Tropical Battery was founded in 1950 by Tex Williams, an American businessman. The first offices and factory were located at Hanover Street in the heart of downtown Kingston. In later years Tropical Battery would move its offices and factory to the Industrial Area at 14 Ashenheim Road, where Tropical Battery still retains its administrative offices and distribution centre today.

In 1967, the company was purchased by the Melville family. The original purchaser was the late John Melville. He was succeeded by his son, Brian Melville who managed the company until the time of his death in the late 1970’s. Daniel “Danny” Melville continued the work of his brother when he joined the company as Executive Chairman in 1978.

Tropical Battery was managed by a number of non-family members until 1994 when Danny’s eldest son, Marc, was appointed Managing Director. Initially Tropical Battery was a manufacturer and distributor of lead acid storage batteries. This continued until the early 1990’s when spiraling interest rates, changes in government policy, and increasing competition from overseas manufacturers forced the company to close its manufacturing operations and focus on being a battery retail and distribution company. This change was a difficult one but proved successful as in 2003, Tropical Battery recorded sales of batteries in excess of 100,000 units. This is a feat many battery distributors in much larger markets have not been able to accomplish.