Maxam North America, Inc. was founded in 1979 and our head office is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, where we service the precious metal and coal operations of the Western US. In 1981, Maxam North America, Inc. introduced an advanced explosives system to the mining industry based on HEF®-High Energy Fuel, which when blended with ammonium nitrate prills forms Heavy ANFO. Heavy ANFO has significant water resistance, higher density and greater energy than ANFO. Maxam North America, Inc. was a leader in the introduction of Heavy ANFO worldwide.

Maxam North America, Inc. expanded during the 90's by acquiring three distinct subsidiary operations, Green Mountain Explosives in New England, Tennessee Blasting Services, in the southeast USA and O'Brien Design Associates, a leading manufacturer of shock tube, detonators and detonating cord, located in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

On November 15, 2001, Maxam North America, Inc. was acquired by the Explosives Division of MAXAM Europe, S.A. MAXAM Europe, S.A. was established in 1896 and was one of Alfred Nobel's four original factories in Europe. MAXAM Europe, S.A. has annual sales of more than 340 million euros and employs 2,000 people, making it one of the world's largest explosives companies. In addition to offering a complete line of explosives to the industry, MAXAM Europe, S.A. also has a large R&D department based at its manufacturing complex in Galdacano, Spain. As part of the MaxamCorp, S.A. Group, Maxam North America, Inc. enjoys ready access to an extensive worldwide network of state-of-the-art blast products and expertise.