Our History
Interstate Batteries® Through the Years
Since 1952, we have been evoking our compassionate, trustworthy spirit into our surrounding communities. With a history as rich as our brand, we have continually earned the trust of professionals through our ongoing devotion to quality and service. Our commitment holds steadfast to making a positive impact on our customers, team members and partners, now and for generations to come.
![John Searcy loading batteries into his truck](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1952-johnsearcy_467x290.jpg?h=290&w=467&hash=9E7ADAA5D771A8AD0F599386E1268633)
1952
Interstate Battery System is founded when John Searcy beings shipping batteries to accounts in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
![1963 Interstate Battery System of America sign](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1963-ibsa-label-_467x290.jpg?h=290&w=467&hash=44F5EF91BC4140079A58FF01727F2A6D)
1963
A decision is made to drop the "A" in IBSA from advertising, and the IBS Interstate Battery System shield logo is introduced.
1 Million Batteries Sold
![One million mug](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1976_956x450-1.jpg?h=561&w=1192&hash=1A7463688EFB4DD23E767012F9B9E352)
1976
We sell 1 million batteries in a single year. To celebrate, we present team members with a commemorative thank you mug—a tradition we've adopted for every million batteries we sell.
![John Searcy and Norm Miller](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1978-304x216.jpg?w=385&hash=2E4A3BDE186EF986A3E093EDC3A3283E)
1978
Interstate® founder John Searcy retires, and Norm Miller becomes President and Chairman of the Board.
![Paul Harvey](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1982-304x216.jpg?w=385&hash=4EB2DFB6CF30FD1C3EC097692F34108C)
1982
Our first advertising campaign launches on the Paul Harvey radio show—putting us on the map by linking a relatively unknown brand with an internationally known andrespected personality.
![Great American Race](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1983-304x216.jpg?w=385&hash=9ACF806496C2D0BCC6D2E8B6DE8E3636)
1983
Interstate® creates The Great American Race, a two-week, cross-country vintage car race with $250K in prize moneyand a one-hour special on ESPN. We sponsored the race for13 years (1983-1996).
First National TV Commercial
![Norm's Truck-o-Rama](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1985_956x423.jpg?h=423&w=956&hash=300589FDDE333C28AD4A7E442BE03539)
1985
Interstate® launches “Start,” our very first national TV advertisement.
![Consumer Reports Magazine Cover](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1987-_304x215.jpg?w=385&hash=B7E9FD504B587D275AEB98C7268A488A)
1987
Consumer Reports declares the Interstate® Mega-Tron® the highest rated of all batteries tested.
![Route truck](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1989-route-truck_304x215.jpg?w=385&hash=F263A4C4E82D55EF72188C967520F742)
1989
We go international with our first distributorship in Canada.
![Mission trip](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1990_304x215.jpg?w=385&hash=EFFC7DC2C2BDBDB8C9423A5332470100)
1990
The Interstate® Chaplaincy Team is established and begins international mission trips to provide support to countries in need.
![Joe Gibbs Racing](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1991_467x309.jpg?h=309&w=467&hash=2EB56F02B83302D5D184F259FC10C5EF)
1991
Interstate Batteries® becomes the founding sponsor ofJoe Gibbs Racing and begins one of the longest-running alliances in professional sports.
![Dale Jarrett 1993](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1993_467x309.jpg?h=309&w=467&hash=1C29FBBAA06E56EDE619B57322EA4858)
1993
Dale Jarrett, Joe Gibbs Racing and Interstate Batteries® celebrate their first NASCAR Cup Series win at the Daytona 500.
100 millionth battery sold
![Interstate Megatron batteries](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/1994-megatron-956x412.jpg?h=514&w=1192&hash=59CB33582D67DB5F569C13D973AC9EA4)
1994
Interstate® sells its 100 millionth battery to date.
![Interstate All Battery Center store](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/2000-abc-retail-store_304x228.jpg?w=385&hash=B57C758A253ACC6C8054F1D0BBE6EAB6)
2000
Our first Interstate All Battery Center® franchise opens to fill consumer and local business needs for portable power—from hearing aid batteries to industrial equipment batteries.
![Interstate Batteries Green Standard](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/2007-2_304x228.jpg?w=385&hash=11962D09E2E1DB6E768198410A3B7D9E)
2007
Our lead recycling subsidiary, Interstate Batteries® Recycling (IBR), starts as the Lead Management Team (LMT). We recycle one million pounds of lead after just one month.
![Interstate Batteries Outrageously Dependable](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/2008-odlogo_304x228.jpg?w=385&hash=1018E105C5F0F08C8425E448A7DB97CD)
2008
Interstate Batteries® registers the trademark phrase Outrageously Dependable®.
Scott Miller becomes CEO
![Scott and Norm](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/2013-956x555.jpg?h=555&w=956&hash=D3C57AACA4492C489DF1F0B38BBBA1D7)
2013
Scott Miller becomes President and CEO of Interstate Batteries®. Norm Miller continues to serve as Chairman of the Board.
![Purpose and values](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/2014-pv-304x203.jpg?w=385&hash=E2E3B7043644C6FDA9D2CED5272B33F5)
2014
Interstate® codifies its culture by defining our company's Purpose & Values.
![Interstate Batteries green standard recycling](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/2019_304x203.jpg?w=385&hash=373C5D087A0FE9A272263E6B3205398F)
2019
Interstate® recycles 10 billion pounds of lead to date.
![Interstate batteries on dolly](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/2020_304x203.jpg?w=385&hash=EA536580DE10709788491616901F69DE)
2020
Interstate® recycles 1 billion pounds of lead in a single year. If you lined up all the batteries we recycled thus far—they could wrap the Earth 2.5 times.
500 MILLION BATTERIES SOLD
![2021- 500 millionth battery sold at Interstate Batteries](/-/media/project/interstate-batteries/final-images/about/history/500-million-batteries-sold.jpg?h=341&w=1200&hash=4C348A29598110E49ABCED46B6E6766F)
2021
We sell 19 million batteries in a single year. Interstate® sells its 500 millionth battery to date.