Interstate History

Interstate Today

Enjoying a reputation for top-quality products, business innovations and consistently reliable service, Interstate Batteries is the No. 1 replacement brand battery in North America. Now over a billion dollar, privately held corporation, Interstate continues to thrive on our innovation, as well as our good old-fashioned business principles founded on treating others like we would like to be treated.

Four lines of business make up our enterprise, employing more than 1,400 team members nationwide.

• Interstate Batteries and Our Distributor Network
• Interstate All Battery Center
• PowerCare and Service Solutions, Inc.
• Interstate Batteries Recycling, Inc.

The Early Years

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 and named it Interstate Battery System, after the new interstate system being built across the U.S. He based his business on high principles: offer the best-quality product, provide impeccable service and treat the customer with respect.

The Nationwide System

By the 1980s, Interstate had distributorships in all 50 states and Canada. Today, you can even find our Distributors in Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana and Panama, with more on the way.

A Household Name

Retiring in 1978, John Searcy left the company under the leadership of President and Chairman Norm Miller. In the coming years, Interstate would seek to become a household name. Our first venture was 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, going “prime time“ with national TV commercials and sponsoring champion fishermen Guido and Dion Hibdon. In 1990, Norm’s brother Tommy Miller became Interstate Batteries’ President and C.E.O., while Norm remained Chairman of the Board. The company’s presence took off in a new area: NASCAR, now America’s fastest-growing professional sport. Interstate became title sponsor of Coach Joe Gibbs’ new Winston Cup team in 1992, winning the prestigious Winston Cup Championship in 2000. In 2004, Carlos Sepulveda took the helm as President and CEO and continued the legacy of the Interstate Batteries culture, ensuring our customers receive the best product and the most Outrageously Dependable® service. Today, we’re proud of the 60-year old reputation we’ve established and look forward to the next chapter in our history as Scott Miller carries a family legacy as Interstate Batteries’ new President and CEO.