Apache Nitrogen Products began in 1920 as an American manufacturer of black powder based explosives. In the 1930's production transitioned to nitroglycerin-based explosives (dynamite) for the mining industry and other regional users of dynamite. The company changed its name to Apache Nitrogen Products in 1990 to reflect the shift away from Nitroglycerine dynamite to prilled Ammonium Nitrate for the mining industry, and by-products for the fertilizer industry. It occupies a historic location in Cochise County, Arizona and is one of its largest employers.