Interstate Battery System of America

Interstate Battery System of America is an American battery manufacturer founded in 1950, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Under CEO Lain Hancock, Interstate Batteries specializes in automotive, industrial, and consumer batteries with distributorships in all 50 US states and Canada. The privately held company has recycled over 3 billion pounds of lead since 2016 and maintains strong NASCAR motorsports partnerships with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Interstate Battery System of America was founded in the spring of 1950 by John Searcy, who 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 of successful operations, Searcy founded his new company, naming it Interstate Battery System after the new interstate highway system being built across the United States.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Interstate Battery System expanded its product lineup and distribution network, becoming known for quality batteries and reliable performance. The company developed a reputation for dependable products and customer service that would become the foundation of its long-term success.

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 US 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 led to other marketing schemes such as advertising on the Paul Harvey news radio show, running national TV commercials, and sponsoring champions.

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. Interstate Battery became title sponsor of coach Joe Gibbs' new Winston Cup team in 1992, which eventually won the Winston Cup Championship in 2000, establishing the company's long-standing relationship with motorsports.

In March 2004, Carlos Sepulveda became president and CEO and went on to lead the company for almost a decade until leaving in 2013 to join Triumph Bancorp Group. Under Sepulveda's leadership, the company continued to expand its product offerings and market presence while maintaining its commitment to quality and customer service.

Norm Miller's son Scott became president and CEO in 2013, continuing the family's leadership tradition. In February 2023, the company announced Lain Hancock as the new CEO and Scott as Executive Chairman of the Board, marking a new era of leadership while maintaining the company's founding values and commitment to excellence.

Throughout its history, Interstate Battery System has maintained its position as a leading battery manufacturer, continuously innovating and improving its products while expanding its distribution network and customer base. The company's commitment to quality, reliability, and customer service has made it a trusted name in the battery industry for over 70 years.