Crown Battery has served the world’s power needs for a century, while keeping a steady focus on the customers and communities who power our purpose.
From our modest origins as a neighborhood repair shop to our role as a trusted global power provider, what started as one man’s American Dream has grown into an award-winning global powerhouse recognized for navigating industry shifts with revolutionary innovation and expert strategies for expansion, promoting economic and environmental well-being in the communities we serve with quality, integrity, and sustainability as our guides.
100 Years of Progress
Here’s a look at how our story has unfolded over the decades.
1926
William Koenig opens Fremont Battery, a small battery repair shop in Fremont, Ohio
1930s
Changes name to Crown Battery Manufacturing, a nod to the English translation of founder William Koenig’s German surname, meaning “king”
1947
Moves operation to North Fifth Street in Fremont, subsequently expanding seven times and adding distribution centers in several cities within 30 years
1955
Lee Koenig, son of William, takes over ownership of the company (until 1998), launches automotive battery production
1970s
Launches motive power production operations
1976
Moves operation to state-of-the-art headquarters/plant at Majestic Drive, subsequently expanding six times
1990s
Acquires Dynamo Battery to launch Crown Battery of Canada Ltd.
1998
Hal Hawk takes acquisition of the company
2004
Acquires CBC Battery of Montreal
2007
Acquires Reaco Battery in Southern Illinois
2007
Acquires C&D Technologies’ Motive Power Division and moves factory from Mexico to US
2014
Adds 69,000-volt substation to accommodate future power needs and launches AGM battery production
2017
Acquires and launches West Coast Operation via Industrial PowerSource
2017
Acquires Warehouse Energy Products (WEC)
2021
Earns US EPA Green Power Partner Certification, the first US battery manufacturer to achieve this by powering its plants with solar and wind energy
2024-2025
Launches Velocity™, Crown Battery’s first lithium battery product
2025
Expands factory by 55,000+ sq. ft. to facilitate automation, increase production and provide efficient storage and handling of materials
Committed to Community
Our success is rooted in the people and communities who power our mission. Giving back isn’t just a tradition—it’s a commitment woven into our identity. In 2024 alone, Crown Battery supported more than 180 local organizations, contributing over $1,000,000 to programs that strengthen families, schools, and charitable initiatives across our region. One of our largest contributions—over $500,000 to Sandusky County Communities Inc.—directly supported local families, education, and community events.
As one of the region’s largest employers, Crown Battery continues to invest in the communities that have supported us for a century—fueling opportunity, education, and shared prosperity for generations to come.
Crown Battery employees participating in a downtown Fremont parade.
The Burkett family at a Crown Battery holiday celebration. Brothers Jim and Mike are longtime Crown Battery employees.
A Crown Battery employee softball team, which participated in the Fremont Summer League for many years.
Donated batteries from Crown power shop class at Fremont Ross High School. Racing has long been a shared passion for Crown Battery and our community through Fremont Speedway. Each summer, Crown sponsors the track and hosts a "Night at the Races" event as a race—and racer— sponsor.
Crown teams up with Fremont EMS, Fire Department and Law Enforcement for training and safety drills.
Crown Battery President and CEO Hal Hawk speaks at an annual employee summer picnic complete with cookout and raffles.
Crown employees volunteer with the REACH program, visiting local 4th-grade classes each month to share insights into battery manufacturing through hands-on activities. Each session ties to a theme—for example, marketing month includes a branding lesson where students design their own gingerbread houses—and the program concludes with a year-end visit to Crown.
ROOTED IN SUSTAINABILITY
US EPA Green Power Partner
For 100 years now, Crown Battery has paired dependable power with responsible manufacturing. Today, we remain the nation’s only US EPA Green Power Partner–certified battery manufacturer, operating on 100% renewable energy.
Responsibility Through Recyclability
Our lead-acid FLA and AGM batteries are over 99% recyclable, supported by an industry-leading closed-loop system where components—including lead, plastics, separators, and acid—can be safely recovered and reused.
Reduced Environmental Footprint
With 39–90% lower manufacturing burdens compared to alternative chemistries, Crown Battery continues to deliver long-lasting performance with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.
HONORING A CENTURY. BUILDING THE NEXT.
A hundred years in, we’re grateful for the role our workforce and partnerships have played in our progress. Our focus now is on the future—with the core values that have shaped our past powering our next chapter.
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