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Case Study Acme Explosives

A study in Enterprise Modeling

By Mike Sims Victor Stachura 01.16.13 v1.0

Case Study: Acme Explosives

Introduction

Acme Explosives had a long and successful history in the dynamite industry. The company was founded in 1866 just 2 years after the invention of dynamite by Alfred Nobel. An American entrepreneur (William Acme) was on vacation in Sweden when a chance meeting occurred at a local pub. Alfred Nobel was enjoying a pint and boasting of his invention – “It’s a real blast” he would say, while entertaining the crowd and throwing small sticks of dynamite in the yard behind the pub. William Acme was always on the lookout for a business venture and befriended Alfred that night. After a long night of “testing” Alfred’s new invention, a lifelong friendship was forged. Alfred was looking for a business partner in the United States – William Acme was it. In 1866 the United States Blasting Oil Company was formed and became sole provider of dynamite to U.S. oil companies, mining firms and bank robbers. In 1867, on a whim of the founder, William Acme changed the name of the company to Acme Explosives – because he could. Through the years the company grew into an international conglomerate, supplying high quality dynamite to industries and militaries across the globe. Acme Explosives expanded their product line to include over 500 dynamite related products, including C4 plastic explosives, and dynamite sticks in various shapes and sizes. Their expansive product line met the needs of an ever expanding industry base – from blasting rock for mining operations to the controlled demolition of buildings, Acme Explosives has the product. Acme Explosives was run by Alan Acme - the great, great grandson of William Acme. Although Alan was able to grow the company to its present size and stature, Acme Explosives was starting to experience problems with costs growing faster than revenues and inefficiencies in their supply chain, causing missed...