AUSTIN DETONATOR ("AUSTIN" or "AD") is a part of AUSTIN POWDER Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. We began our activities on January 1, 1999, upon purchase of detonator manufacture division in Vsetin, Czech Republic. Our company is a substantial technological and research base for initiating systems' production and further development. The non-military production began in 1953 when the first detonator used in mining was made in our plant.
Construction of the 3rd plant of Zbrojovka Brno in Vsetin started in September 1936. Its ammunition part was the place where Austin stands today.
The new plant was put into operation on November 9, 1937. So only one year after the start of the construction in the poorly accessible terrain of two mountain valleys.
The development of electric detonators for use in mines and quarries began. This development followed up on the production of military detonators and percussion caps.
Electric detonators appeared in the production plan of Zbrojovka Vsetín for the first time. No electric detonator was produced for sale this year.
Specially designed ZB detonators are ready for production.
ZB electric detonators: designed for safe use in mines with an explosive atmosphere.
All types of detonators have antistatic plugs from now on.
The number of produced detonators reached the maximum of 66 million pieces.
The brand new Nitro Nobel line was purchased to produce electric fuseheads. The production was launched in the fall of the year. The previous Schaffler line was shut down within next
two years.
First supply of Coal Mine detonators for Austin Powder Company, USA.
A significant collaboration with Austin Powder Company began, and new products in electric and non-electric detonators were quickly developed based on APC's requirements.
Production and sales of a new range of non-electric detonators began.
The detonator production of Zbrojovka Vsetín - Indet a.s. was acquired by APC. The history of Austin Detonator began on January 1, 1999.
The production of Oil*Star detonators (OSD) is launched.
Oil*Star detonators are specially designed electric detonators used in the oil and gas industry for wireline performed blasting operations.
Austin Detonator acquired all assets for the production and sales of detonators for commercial blasting from Schaffler.
The first E*STAR detonator was manufactured.
The first meters of own shock tube for non-electric detonators were manufactured by Austin Detonator Assembly (ADA) company.
Assembly of non-electric detonators launched in Austin Detonator Assembly (ADA) in building no. 58.
The first fully automatized robotic device ROS-1 was put into operation. ROS-1 produces leg wire loops for electric detonators.
The first robotized assembly line NELA for non-electric detonators was successfully launched in building no. 233.
Thanks to the construction of a new assembly building, the production capacity of non-electric detonators expanded.
The second automat ROS-2 starts the production of wire loops in building no. 236.
Open door day was held for current and former employees and their family members in September.
The start of production on the new explosives loading line in Ráztoka valley.
A special explosion chamber was bought and used
for the development and testing of new types of explosives.
1st place in the employer competition - Gender Oriented Institution - in category: large companies.
Detonator manufacturing capacity has increased significantly – shell loading and non-electric detonator manufacturing.
The launching of the second shock tube line bears total ST production independence.
The preparation and implementation of the project took more than two years and a total investment of more than 100 million CZK.
The fourth fully automatized robotic assembly line NELA IV for non-electric detonators successfully launched.
The new Vsetín R&D team was established for cooperation on E*STAR electronic initiation system development.
The second robotic line ELF II increased the production capacity of OSD igniters again. OSD detonators are designed for undersea oil and gas mining.
More than 60 % of produced delay charges are free of heavy metals.
The acceptance of the first line for automatized assembly of E*STAR detonators. This is the most complex production line in Austin yet. The line replaces two mechanic lines for E*STAR assembly.
After almost two years, another historic milestone has been reached thanks to the successful development of a set of devices for programming and firing E*STAR GO electronic detonators. These are the E*STAR GO Logger and the E*STAR GO Blasting Machine. For the first time, the development was completely realized in Austin Detonator, Vsetín. Production of both devices will start in our sister company, Dan-Mar Company, in Norwalk, Ohio.
We are a traditional manufacturer of initiation systems for industrial blasting operations and an important technological and research base for production and further development of initiation systems.
Visit SiteAustin Powder Service CZ implements the latest technologies and products for blasting works, such as laser profiling, electronic modeling, and electronic detonators.
Austin Detonator 