Hanes Hosiery Mills Company of Winston-Salem issued a purchase order on January 7, 1966, for an industrial battery, with charger. This was the first industrial battery/charger combination that we had ever sold. The battery was a DB6-13-72 and sold for $435. The charger, a used Berg-Gibson model J65B, sold for $137. With the confidence of that purchase, space was designated in the automotive factory for the exclusive use of industrial manufacturing.

In November 1972, Gallins Vending Company ordered a DB6-11-72 for use in their equipment servicing R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The battery was delivered to RJR Building 91-2, attention Mr. Don Angel. From that point we began to grow and had the confidence to invest in the structure that eventually became our industrial manufacturing plant.

With our exit from the automotive battery business in December 2004, our attention was turned to the industrial side of our business. The industrial battery business has seen steady growth through the leadership of Bob Grace, vice president of industrial sales and marketing, and his team. This business is divided into two separate segments – motive power and reserve power. We serve industries throughout the contiguous forty-eight states, with some offshore shipments. We are fortunate today to list many of the top one thousand companies among our accounts.

With G. Wilson Douglas, Jr’s retirement in 2005, Thomas S. Douglas, III, along with his two sons, Charles and Walker, and his brother, James, continues the traditions started in 1921. Everyone at Douglas Battery works hard to build the company in a sound fashion, and we believe that the best way for us to grow is to offer our customers the best value for their dollar.