Interstate Batteries
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.
1950
John Searcy begins selling automotive batteries out of the trunk of his Studebaker pickup.
1952
Searcy founds Interstate Battery System
1961
Interstate partners with Milwaukee-based national battery manufacturer Globe-Union Inc. and introduces the “Mr. Pro” battery label and comic icon
1963
The original Interstate Battery System logo
1976
1 million batteries sold in a single year
1978
Founder John Searcy retires, hands over the reins to Norm Miller
1980
Interstate introduces the lightning bolt logo
1983
Interstate creates The Great American Race, a two-week, cross-country vintage car race with $250K in prize money and a one-hour special on ESPN
1987
Alaska distributorship opens, putting Interstate in all 50 states
1989
Interstate goes global with its first distributorship in Canada
1989
Tommy Miller named president and CEO, Norm Miller remains Chairman of the Board
1990
Interstate becomes North America’s #1 replacement battery
1991
Interstate named title sponsor of NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR)
1993
First Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win for JGR and Interstate Batteries, the Daytona 500, at Daytona International Speedway
1994
100 millionth battery sold
1998
In the spirit of NASCAR, Interstate debuts a racing-inspired logo
1998
First Interstate All Battery Center opens to provide Every Battery for Every Need®
2000
JGR and Interstate’s NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte wins Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship
2003
Interstate enters the critical power market with PowerCare
200 millionth battery sold, only 9 years after reaching the 100 million battery mark
2004
Carlos Sepulveda named president and CEO
2006
Interstate launches new automotive product line with free-replacement warranties of 18, 24 and 30 months
2007
Auto techs name Interstate “Best Battery” in an independent survey by Frost & Sullivan
2009
Interstate wins Frost & Sullivan “Overall Best Brand of Automotive Batteries” award
Interstate Batteries named to Dallas Morning News’ Top 100 Best Places to Work for first time, ranking 13th
2010
One-month sales record is set at more than 1.5 million batteries
Dallas Morning News names Interstate one of the Top 100 Best Places to Work for the second time
2011
17 million batteries sold in a 12-month period
Dallas Morning News names Interstate one of the Top 100 Best Places to Work for the third time
2012
Interstate wins Frost & Sullivan “Overall Best Brand of Automotive Batteries” award for sixth straight year
Dallas Morning News names Interstate one of the Top 100 Best Places to Work, four years running
2013
Scott Miller becomes president and CEO
Dallas Morning News names Interstate one of the Top 100 Best Places to Work, five years running
2015
First battery sold in China
2015
JGR and Interstate’s NASCAR driver, Kyle Busch wins the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship for Interstate & M&M’s® MARS
2016
25th anniversary of JGR partnership, one of the longest-running alliances in professional sports
2017
Interstate sells a record 18 million batteries in a single year
TODAY
Interstate seeks to deliver the most trustworthy source of power to the world every day.
Our Culture
What Makes Us Inherently Us
At Interstate Batteries, we believe that our purpose and values make us who we are. Together, they create a unique fingerprint that identifies and separates us from other companies. With our values as a framework, we believe that profits will never drive our success the way our purpose can.
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Our Foundation of Values
Our Purpose
To glorify God and enrich lives as we deliver the most trustworthy source of power to the world.
We fulfill our purpose by doing business based on Biblical principles – such as honesty, humility, service, and care – in a way that is welcoming and loving to all. As a company contributor, you are free to interact with the purpose in whatever way is most meaningful to you. Our values, however, are unchanging, and we ask that our team members try their best to live them as they serve our key stakeholders: team members, customers, distributors and franchisees, suppliers and vendors, communities and shareholders. By creating a welcoming and caring environment, we hope to create a positive experience for our team members and everyone else whom Interstate touches, no matter their background or belief system.
Our Values
Our Purpose is why we exist. Our Values drive how we go about that existence and represent who we are.
Treats others like you want to be treated.
Lead with what people need.
Do great things with the gifts you’ve been given.
Learn, improve and boldly drive change that matters.
Work hard, laugh often.
Together, we’re better.
Be who you are and live up to your commitments.
Along with Interstate’s seven values, team members inspire and encourage each other by sharing aneighth value that’s as special and unique as every person’s fingerprint.
How It All Started
When John Searcy founded Interstate Batteries in 1952, his vision was for the company to help its team members, distributors and partners provide for their families and give back to their communities. Selling batteries was just a vehicle to accomplish a much broader goal. He wanted to make his company about something more than profits, to work in a way that would please God. John treated people as he would want to be treated and modeled this well to his whole team, including our Chairman Norm Miller. When Norm began to run the company in 1978, he held true to these ideals and within a number of years Norm included “to glorify God” in our mission statement. In 2013, we further defined our purpose and articulated a set of core values with input from all our key stakeholders.
In Case You’re wondering…
Do I have to be a Christian to work here?
No. Interstate hires and promotes team members based on their ability to fulfill their job duties in a way that aligns with our values – focusing on Love, Servant’s Heart, Excellence, Courage, Team, Fun and Integrity.
Will I fit in here? Our culture is welcoming and is respectful to team members with different perspectives, backgrounds, talents, and belief systems. If you’re ready to do great things with the gifts you’ve been given (as stated in our value of Excellence), and work hard and laugh often (as outlined in our value of Fun), then yes, you’ll fit right in.
How does it look on a daily basis? While there is a spiritual aspect to Interstate’s work environment, it is absolutely up to each team member whether or not they choose to participate in the optional activities.
- You may see prayer requests come to your email from the Chaplain’s Group.
- On occasion, there may be prayer before meals or some meetings.
- There is a Chaplain on staff who is available to help team members in need and to organize volunteer opportunities.
- Some lunches with speakers or studies may also be Biblically-based.
Miller Time
This is a quarterly gathering that provides an open forum for team members to meet and talk with our CEO Scott Miller.
Green Day
This is a celebration where all team members get together once a year for a state-of-the company address and to feel appreciated. Team Members of the Year are announced, prizes are awarded and overall, everyone has fun.
Battery Bowl
The annual Battery Bowl is a field day of friendly competition where all team members come together to play games and go head to head for the coveted Battery Bowl Trophy. The winning team gets to donate a lump sum of cash from our CEO to a charity of its choice.
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