Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) is a diversified holding company with businesses spanning insurance, freight transportation, utilities and energy, manufacturing, service businesses, and retail. Its operations are conducted through a portfolio of subsidiaries, allowing the company to generate revenue from a broad range of industries and geographic markets.
Insurance is one of Berkshire Hathaway’s core businesses and includes property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and specialty insurance operations, including GEICO. The company also owns BNSF Railway, one of the largest freight railroad systems in North America, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, which operates regulated electric and gas utilities, renewable energy projects, and related infrastructure.
Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses include manufacturers and distributors of industrial, building, and consumer products, as well as companies involved in housing, aviation services, food, apparel, home furnishings, and retail. Notable subsidiaries and brands include Precision Castparts, Lubrizol, Clayton Homes, NetJets, Duracell, Fruit of the Loom, Dairy Queen, See’s Candies, Benjamin Moore, and Brooks Sports. Berkshire’s operations primarily serve customers in the United States, with additional international activities.
The company traces its modern history to Warren Buffett’s acquisition and transformation of Berkshire Hathaway, originally a New England textile manufacturer, beginning in the 1960s. Buffett served for decades as chairman and chief executive officer, while Greg Abel was identified as his successor and has led Berkshire’s non-insurance operations. Berkshire is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
