In 1833, America was emerging as a vibrant, growing country with virtually boundless energy and a manifest destiny. The Erie Canal, in operation for eight years, had cut travel time from New York westward to Buffalo by one-third for both people and cargo. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, America's first passenger train, was opening up the western reserve.
 

Part of the westward migration involved, literally, moving mountains. Austin Powder was founded in that same year to produce the black powder that would help break the rocks, mine the coal and build the canals. From the banks of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, we grew as the country grew.
 

We are the second oldest manufacturing company in Ohio. Today, we manufacture a full line of industrial explosives and accessories, and provide blasting services to customers throughout North America and around the world (see "Austin International").
 

Our main plants are in McArthur, Ohio; Camden, Arkansas; Brownsville, Texas; and Valle Hermosa, Mexico (see Austin Star Detonator). Distribution in the U.S. and Canada is primarily through 65 company-owned stores.
 

While our black powder days are long gone, the original spirit and initiative remain as part of our corporate culture. We are pleased to be of service to our mining, construction, and seismic exploration customers in North America and throughout the world.