About OSI
OSI Batteries is a factory-direct distributor of specialty batteries, chargers, and related products from top manufacturers in the industry. OSI has stood out from the competition for over 48 years by delivering professional battery solutions to businesses, medical organizations, and government agencies who rely on battery power to get their jobs done. We also develop and sell our own brand of quality aftermarket replacement batteries for two-way radios, UPS systems, emergency lighting, PLCs, barcode scanners, utility meters, and much more. OSI is your One Source in Batteries. We can help power your day, because we know batteries.
Battery Buying Made Easy!
OSI carries only the highest quality products and stand behind every order. We pride ourselves on providing a reliable, stress-free battery buying experience. Ordering is easy and convenient and can be done either by phone or email with our knowledgable sales staff, through our website or by submitting purchase orders directly. Check the CONTACT US page for all the ways to connect.
As a family-owned, small business backed by the scale of the largest battery manufacturers and a global supply chain network, we are committed to providing:
- Courteous and attentive customer service
- Expert advice on specialty products
- Highest quality replacement options
- Prompt shipment and consistent stock of high-demand items
- Competitive pricing to reduce costs and meet budgeting goals
Our history
1972
Paul Ohlin Sales, Inc
Paul Ohlin founded Paul Ohlin Sales, Inc. in 1972 and worked as an independent manufacturers sales representative for battery industry pioneers, including Eagle-Picher and Alexander Batteries. His natural charm and humor helped form lasting business relationships with clients and vendors that still continue to this day. Paul operated with the simple, but effective business philosophy of offering quality products and treating people right. This approach remains our core goal.
1991
Ohlin Sales, Inc
In the early 1990s, we incorporated as Ohlin Sales, Inc., and Paul’s son, Tom, joined the company. Tom helped to transition us from manufacturers representative to a top distributor for industry leading brands. As our battery applications and offerings expanded, we began doing business as OSI Batteries.
Late 1990s
OSI Batteries
As our battery applications and offerings expanded, we began doing business as OSI Batteries.
2000
Acquired Battery NetworkWe acquired Battery Network in 2000, which gave the company a presence on the West coast and also helped support our growing nationwide customer base. The acquisition also led to some key supply chain partnerships both domestically and abroad that allowed us to introduce our own line of private label aftermarket batteries for portable two-way radios, barcode scanners, and more.
early 2000s
Partnership with EnerSys
OSI Batteries has been an authorized distributor and value add center for EnerSys products since the early 2000s. EnerSys is the largest industrial battery manufacturer in the world and their reserve power batteries are marketed and sold principally under the PowerSafe, DataSafe, Hawker, Genesis, ODYSSEY and CYCLON brands. EnerSys battery products span a broad range of sizes, configurations and electrical capabilities, enabling us to meet a wide variety of customer applications.
2008
Partnership with Vision
OSI Batteries became a proud partner with the Vision Group in 2008. Vision is one of the largest Sealed Lead Acid Battery manufacturers in the world. Vision Batteries are designed for use in a variety of applications including alarm systems, emergency lighting systems, uninterruptible power supplies, medical equipment, and much more. Vision implements the ISO9001 quality system throughout all manufacturing processes. Checks are performed at multiple steps throughout the production process with 100% of the finished product being systematically performance tested prior to packaging and shipment.
2020
A new look for OSI
2020 brought a lot of changes to OSI. We launched a brand-new website and went through a rebranding process to refresh our logo to a more modern look. We also made a huge investment to upgrade our ERP / CRM systems by migrating all of our work onto a new platform that will allow us to better serve our customers.
2021
Acquired Unipower Corporation
We acquired Unipower in early 2021 and became the Master Distributor for all Unipower batteries, products, and accessories. After nearly thirty years of doing business together, we’re now able to combine the FDA-certified, custom order, in-house manufacturing capabilities of Unipower with our excellent sales and product expertise, and dependable distribution supply chain. Unipower is one of the top medical battery manufacturers in the industry, and their products are built to provide the power for life.
Our Manufacturing Capabilities
Battery Pack Design
Development
Assembly
Mass Production
Over 400 different SKUs are assembled at our Minnesota headquarters
Chemistries to match
any application
Technical Expertise
System Sizing
