload. This is an essential action for any service that is expanding and requires to stay up to date with the demand for its product or services. It is also a sign of success, as it reveals that the business is doing well enough to require more assistance. By taking on fresh hands, Nasmyth had the ability to make sure that his organization might stay up to date with the influx of work and continue to grow.