The Electric Storage Battery Company, which would one day become Exide Technologies, was founded by W.W. Gibbs in 1888. Gibbs, an executive at a prominent Gas company, saw the potential of electricity as a source of lighting, and set out on his own. He purchased the patents of Clement Payen, a French inventor who advanced electrical storage, and began transforming those ideas into reliable commercial products.
A Rich History of Powering the World
W.W. Gibbs’ intuition was correct. Electrical storage was set to play a bigger role in society — far bigger than he originally imagined. As Automotive technology — and the energy storage capabilities it required — advanced, Exide evolved with it. Exide batteries were present when Commander Byrd established an American military base in Antarctica. Exide batteries powered wakeless torpedoes in World War II and stored the solar energy that charged NASA’s first lunar landing module. By 1987, the company’s product line was capable of powering practically every vehicle on American roads.
The Power of New
Exide Technologies’ former EMEA and Asia-Pacific business now operates as a standalone company under new owners. On October 27, 2020, the battery manufacturer announced the ‘closing of the deal’, successfully concluding its separation from the Exide Technologies Holdings in the US and the transfer of its entire business to a group of long-term shareholders, under the US-based Energy Technologies Holdings LLC.
W.W. Gibbs founds Exide's predecessor company, the Electric Storage Battery Company. After acquiring patents to make the storage battery a commercial product, the batteries were marketed towards electric fighting companies.
1898
Exide batteries provide the submerged power for the U.S. Navy's first modern commissioned submarine, the USS Holland (SS-1).
1900
As the new century dawned, electric taxicabs first appeared in many large cities. To power these cars, a lightweight and high-capacity product was developed.
1912
In an effort to eliminate dangerous hand-cranked engine starting, Cadillac becomes the first battery started internal combustion car. Exide batteries supplied power for lighting and ignition.
1924
Exide batteries take flight! U.S. Navy squadron planes rely on Exide stored energy technologies in flights across the globe.
1934
Exide powers Jeannette and Jean Piccard through a record-breaking high altitude balloon fligh over Lake Erie.
1941
"Battle Tested, Military Approved." Through WWII, Exide supplied submarine batteries to the U.S. Navy, in addition to other tank and fleet vehicles.
1957
Sonnenschein patents Dryfit Gel technology, bringing new reliability to stored energy.
1969
NASA's first lunar landing module used the stored energy of Exide's solar-recharged batteries. NASA took nickel-zinc Exide batteries to the moon on all of the Apollo space missions.
1973
Ahead of our time, Exide's Sundancer experimental car combines an 8-horsepower electric motor and 12 6-volt batteries.
1992
From yachts to jet skis... Free electrolyte and gel technology allow for the use of Exide batteries in various marine applications.
1994
Exide expands its battery business to Europe.
2000
Exide acquires Technologies, and enhances their North American market presence for automotive and industrial battery solutions.
2004
Exide Europe designs the first Start-Stop Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery in the market for a French car manufacturer.
2008
Exide Europe develops the first Enhanced Flooded Battery battery for Start-Stop cars and introduces the first generation of high vibration resistance (HVR®) truck battery technology to major truck manufacturers.
2010
Exide opens its Global Technology Center in Milton, Georgia to develop new materials, products and processes. The $4 million Technology Center joins existing facilities in Spain and Germany with the goal of expanding global Research, Design and Engineering activities for a brighter stored energy future.
2012
Exide launches their Edge AGM product line in the Americas as the first and only absorbed glass mat stored energy solution — providing lasting energy, maximum durability and a faster re-charge for premium performance.
2013
Exide Europe launches Li-Ion batteries for Motion applications are launched under the Sonnenschein Lithium brand.
2015
Exide opens new Motion R&D testing facility in Michigan, in order to develop advanced materials, products and processes to meet increasing global demand for energy storage solutions.
2016
Exide Technologies is awarded a $30.7 Million cost-sharing grant from the U.S. Government as part of the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Program. “Project Neptune” is officially launched at our Fort Smith, AR facility. As part of the project, the Fort Smith team will produce batteries to power U.S. Navy submarines.
2017
Exide opens a new plate manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Missouri. This facility is entirely dedicated to the production of Exide’s new life-extending LifeGrid™ Technology.
2018
Exide acquires Aker Wade Technologies, which designs and manufactures advanced charging systems for industrial forklifts. The addition of Aker Wade chargers to Exide’s Industrial Power battery portfolio will provide best-in-class total power solutions to the Motion industry.
2022
Exide’s Manzanares plant receives prestigious JLRQ award for supplier quality from our long-standing OEM customer Jaguar Land Rover
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