Interstate Batteries

File:Interstate store - Hillsboro, Oregon.JPG

A retail location in Hillsboro, Oregon

Interstate Battery System of America, Inc., a.k.a. Interstate Batteries, is a privately owned company that markets automotive batteries manufactured by Johnson Controls through independent distributors. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and it also markets marine/RV, motorcycle, lawn and garden, and other lines of batteries in the starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) markets. Interstate Batteries operates a distributor network that supplies batteries and power solutions to over 200,000 dealers. They also have distributors in Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, and Panama, with more foreign distributors planned. Additionally, they operate over 200 corporate and franchise owned retail stores.

History

In the spring of 1950, John Searcy began selling and delivering car batteries to wholesalers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area from the back of his red Studebaker pickup truck. After two years, Searcy founded his new company, naming it Interstate Battery System after the new interstate highway system being built across the U.S.

In 1978, John Searcy retired and left the company under the leadership of President and Chairman Norm Miller. Norm Miller continued the company’s expansion so that by the 1980s Interstate Battery had distributorships in all 50 states and Canada. During that time they also created the Interstate Batteries Great American Race, which for 13 years took vintage car owners and their vehicles on a two-week, cross-country rally. This opened the door to other marketing opportunities such as advertising on the Paul Harvey news radio show, running national TV commercials, and sponsoring champion fishermen Guido and Dion Hibdon.

In 1990, Norm’s brother Tommy Miller became Interstate Battery’s President and CEO while Norm remained Chairman of the Board. As a result, Interstate Battery became heavily involved in NASCAR, America’s fastest-growing professional sport. Interstate Battery became title sponsor of coach Joe Gibbs’ new Winston Cup team in 1992 which eventually won the prestigious Winston Cup Championship in 2000.

In 2004, Carlos Sepulveda took the helm as President and CEO and continued the legacy and success of Interstate Battery’s until recently when Scott Miller, Norm Miller’s son, became President and CEO.

Motorsports

Interstate Batteries has sponsored Kyle Busch throughout his career

Interstate Batteries is a sponsor for the Joe Gibbs Racing team. Notable drivers that have run the company's sponsors have been Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, and Kyle Busch. In 2010, the company sponsoring NHRA Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards.

External links

• Interstate Batteries