Interstate Batteries

Interstate Batteries is the consumer-facing brand and operating name of Interstate Battery System of America, Inc., a privately owned United States company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Rather than manufacturing all of the batteries sold under its name, the company primarily operates as a battery marketer, distributor, and service-network coordinator. Its products are manufactured by outside suppliers, including Brookfield Business Partners, Exide Technologies, and other producers, and are distributed through a large network of independent Interstate distributors and dealers. The business began in the Dallas–Fort Worth area when John Searcy started selling and delivering automotive batteries to wholesalers from a red Studebaker pickup truck in 1950. After building the operation for approximately two years, Searcy formally established the company and named it Interstate Battery System, a reference to the interstate highway network then being developed across the United States. The highway-oriented name reflected the company’s ambition to build a broad distribution system rather than remain a local battery seller. Interstate’s core business is concentrated in starting, lighting, and ignition batteries for cars and other vehicles. Its broader portfolio includes automotive replacement batteries, marine and recreational-vehicle batteries, motorcycle batteries, mobility batteries, lawn-and-garden batteries, and selected industrial and specialty applications. The company also supports battery replacement and collection through retail locations, independent dealers, corporate stores, and franchise stores. Public descriptions of its network state that Interstate distributors supply batteries to more than 200,000 dealers and that the company operates more than 200 corporate- and franchise-owned retail stores. The company’s distribution footprint extends throughout the United States and into a number of Caribbean, Central American, and South American markets, as well as Canada and Bermuda. Its model places considerable emphasis on local distributors, wholesale relationships, dealer availability, warranty support, and used-battery collection. This gives the brand a presence at automotive retailers, repair businesses, parts outlets, equipment dealers, and other points of sale without requiring every location to be directly owned by Interstate. Interstate has also used motorsports, radio, television, vintage-car events, and technical education partnerships to build brand recognition. Its NASCAR relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing became one of its most visible marketing platforms, while the Interstate Batteries Great American Race connected the brand with owners of historic vehicles. Since 2018, the company has supplied batteries for Universal Technical Institute training programs in automotive, diesel, and marine technology, linking the brand with hands-on technical education. Environmental stewardship is another stated component of the business. Interstate promotes the collection and recycling of spent lead-acid batteries through its distributor and dealer network. The company has reported that, since 2016, its recycling activities have processed approximately 3.08 billion pounds of lead and kept more than 77 million automotive batteries out of landfills. These figures are company-reported and relate to the company’s recycling program rather than to a separate manufacturing operation. Leadership has remained closely associated with the Searcy and Miller families. John Searcy retired in 1978, after which Norm Miller led the company’s expansion. Norm’s brother Tommy Miller later became president and chief executive, followed by Carlos Sepulveda in 2004 and Scott Miller in 2013. In February 2023, Interstate announced that Lain Hancock would become chief executive officer while Scott Miller moved into the role of executive chairman. The company states its purpose as delivering a trustworthy source of power while glorifying God and enriching lives.

Interstate Batteries traces its origins to 1950, when John Searcy began selling and delivering automotive batteries to wholesalers in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. He used a red Studebaker pickup truck to transport the products, operating initially as a local battery supplier. Around two years later, Searcy formally established Interstate Battery System and adopted a name inspired by the interstate highway system being built across the United States. The name expressed a national distribution ambition at a time when improved roads were making wider commercial coverage more practical. Searcy retired in 1978 and left the company under the leadership of Norm Miller, who served as president and chairman. During Miller’s tenure, Interstate expanded its distributor structure across the United States and Canada, reaching all 50 states by the 1980s. The company developed marketing beyond conventional automotive advertising, including the Interstate Batteries Great American Race, a two-week cross-country event for owners of vintage automobiles. The event ran for 13 years and helped connect the brand with automotive enthusiasts. Interstate also used Paul Harvey radio advertising, national television commercials, and sponsorships to improve consumer recognition. In 1990, Norm Miller’s brother Tommy Miller became president and chief executive officer while Norm continued as chairman. The company subsequently became strongly associated with stock-car racing. In 1992, Interstate Batteries became title sponsor of Joe Gibbs’s newly formed Winston Cup team. The relationship developed into a long-running NASCAR platform and was associated with the team’s 2000 Winston Cup championship. Over time, the brand’s motorsports relationships included drivers such as Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, and J. J. Yeley. Interstate also began sponsoring NHRA Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards in 2010. Carlos Sepulveda became president and chief executive officer in March 2004. He led the company for almost a decade before departing in 2013 to join Triumph Bancorp Group. Scott Miller, a member of the Miller family, became president and chief executive officer in 2013. Under the company’s continuing private ownership, Interstate maintained its role as a marketer and distributor rather than positioning itself primarily as a single-factory battery manufacturer. Its products were sourced from multiple manufacturing partners and sold through independent distributors, dealers, and retail locations. The company’s commercial scope broadened beyond conventional passenger-car batteries. Interstate marketed lines for marine and recreational-vehicle use, motorcycles, mobility equipment, lawn and garden equipment, and industrial or specialty applications. Its distribution system also extended beyond the United States to Canada, Bermuda, and several Caribbean, Central American, and South American countries. Public descriptions of the network indicate that distributors supply more than 200,000 dealers and that the company has more than 200 corporate- and franchise-owned retail stores. Interstate has promoted battery recycling through its distributor network, which collects used batteries from dealers for responsible processing. The company has stated that its recycling program processed about 3.08 billion pounds of lead and kept over 77 million car batteries out of landfills from 2016 onward. In 2018, Interstate partnered with Universal Technical Institute to supply batteries for hands-on automotive, diesel, and marine training programs. This partnership placed the brand in a technical-education setting as well as in retail and repair channels. In February 2023, Interstate announced another leadership transition: Lain Hancock became chief executive officer and Scott Miller became executive chairman of the board. The company continues to present itself as a privately owned, service-oriented battery source with a broad dealer network, multiple battery categories, motorsports visibility, and a stated purpose centered on trustworthy power and community enrichment.

• 2023

  Lain Hancock becomes CEO

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Lain Hancock became chief executive officer, and Scott Miller became executive chairman.

• 2018

  Universal Technical Institute partnership begins

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Interstate began supplying batteries for UTI automotive, diesel, and marine technology training programs.

• 2013

  Scott Miller becomes CEO

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Scott Miller became president and chief executive officer after Carlos Sepulveda’s departure.

• 2010

  NHRA sponsorship expands motorsports presence

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Interstate began sponsoring NHRA Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards.

• 2004

  Carlos Sepulveda becomes CEO

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Carlos Sepulveda became president and chief executive officer in March 2004.

• 2000

  Sponsored team wins Winston Cup championship

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  The Joe Gibbs Racing team associated with Interstate Batteries won the Winston Cup Championship.

• 1992

  Joe Gibbs Racing sponsorship begins

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Interstate Batteries became title sponsor of Joe Gibbs’s new Winston Cup team, establishing a major NASCAR marketing relationship.

• 1990

  Tommy Miller becomes president and CEO

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Tommy Miller became president and chief executive officer while Norm Miller remained chairman.

• 1978

  Norm Miller assumes leadership

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Founder John Searcy retired, and Norm Miller took over as president and chairman.

• 1952

  Interstate Battery System is founded

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  Searcy formally founded the company and named it after the emerging interstate highway system.

• 1950

  John Searcy begins local battery distribution

  [1]Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org

  John Searcy began selling and delivering automotive batteries to Dallas–Fort Worth wholesalers from a red Studebaker pickup truck.

A dependable, service-supported replacement-battery brand built around broad dealer availability, independent distribution, warranty support, and responsible used-battery collection.

• Starting, lighting, and ignition batteries

  Automotive batteries

  Interstate’s principal product category consists of replacement batteries for passenger vehicles and other automotive applications. The company markets these products through independent distributors, dealers, parts retailers, repair businesses, and company-affiliated stores. Manufacturing is performed by outside suppliers, while Interstate provides branding, distribution, availability, and related customer support.

• Marine and recreational-vehicle batteries

  Marine and RV batteries

  These batteries serve boats, recreational vehicles, and related equipment. The category extends Interstate beyond conventional passenger-car replacement and addresses starting and auxiliary power needs in leisure and mobile applications.

• Powersports batteries

  Motorcycle batteries

  Interstate markets batteries for motorcycles and related powersports equipment through its distribution and dealer network. The line supports the company’s broader strategy of applying its battery sourcing and replacement infrastructure across multiple vehicle categories.

• Outdoor equipment batteries

  Lawn-and-garden batteries

  The lawn-and-garden range serves equipment such as riding mowers and other outdoor power products. It gives dealers an additional replacement-battery category and extends the brand into seasonal consumer and commercial equipment markets.

• Mobility, industrial, and specialty batteries

  Mobility and industrial batteries

  Interstate also markets batteries for mobility devices, industrial equipment, and other specialty uses. These products complement the company’s automotive business and rely on the same distributor-oriented model for product access, replacement support, and used-battery collection.

• 2018Universal Technical Institute training partnership

  United States

  Interstate partnered with Universal Technical Institute to supply batteries for hands-on automotive, diesel, and marine technology training.

  Outcome. The partnership placed Interstate products in technical classrooms and training workshops used by future service professionals.

  Source
• 2010NHRA Pro Stock sponsorship

  United States

  Interstate expanded its motorsports marketing by sponsoring NHRA Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards.

  Outcome. The sponsorship broadened Interstate’s racing presence beyond NASCAR.

  Source
• 1992Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR sponsorship

  United States

  Interstate became title sponsor of Joe Gibbs’s new Winston Cup team, using NASCAR visibility to associate the brand with performance, reliability, and American automotive culture.

  Outcome. The relationship continued across multiple drivers and was associated with the team’s 2000 Winston Cup championship.

  Source
• 1980Interstate Batteries Great American Race

  United States

  Interstate created a two-week cross-country rally for owners of vintage automobiles. The event connected the battery brand with car enthusiasts and became one of the company’s early large-scale experiential marketing programs.

  Outcome. The event ran for 13 years and helped lead to additional radio, television, and automotive sponsorship activity.

  Source

• 2023

  Transition to Lain Hancock as chief executiveOther

  Background

  After Scott Miller had served as president and chief executive officer since 2013, Interstate announced a change in its senior leadership structure.

  Action taken

  Lain Hancock became chief executive officer, while Scott Miller became executive chairman of the board.

  Aftermath

  The transition preserved Scott Miller’s board-level leadership while placing day-to-day executive leadership with Hancock.

  Source

• 2018

  Supply batteries for technical educationStrategy

  Background

  Interstate sought to connect its products with professional automotive, diesel, and marine service training.

  Action taken

  The company entered a partnership with Universal Technical Institute to supply batteries exclusively for specified training programs.

  Aftermath

  Students received hands-on experience with Interstate batteries in automotive, diesel, and marine technology curricula.

  Source

• 1992

  Use NASCAR as a national brand platformStrategy

  Background

  After years of expanding its distributor network and experimenting with automotive-oriented events and media, Interstate sought a highly visible national sponsorship platform.

  Action taken

  The company became title sponsor of Joe Gibbs’s new Winston Cup team.

  Aftermath

  The sponsorship became a defining part of Interstate’s public identity and was linked to a team that later won the 2000 Winston Cup Championship.

  Source

1. 1Interstate Batteriesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Interstate Batteries official websiteinterstatebatteries.com