Hercules Powder Company

In 1907, the United States filed suit against Dupont under the Sherman Antitrust Act. Litigation concluded in 1912 with a final decree ordering Dupont to divest about half of its factory capacity and customers to two new firms, created to provide competition. One of the new firms, Atlas Powder Company, acquired the Giant Powder Company. Giant continued production at its Point Pinole plant until 1960. 

The other new firm was to be the Hercules Powder Company. 

Upon its founding in 1913, the Hercules Powder Company had eleven plants nationwide, including the “Hercules Works” near Pinole. In 1914, the company closed its venerable Santa Cruz powder mill, moving some of its equipment to establish a black powder production line at the Hercules Works.