Who Owns BNSF Railway?
BNSF Railway is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, a publicly traded American multinational conglomerate holding company founded in 1839. Berkshire Hathaway acquired BNSF in 2010 for $26.5 billion. Berkshire Hathaway is publicly traded on NYSE under tickers BRK.A and BRK.B and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Parent Company
Berkshire Hathaway
Acquired
2010
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Who Owns BNSF Railway?
- Parent Company: Berkshire Hathaway
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2010
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: BRK.A
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| BNSF Railway | Berkshire Hathaway | Wholly owned |
History of BNSF Railway
- Founded: 1995
- Founders: Merger of Burlington Northern Inc. and Santa Fe Pacific Corporation
- Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway: 2010
BNSF Railway was formed in 1995 through the merger of Burlington Northern Inc. and Santa Fe Pacific Corporation, creating one of the largest railroad companies in North America. The combined company brought together two historic railroads with rich dating back to the 19th century, including the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and the Burlington Northern Railroad.
Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, BNSF Railway continued to expand and modernize its operations, investing in infrastructure, technology, and equipment to improve efficiency and service. The company became a leader in intermodal transportation, moving containers between ships, trains, and trucks.
In 2010, Berkshire Hathaway announced its intention to acquire the remaining shares of BNSF Railway it didn't already own. The $26.5 billion acquisition was completed in 2010, making BNSF a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Under Berkshire's ownership, BNSF has continued to invest in its network and maintain its position as a critical component of North American freight transportation.
About Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway operates through a diverse portfolio of wholly-owned subsidiaries and significant equity investments. The company's primary business segments include insurance and reinsurance, railroads, utilities and energy, manufacturing, service and retailing, and finance and financial products.
The insurance operations, led by GEICO, Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group, and General Re, provide the company with substantial float that fuels investment activities. BNSF Railway operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America. Berkshire Hathaway Energy owns regulated utility companies across multiple states. The manufacturing segment includes industrial, building, and consumer products companies.
Berkshire employs approximately 380,000 people worldwide and generates annual revenues exceeding $300 billion. The company maintains a decentralized management structure, allowing subsidiary managers significant autonomy while providing capital allocation and oversight from headquarters.
- Founded: 1839
- Headquarters: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: BRK.A
Where Is BNSF Railway Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada, Rail network across 28 states
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BNSF Railway Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Largest freight railroad network in North America with extensive infrastructure
- +Backed by Berkshire Hathaway's financial strength and long-term investment perspective
- +Critical role in North American supply chain and transportation infrastructure
- +Stable and essential business with consistent demand for freight services
- +Strong operational efficiency and technological investments
- +Diverse customer base across multiple industries
Considerations
- -Capital-intensive business requiring significant ongoing investment
- -Regulatory oversight from multiple government agencies
- -Competition from other railroads and transportation modes
- -Economic sensitivity affecting freight volumes and pricing
- -Environmental and safety regulations impacting operations
- -Labor relations and union negotiations affecting workforce management
Frequently Asked Questions About BNSF Railway
Competitors to BNSF Railway
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because BNSF Railwayoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Berkshire Hathaway Stock Information
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