Brand History

Reshaping Battery Technology
for 40 years

With a 40-year history of technological innovation and engineering, OPTIMA® products offer unstoppable power for extreme enthusiasts and others who require THE ULTIMATE POWER SOURCE.TM OPTIMA batteries were the first high‐performance AGM automotive batteries in existence and revolutionized the industry with the unique SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY®. Look for the distinctive OPTIMA SIX PACKTM shape to get THE ULTIMATE POWER SOURCE every day, everywhere.

Take a look at some of our major milestones in the timeline below.

 

1972

Started on May 30, 1972

On May 30, 1972, Donald H. McClelland and John L. Devitt file a patent claim for a maintenance-free type lead-acid battery.

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1973

First Sealed Lead-Acid Battery for Commercial and Military

Gates Rubber Company in Denver, Colorado, began work on developing the first sealed lead-acid battery to be used for commercial and military applications. The SPIRALCELL  design was the result.

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1975

Patent issued & assigned to Gates Rubber Company

On January 2, 1975, a patent is issued and assigned to Gates Rubber Company.

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1984

SLI Battery Project Team Established

In 1984, the Gates Rubber Company establishes an SLI (starting, lighting, ignition) battery project team.  The main customers were commercial and military applications. Proven success migrated the technology to be used in automobiles, trucks and the marine market.

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1987

Production Begins

Gates make limited production of OPTIMA batteries, the first automotive AGM battery.

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1990

OPTIMA Batteries, Inc. Division created

Gates Rubber Company officially incorporates the division as OPTIMA Batteries, Inc. Gylling Teledata A/S of Norway begins limited importation and distribution of OPTIMA batteries. Soon after, Gylling seeks and obtains distribution rights for all of Scandinavia. Manufacturing processes were enhanced, performance improved and the distribution base increased, making OPTIMA the most widely-distributed name brand battery in the world.

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1991

Gates Divests itself of OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.

Due to limited discovery by the public, Gates decides to divest itself of OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.

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1992

Gylling Group Acquires OPTIMA Batteries, Inc

The Gylling Group of Scandinavia purchases OPTIMA Batteries, Inc. from Gates.

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1993

Demand Increases

Public demand for the OPTIMA battery begins to rapidly increase.

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1994

Ground Broken for New Facility

OPTIMA Batteries, Inc. breaks ground for a new, larger, modern manufacturing facility northeast of Denver, Colorado.

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2000

Johnson Controls acquires OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.

Johnson Controls acquires OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.

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2004

OPTIMA and the Ford GT

OPTIMA becomes the OE battery for Ford GT vehicles.

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2007

Ground Broken for New Production Facility

Ground is broken on new production facility.

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2011

OPTIMA® Batteries Introduces New Product, Toyota® Prius Battery Replacement

OPTIMA® Batteries now offers a direct fit replacement for the 2004 and newer Toyota Prius®. This new 12-volt AGM battery is the first OPTIMA product to provide a direct fit replacement for the Toyota Prius. The Toyota Prius community, that has had limited battery replacement options in the past, will clearly benefit from this new product.

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2019

Clarios

Johnson Controls Power Solutions separates from Johnson Controls International, LLC. to become its own entity, Clarios.

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