Berkshire Hathaway

American multinational conglomerate holding company led by Warren Buffett, owning diverse businesses across insurance, utilities, and manufacturing.

Company Type

public

Founded

1839

Headquarters

Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Stock

NYSE: BRK.A

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.

History of Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway traces its origins to 1839 with the founding of a textile manufacturing company by Oliver Chace in Valley Falls, Rhode Island. The company went through various mergers and acquisitions throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, eventually becoming Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates and later Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

The modern era began in 1962 when Warren Buffett began purchasing Berkshire Hathaway stock through his investment partnership. By 1965, Buffett had gained controlling interest and became chairman of the struggling textile company. Rather than continuing in textiles, Buffett transformed Berkshire into a holding company, using its cash flow to acquire other businesses.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Buffett acquired insurance companies, including GEICO in 1976, which became the foundation of Berkshire's insurance operations. The company expanded into various industries through strategic acquisitions, including See's Candies (1972), Buffalo News (1977), and many others. The 1990s and 2000s saw major acquisitions like BNSF Railway (2009) and Precision Castparts (2016), solidifying Berkshire's position as a diversified conglomerate.

Brands Owned by Berkshire Hathaway

View all 11 brands

Berkshire Hathaway owns 11 brands in our database. Showing featured brands below.

Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Owned by Berkshire Hathaway

American energy company operating regulated utilities and renewable energy businesses across multiple states, owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

energyutilitiesrenewable-energy

BNSF Railway

Owned by Berkshire Hathaway

American freight railroad company operating one of the largest rail networks in North America, transporting goods across 28 states and two Canadian provinces.

railroadfreight-transportlogistics

Borsheims Fine Jewelry

Owned by Berkshire Hathaway

American luxury jewelry retailer specializing in fine jewelry and watches, owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

jewelryluxurywatches

Clayton Homes

Owned by Berkshire Hathaway

American manufactured and modular housing company providing affordable housing solutions, owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

housingmanufactured-homesreal-estate

Dairy Queen

Owned by Berkshire Hathaway

American fast food chain specializing in soft serve ice cream, burgers, and other fast food items, known for its Blizzard treats and family-friendly atmosphere.

fast-foodice-creamsoft-serve

Duracell

Owned by Berkshire Hathaway

American battery brand known for alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries, and power solutions for consumer electronics and industrial applications.

batteriespower-solutionsconsumer-electronics

View all 11 brands owned by Berkshire Hathaway

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Borsheims Fine Jewelry on Amazon

Clayton Homes on Amazon

Duracell on Amazon

Stock Information

Berkshire Hathaway Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Diversified business model reducing reliance on any single industry
+Strong financial position with massive cash reserves and insurance float
+Proven long-term investment strategy under Warren Buffett's leadership
+Decentralized management structure empowering subsidiary leaders
+Brand recognition and trust built over decades of value creation

Considerations

-Succession planning and leadership transition challenges
-Size and complexity making rapid strategic changes difficult
-Regulatory scrutiny over insurance and utility operations
-Market volatility affecting investment portfolio value
-Balance between maintaining culture and adapting to new business environments

Frequently Asked Questions About Berkshire Hathaway

Is Berkshire Hathaway a subsidiary of another company?

Berkshire Hathaway is an independent, publicly traded corporation with no parent company. While Warren Buffett has been the controlling shareholder and chairman since 1965, the company operates independently with its own management structure and board of directors.

Is Berkshire Hathaway publicly traded?

Yes, Berkshire Hathaway is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BRK.A (Class A shares) and BRK.B (Class B shares). The company has been publicly traded since 1988, allowing investors to purchase shares and own a portion of the company.

When was Berkshire Hathaway founded?

Berkshire Hathaway was founded in 1839 as a textile manufacturing company. However, the modern Berkshire Hathaway began in 1965 when Warren Buffett gained controlling interest and transformed it into a holding company.

Who founded Berkshire Hathaway?

The original company was founded by Oliver Chace in 1839. However, Warren Buffett is credited with creating the modern Berkshire Hathaway through his transformation of the struggling textile company into a diversified holding company starting in 1965.

What is Berkshire Hathaway's market position?

Berkshire Hathaway is one of the largest companies in the world by market capitalization and revenue. The company maintains dominant positions in insurance (through GEICO), railroads (BNSF), and utilities, while holding significant equity investments in major public companies.

About Berkshire Hathaway

History of Berkshire Hathaway