Today, Interstate Batteries is a $1 billion privately held corporation. John Searcy started the business by selling batteries out of the back of his Studebaker truck in 1952. The company supplies batteries to national companies such as Firestone, Tires Plus, Tuffy, and 20 of the world's 24 largest automakers, Stan said. Interstate Batteries, based in Dallas, sells more than 15 million vehicle batteries a year, according to the company's website. Interstate Battery also sells “every battery for every need” to the public, including batteries for cell phones, laptop computers, keyless entry systems, smoke and burglar alarms, and other items. Until 1995, the local Interstate Battery, a wholesale distributor of Interstate Batteries, was mainly a distributor of car batteries and deep cycle marine, golf cart and wheelchair batteries, which all still make up the bulk of the company's sales, Stan said. Stan co-owns the business with his wife, Donna, who started working with him when they were dating. 10, however, Interstate Battery of North Central Florida Inc., which now has 12 employees, marked 30 years in business in its 10,000-square-foot facility in Northwood Commercial Park at 2442 NW 66th Court. “Unfortunately for me, living and working in an unheated warehouse with no running water or toilet facilities was a bit tough.” That winter was the coldest in the area in 30 years, he wrote by e-mail. Stan Land had no customers, no employees and trouble finding warehouse space in Gainesville in 1980.īut to start Interstate Battery of North Central Florida Inc., he finally found a cheap 1,000-square-foot facility where the landlord allowed him to scrap for materials and - for a few months - live in the warehouse.
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