Who Owns Duracell?
Duracell is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, a publicly traded American multinational conglomerate holding company founded in 1839. Berkshire Hathaway acquired Duracell from Procter & Gamble in 2014. 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
2014
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Bethel, Connecticut, USA
Who Owns Duracell?
- Parent Company: Berkshire Hathaway
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2014
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: BRK.A
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Duracell | Berkshire Hathaway | Wholly owned |
History of Duracell
- Founded: 1924
- Founders: Samuel Ruben, Philip Rogers Mallory
- Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway: 2014
Duracell originated in 1924 through the partnership of scientist Samuel Ruben and businessman Philip Rogers Mallory, who met during the 1920s. The company was initially part of the P. R. Mallory Company of Burlington, Massachusetts, which specialized in electronic components.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Duracell developed and marketed the first commercially viable alkaline battery, which became the foundation of the company's success. The brand name "Duracell" was introduced in 1964, and the company became known for its long-lasting, reliable battery products.
In 1978, Duracell was acquired by Kraft Foods, which later merged with Philip Morris Companies. In 1989, Duracell was acquired by Gillette, bringing the battery company under the same ownership as other consumer products. In 2005, Procter & Gamble acquired Gillette, making Duracell part of P&G's extensive consumer goods portfolio.
In 2014, Berkshire Hathaway acquired Duracell from Procter & Gamble in a transaction where Berkshire exchanged its P&G shares for ownership of the Duracell business. This acquisition brought Duracell under Warren Buffett's direct ownership and management.
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 Duracell Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Bethel, Connecticut, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Global manufacturing facilities, International distribution network
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- See's Candies - American candy manufacturer and distributor known for its boxed chocolates, part...
Duracell Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Leading global battery brand with strong consumer recognition
- +Backed by Berkshire Hathaway's financial strength and long-term investment perspective
- +Established distribution network and retail presence worldwide
- +Strong brand loyalty and reputation for quality and reliability
- +Continuous innovation in battery technology and power solutions
- +Stable consumer demand for battery products across multiple applications
Considerations
- -Intense competition from other battery manufacturers including Energizer and private label brands
- -Market challenges from the rise of rechargeable batteries and alternative power sources
- -Dependency on consumer electronics market trends
- -Regulatory requirements for battery disposal and environmental compliance
- -Price competition in the battery market affecting profitability
- -Need to maintain technological innovation in battery chemistry and design
Frequently Asked Questions About Duracell
Where to Buy
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Duracell on AmazonCompetitors to Duracell
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Duracelloperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Berkshire Hathaway Stock Information
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