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Supplier Focus:
Hermitage Explosives Corporation

Hermitage Explosives Corporation was organized in 1956 as a privately owned distributor of Hercules Powder Company products. Hercules had operated a magazine site in Nashville since the early 1920's. That facility came under the Hermitage umbrella, and through several expansions and refinements it remains so today.

The start of Hermitage coincided with changing times in the explosives industry, including the development of more economical explosives and delivery systems. Hermitage has kept pace with these developments, including building an Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) mix plant in the 1960's. In more recent years the company acquired truck mounted delivery systems for bulk ANFO, blended products and repumpable emulsion. They are capable of employing all current technologies.

As an independent distributor, Hermitage enjoys great flexibility. Since the sale of Hercules' explosives division in the mid-1980's, the distributor has been affiliated with its successor, Dyno-Nobel (which did business as Ireco at one time). During this period a decision was made to broaden customer base, particularly in the area of quarry shot service.

In the years following, the core of company management and senior service technicians were recruited. Hermitage enjoys a high retention rate, and as the company has grown it has promoted mostly from within.

Hermitage provides good training as a continuous process, both in job skills and in mandated training. Explosives is a heavily regulated industry, and Hermitage currently trains to the standards of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (Treasury Department), Mine Safety and Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Although the company operates mostly in Middle Tennessee, they have professionals with blasting licenses in Alabama and Kentucky. Primary blasters in charge include Ron Gilbert and Charlie Murphy.

Along with major resources and good people, Hermitage puts a premium on product. The firm avoids special programs or standardization for its own sake. As one of the few remaining independent distributors, Hermitage has the ability to reach out to each circumstance individually. They try to apply the right combination of product, technology and talent to each situation.

To this end, Hermitage maintains active stocks of electric and non-electric detonators, multiple grades of dynamite, several strengths of detonating cord and cast boosters, packaged watergels and emulsions. They also stock specialty items for underground, marine and perimeter control applications, and of course, ANFO (both bagged and in bulk). In selecting explosives products, they remember the old maxim, "While no progress occurs without change, not all change is progress."

Blasting today is becoming increasingly demanding. Concerns about economy, regulatory efforts, and exposure to litigation impact most blasting decisions. Having the technology, people and products to solve your needs is what Hermitage Explosives is all about.