Clarios has been setting the standard for energy storage solutions for over 130 years.
Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls, began in 1885 with the founding of the Johnson Electric Service Company, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Over the next 100 years, the following leading brands were formed, ultimately becoming part of the Clarios family of brands. Explore our combined legacy.
Adolf Muller launches his company in Hagen, Germany that will pave the way for VARTA and in 1904 the VARTA name is born. Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls, invests for the future, acquiring VARTA in November 2002.
The leading battery brand in Mexico was born out of an experimental business started by Don Luis Terrazas Hernandez. Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls Power Solutions, acquired LTH in 2004.
Born in 1931, Heliar was the first lead-acid battery for electric motor vehicles in Brazil.
Ernesto Antonio and his brother Jose started Mejia Amaya y CIA LTDA in Colombia, and in 1968 they officially launched the MAC battery brand. In 2003, they signed a contract to become a Johnson Controls supplier, paving the way for its future as part of the Clarios family.
Two men working for the R&D department at Gates Rubber Company of Denver, Colorado, filed a patent for the world’s first AGM maintenance free lead-acid battery. It wasn’t until 1990 that Gates officially incorporated its successful battery business, creating OPTIMA. Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls Power Solutions, acquired OPTIMA in early 2000.
Delkor Co. Ltd was established as a joint venture with GM, the biggest automotive company in the US. In 2010, Delkor joined Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls Power Solutions, to become part of the world’s largest automotive battery enterprise.
Clarios has a 130+ year tradition of innovation and growth.
Today, we are the industry leader in smart energy storage solutions. Experts in battery applications and the systems that rely on them. And pioneer of the most efficient circular economy that exists. Tomorrow, we’ll evolve with our customers, in a marketplace that’s expanding. We are Clarios, and the road ahead is clear.
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