Berkshire Hathaway Inc Stock

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire), through its subsidiaries, engages in various business activities, including insurance and reinsurance, freight rail transportation, utilities and energy, manufacturing, service and retailing.

The most important of the company's business are insurance businesses conducted on both a primary basis and a reinsurance basis, a freight rail transportation business and a group of utility and energy generation and distribution businesses. Berkshire also owns and operates numerous other businesses engaged in a variety of manufacturing, services, retailing and other activities. Berkshire's operating businesses are managed on an unusually decentralized basis.

Insurance and Reinsurance Businesses

Berkshire's insurance and reinsurance business activities are conducted through numerous domestic and foreign-based insurance subsidiaries. Berkshire's insurance subsidiaries provide insurance and reinsurance of property and casualty risks, as well as life and health risks worldwide.

Insurers based in the U.S. are subject to regulation by their states of domicile and by those states in which they are licensed to write policies on an admitted basis. The primary focus of state regulation is to monitor financial solvency of insurers and otherwise protect policyholder interests. States establish minimum capital levels for insurance companies and establish guidelines for permissible business and investment activities and have the authority to suspend or revoke a company's authority to do business. States regulate the payment of shareholder dividends by insurance companies and other transactions with affiliates.

Berkshire's non-U.S. insurance operations are conducted through subsidiaries and branches of subsidiaries. Berkshire insurance subsidiaries are located in several countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland, Luxembourg, Australia and South Africa, and also maintain branches in several other countries. Most of these foreign jurisdictions impose local capital requirements. Other legal requirements involve discretionary licensing procedures, local retention of funds and records, and data privacy and protection programs. Berkshire's international insurance companies are also subject to multinational application of certain U.S. laws.

Berkshire's insurance underwriting operations include the following groups: GEICO, Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group and Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group. Alleghany Corporation (Alleghany), based in New York, New York, was acquired by Berkshire in 2022. Alleghany's operating subsidiaries include property and casualty reinsurance and insurance, as well as a portfolio of non-insurance businesses. Alleghany's primary insurance businesses are included in the Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group and its reinsurance businesses are included in the Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group. Alleghany's non-insurance businesses are included in the manufacturing and services segments.

GEICO-GEICO's insurance subsidiaries are led by Government Employees Insurance Company and include several other GEICO insurance entities. The GEICO insurance companies offer private passenger automobile insurance to individuals in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and also offer insurance for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats and small commercial fleets. Marketing is primarily through direct response methods in which applications for insurance are submitted directly to the companies via the Internet or by telephone, and to a lesser extent, through captive agents. GEICO also operates as an insurance agency for other insurance carriers that offer homeowners, renters, condominium, life and identity protection insurance to individuals desiring insurance coverages other than those offered by GEICO insurance entities.

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group-The Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group (BH Primary) is a collection of independently managed insurers that provide a wide variety of insurance coverages to policyholders located principally in the U.S.

National Indemnity Company (NICO), domiciled in Nebraska, and certain affiliates (NICO Primary) underwrite commercial automobile and general liability insurance on an admitted basis and on an excess and surplus basis. Insurance coverage is offered nationwide primarily through insurance agents and brokers.

The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) are a group of insurers offering workers' compensation, commercial automobile and commercial property coverages to a diverse client base. BHHC has a national reach, with the ability to provide first-dollar and small to large deductible workers' compensation coverage to employers in all states, except those where coverage is available only through state-operated workers' compensation funds. NICO Primary and BHHC are each based in Omaha, Nebraska.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSI) offers commercial property and casualty, executive and professional, and various other insurance coverages through BHSI and other Berkshire insurance affiliates. BHSI writes primary and excess policies on an admitted and non-admitted basis in the U.S., and on a local or foreign non-admitted basis outside the U.S. BHSI is based in Boston, Massachusetts, with other regional offices in the U.S. BHSI also maintains international offices and branches in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and across several other countries in Asia and Europe. BHSI writes business through wholesale and retail insurance brokers, as well as managing general agents.

Alleghany's property and casualty insurance business is conducted in the U.S. on both an admitted and non-admitted basis through RSUI Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (RSUI) and CapSpecialty, Inc. and its subsidiaries (CapSpecialty). RSUI and CapSpecialty primarily write specialty insurance in the property, umbrella/excess liability, professional liability, directors' and officers' liability and general liability lines of business. Insurance is written through independent wholesale insurance brokers, retail agents and managing general agents.

MedPro Group (MedPro) is a leading provider of healthcare liability (HCL) insurance. MedPro provides customized HCL insurance, claims, patient safety and risk solutions to physicians, surgeons, dentists and other healthcare professionals, as well as hospitals, senior care and other healthcare facilities. Additionally, MedPro provides HCL insurance solutions to international markets through other Berkshire insurance affiliates, delivers liability insurance to other professionals, and offers specialized accident and health insurance solutions to colleges and other customers through its subsidiaries and other Berkshire insurance affiliates.

U.S. Liability Insurance Company (USLI) includes a group of five specialty insurers that underwrite commercial, professional and personal lines of insurance on an admitted basis, as well as on an excess and surplus basis. USLI markets policies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada through wholesale and retail insurance agents. USLI companies also underwrite and market a wide variety of specialty insurance products. USLI is based in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies (GUARD) is a group of five insurance companies that provide a full suite of commercial insurance products, as well as homeowners policies to over 450,000 small to mid-sized businesses and homeowners. These offerings are made through independent agents and retail and wholesale brokers. GUARD is based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company and its affiliates (BH Direct) offer commercial insurance products (including workers' compensation, property, auto, general and professional liability) to small business customers. BH Direct's products are primarily sold through two internet-based distribution platforms, biBERK.com and Threeinsurance.com. BH Direct writes policies on an admitted basis and is based in Stamford, Connecticut. MLMIC Insurance Company (MLMIC) writes medical professional liability insurance policies in New York State through brokers and on a direct basis to medical and dental professionals, health care providers and hospitals.

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group-Berkshire's combined global reinsurance business, referred to as the Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (BHRG), offers a wide range of coverages on property, casualty, life and health risks to insurers and reinsurers worldwide. BHRG conducts business activities in 26 countries. Reinsurance business is written through NICO and affiliates (NICO Group), General Re Corporation and its subsidiaries (General Re Group) and Transatlantic Reinsurance Company and affiliates (TransRe Group). The NICO Group and General Re Group underwriting operations in the U.S.

Property/casualty

The NICO Group offers traditional property/casualty reinsurance on both an excess-of-loss and a quota-share basis, catastrophe excess-of-loss treaty and facultative reinsurance, and primary insurance on an excess-of-loss basis for large or unusual risks. The type and volume of business written by the NICO Group may vary significantly from period to period resulting from changes in perceived premium rate adequacy and from unique or large transactions. For the past several years, a significant portion of NICO Group's annual reinsurance premium derived from a 20% quota-share agreement with Insurance Australia Group Limited (IAG). This quota-share agreement was renewed and extended effective January 1, 2023, with an expiration of December 31, 2029. IAG is a multi-line insurer in Australia, New Zealand and other Asia-Pacific countries.

The General Re Group includes a global property and casualty reinsurance business. Reinsurance contracts are written on both a quota-share and excess basis for multiple lines of business. Contracts are primarily in the form of treaties, and to a lesser degree, on a facultative basis. The General Re Group conducts business in North America, primarily marketed on a direct basis through General Reinsurance Corporation (GRC), which is licensed in the District of Columbia and all states, except Hawaii, where it is an accredited reinsurer. GRC also conducts operations in North America through numerous branch offices in the U.S. and Canada.

In North America, the General Re Group includes General Star National Insurance Company, General Star Indemnity Company and Genesis Insurance Company, which offer a broad array of specialty and surplus lines and property, casualty and professional liability coverages. These companies offer solutions for the unique needs of public entity, commercial and captive customers and their business is marketed through a select group of wholesale brokers, managing general underwriters and program administrators.

The General Re Group's international reinsurance business is primarily written on a direct basis through General Reinsurance AG, based in Cologne, Germany, and subsidiaries and branches in numerous other countries, as well as through brokers, including Faraday Underwriting Limited (Faraday), a subsidiary. Faraday owns the managing agent of Syndicate 435 at Lloyd's of London and provides capacity and participates in 100% of the results of Syndicate 435.

The TransRe Group provides pro-rata and excess-of-loss reinsurance across various property and casualty lines of business. Contracts are written on both a treaty and facultative basis to insurance and other reinsurance companies in the U.S. and in foreign markets through subsidiaries and branches in numerous countries. Business is written primarily through brokers, and to a lesser extent on a direct basis.

Life/health

The General Re Group also conducts a global life and health reinsurance business. In 2023, net premiums written were primarily in the Asia-Pacific, U.S. and Western Europe regions. The General Re Group underwrites life, disability, supplemental health, critical illness and long-term care risks on a direct basis.

Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska (BHLN) and its affiliates write reinsurance covering various forms of traditional life insurance exposures several years ago. BHLN and affiliates also reinsure certain guaranteed minimum death, income and similar risks on closed-blocks of variable annuity risks, which are in run-off.

Retroactive reinsurance

Retroactive reinsurance contracts indemnify ceding companies for adverse development of claims arising from loss events that have already occurred under property and casualty policies issued in prior years. Coverage under such contracts is provided on an excess basis (above a stated retention) or for losses payable after the inception of the contract with no additional ceding company retention. Contracts are normally subject to aggregate limits of indemnification, which can be exceptionally large in amount. Significant amounts of asbestos, environmental and latent injury claims may arise under these contracts.

Periodic Payment Annuity

BHLN writes periodic payment annuity insurance policies and reinsures annuity-like obligations. Under these policies, BHLN receives upfront consideration and agrees in the future to make periodic payments that often extend for decades. BHLN significantly curtailed its periodic payment annuity business in 2023 in response to changing economic and market conditions.

Investments of insurance businesses-Berkshire's insurance subsidiaries hold significant levels of invested assets. Investments include a very large portfolio of publicly traded equity securities, which are unusually concentrated in relatively few companies, as well as fixed maturity securities and short-term investments.

Railroad Business-Burlington Northern Santa Fe

Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (BNSF), through BNSF Railway Company (BNSF Railway), operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America.

In serving the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Western, Southwestern and Southeastern regions and certain ports of the U.S., BNSF Railway transports a range of products and commodities derived from manufacturing, agricultural and natural resource industries. Freight revenues are covered by contractual agreements of varying durations or common carrier published prices or company quotations. BNSF's financial performance is influenced by, among other things, general and industry economic conditions at the international, national and regional levels.

BNSF Railway's primary routes, including trackage rights, allow it to access major cities and certain ports in the western and southern U.S. as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. In addition to major cities and ports, BNSF Railway efficiently serves many smaller markets by working closely with approximately 200 shortline railroads. BNSF Railway has also entered into marketing agreements with other rail carriers, expanding the marketing reach for each railroad and their customers. For the year ending December 31, 2023, 34% of freight revenues were derived from consumer products, 25% from industrial products, 24% from agricultural products and 17% from coal.

Regulatory Matters

BNSF is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations generally applicable to its businesses. Rail operations are subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the Federal Railroad Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other federal and state regulatory agencies and Canadian regulatory agencies for operations in Canada.

The DOT, OSHA and EPA have jurisdiction under several federal statutes over a number of safety, health, and environmental aspects of rail operations, including the transportation of hazardous materials. BNSF Railway is required to transport these materials to the extent of its common carrier obligation.

Environmental Matters

Many of BNSF's land holdings are or have been used for industrial or transportation-related purposes or leased to commercial or industrial companies whose activities may have resulted in discharges onto the property. Under federal statutes (in particular, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act) and state statutes, BNSF may be held jointly and severally liable for cleanup and enforcement costs associated with a particular site without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct.

Competition

BNSF Railway's primary rail competitor in the Western region of the U.S. is the Union Pacific Railroad Company. Other Class I railroads and numerous regional railroads and motor carriers also operate in parts of the same territories served by BNSF Railway.

Utilities and Energy Businesses

Berkshire's energy businesses include a 92% ownership interest in Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (BHE), based in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2017, Berkshire acquired a 38.6% interest in Pilot Travel Centers, LLC (PTC), which is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. PTC became a subsidiary in Berkshire's Consolidated Financial Statements beginning February 1, 2023. On January 16, 2024, Berkshire acquired an additional 20% interest in PTC and as of that date PTC became an indirect wholly-owned Berkshire subsidiary. PTC's business activities are primarily associated with fuel distribution and energy products and services.

Berkshire Hathaway Energy

BHE is a global energy company with subsidiaries and affiliates that generate, transmit, store, distribute and supply energy. BHE's domestic regulated energy interests consists of four regulated U.S. utility companies (collectively, U.S. utilities) serving approximately 5.3 million retail customers and five U.S. interstate natural gas pipeline companies with approximately 21,000 miles of operated pipeline having a design capacity of approximately 21 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. Other energy businesses include electric transmission and distribution operations in Great Britain and Canada, a diversified portfolio of mostly renewable independent power projects and investments, and a liquefied natural gas export, import and storage facility. BHE also owns a residential real estate brokerage firm in the U.S. and a large network of residential real estate brokerage franchises in the U.S.

General Matters

BHE's U.S. utilities include PacifiCorp, MidAmerican Energy Company (MEC) and NV Energy, Inc.'s (NV Energy) two regulated utility subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company (Nevada Power) and Sierra Pacific Power Company (Sierra Pacific). PacifiCorp is a regulated electric utility company headquartered in Oregon, serving electric customers in portions of Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California. The combined service territory's diverse regional economy ranges from rural, agricultural and mining areas to urban, manufacturing and government service centers. In addition to retail sales, PacifiCorp buys and sells electricity on a wholesale basis.

MEC is a regulated electric and natural gas utility company headquartered in Iowa, serving electric and natural gas customers primarily in Iowa and also in portions of Illinois, South Dakota and Nebraska. MEC's diverse retail customer base operates in the electronic data storage, agricultural, manufacturing and government service centers industries. In addition to retail sales and natural gas transportation, MEC sells electricity and natural gas on a wholesale basis.

Nevada Power serves retail electric customers in southern Nevada and Sierra Pacific serves retail electric and natural gas customers in northern Nevada. The combined Nevada Power/Sierra Pacific service territory economy includes retail customers in the gaming, mining, recreation, warehousing, manufacturing and governmental service centers sectors. In addition to retail sales and natural gas transportation, these utilities buy and sell electricity and natural gas on a wholesale basis.

As vertically integrated utilities, BHE's U.S. utilities collectively own approximately 30,100 net megawatts of generation capacity in operation and under construction. The U.S. utilities' business is subject to seasonal variations principally related to the use of electricity for air conditioning and natural gas for heating. Typically, regulated electric revenues are higher in the summer months, while regulated natural gas revenues are higher in the winter months.

The natural gas pipelines consist of BHE GT&S, LLC (BHE GT&S), Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern Natural) and Kern River Gas Transmission Company (Kern River). BHE GT&S was acquired on November 1, 2020.

BHE GT&S, based in Virginia, operates three interstate natural gas pipeline systems that consist of approximately 5,400 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipelines and operates seventeen underground natural gas storage fields in the eastern region of the U.S. BHE GT&S's large underground natural gas storage assets and pipeline systems are part of an interconnected gas transmission network that provides transportation services to utilities and numerous other customers. BHE GT&S is also an industry leader in liquefied natural gas solutions through its investments in and ownership of several liquefied natural gas facilities located throughout the eastern region of the U.S.

Northern Natural, based in Nebraska, operates the largest interstate natural gas pipeline system in the U.S., as measured by pipeline miles, reaching from west Texas to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Northern Natural's pipeline system consists of approximately 14,200 miles of natural gas pipelines. Northern Natural's extensive pipeline system, which is interconnected with many interstate and intrastate pipelines in the national grid system, has access to supplies from multiple major supply basins and provides transportation services to utilities and numerous other customers. Northern Natural also operates three underground natural gas storage facilities and two liquefied natural gas storage peaking units. Northern Natural's pipeline system experiences significant seasonal swings in demand and revenue, with the highest demand typically occurring during the months of November through March.

Kern River, based in Utah, operates an interstate natural gas pipeline system that consists of approximately 1,400 miles and extends from supply areas in the Rocky Mountains to consuming markets in Utah, Nevada and California. Kern River transports natural gas for electric and natural gas distribution utilities, major oil and natural gas companies or affiliates of such companies, electric generating companies, energy marketing and trading companies, and financial institutions.

Other energy businesses include Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc and Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc, which own a substantial electricity distribution network that delivers electricity to end-users in northeast England in an area covering approximately 10,000 square miles. These distribution companies primarily charge supply companies regulated tariffs for the use of their distribution systems and serve about 4.0 million electricity end-users. AltaLink L.P. (AltaLink) is a regulated electric transmission-only utility company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. AltaLink's high voltage transmission lines and related facilities transmit electricity from generating facilities to major load centers, cities and large industrial plants throughout its 87,000 square mile service territory. AltaLink serves approximately 85% of Alberta's population. BHE and its subsidiaries, also own interests in independent power projects having approximately 5,900 net megawatts of generation capacity that are in service in California, Texas, Illinois, Nebraska, Montana, Australia, New York, Arizona, Canada, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa and Hawaii. These independent power projects sell power generated primarily from wind, solar, geothermal and hydro sources under long-term contracts.

Regulatory Matters

AltaLink is regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), pursuant to the Electric Utilities Act (Alberta), the Public Utilities Act (Alberta), the Alberta Utilities Commission Act (Alberta) and the Hydro and Electric Energy Act (Alberta). The AUC is an independent quasi-judicial agency, which regulates and oversees Alberta's electricity transmission sector with broad authority that may impact many of AltaLink's activities, including its tariffs, rates, construction, operations and financing. Under the Electric Utilities Act, AltaLink prepares and files applications with the AUC for approval of tariffs to be paid by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) for the use of its transmission facilities, and the terms and conditions governing the use of those facilities. The AESO is an independent system operator in Alberta, Canada that oversees Alberta's integrated electrical system (AIES) and wholesale electricity market. The AESO is responsible for directing the safe, reliable and economic operation of the AIES, including long-term transmission system planning.

The natural gas pipeline and storage operations of BHE GT&S, Northern Natural and Kern River are regulated by the FERC pursuant to the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. Under this authority, the FERC regulates, among other items, rates, charges, terms and conditions of service; the construction and operation of interstate pipelines, storage and related facilities, including the extension, expansion or abandonment of such facilities; and the construction and operation of liquefied natural gas export/import facilities. Interstate natural gas pipeline companies are also subject to regulations administered by the Office of Pipeline Safety within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, an agency of the DOT. Federal pipeline safety regulations are issued pursuant to the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, as amended, which establishes safety requirements in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of interstate natural gas pipeline facilities.

Environmental Matters

BHE and its energy businesses are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact current and future operations. In addition to imposing continuing compliance obligations, these laws and regulations, such as the Federal Clean Air Act, provide regulators with the authority to levy substantial penalties for noncompliance, including fines, injunctive relief and other sanctions.

Non-Energy Businesses

HomeServices of America, Inc. (HomeServices) is a residential real estate brokerage firm in the U.S. In addition to providing traditional residential real estate brokerage services, HomeServices offers other integrated real estate services, including mortgage originations and mortgage banking, title and closing services, insurance, home warranties, relocation services and other home-related services. It operates under 50 brand names with approximately 41,000 real estate agents in nearly 900 brokerage offices in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

HomeServices' franchise network includes approximately 300 franchisees and over 1,500 brokerage offices with nearly 48,000 real estate agents under two brand names, primarily in the U.S. In exchange for certain fees, HomeServices provides the right to use the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices or Real Living brand names and other related service marks, as well as providing orientation programs, training and consultation services, advertising programs and other services.

HomeServices' principal sources of revenue are dependent on residential real estate transaction volumes, which are generally higher in the second and third quarters of each year (year ended December 31, 2023).

Pilot Travel Centers (PTC)

PTC operates travel center and fuel-only retail locations across 44 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, primarily under the names Pilot or Flying J, as well as large wholesale fuel and fuel marketing businesses in the U.S. PTC also sells diesel fuel at retail locations in the U.S. and Canada through various arrangements with third party travel centers. PTC sold over 16 billion gallons of fuel (primarily diesel and gasoline) in 2023 on a retail and wholesale basis, including 1.3 billion gallons of low carbon fuels and 325 million gallons of diesel exhaust fluid.

During 2023, PTC opened charging stations at travel centers in connection with an agreement with General Motors to develop a nationwide electric vehicle fast charger network of 2,000 charging stations in U.S. locations by 2026. PTC also signed a letter of intent with Volvo during 2022 to develop a nationwide public charging network to support the expansion of battery-powered electric trucks.

PTC's travel centers are generally located close to an interstate highway and offer petroleum products, merchandise, food, and other services and amenities to consumers, travelers and professional truck drivers. The travel center industry is concentrated among a few large operators, including Love's Travel Stops and TravelCenters of America, although there are numerous independent operators that operate travel centers. PTC's top 10 customers for diesel sales at its travel centers and dealers account for less than 15% of total diesel gallons sold, while PTC's top 10 fuel suppliers account for less than 50% of gallons purchased. PTC retail operations also sell diesel fuel through agreements with third party travel centers where PTC procures and sells diesel fuel at the locations owned by the third parties. PTC also operates a water disposal business in the oil fields sector.

Manufacturing Businesses

Berkshire's numerous and diverse manufacturing subsidiaries are grouped into three categories: industrial products, building products and consumer products. Berkshire's industrial products businesses manufacture components for aerospace and power generation applications, specialty chemicals, metal cutting tools, and a variety of other products primarily for industrial use. The building products group produces prefabricated and site-built residential homes, flooring products, insulation, roofing and engineered products, building and engineered components, paint and coatings and bricks and masonry products. The consumer products group manufactures and/or distributes recreational vehicles, batteries, and various apparel, footwear and other products. Information concerning the major activities of these three groups follows.

Industrial products

Precision Castparts

Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC) manufactures complex metal components and products, provides high-quality investment castings, forgings, fasteners/fastener systems and aerostructures for critical aerospace and power and energy applications. PCC also manufactures investment castings and forgings for general industrial, armament, medical and other applications; nickel and titanium alloys in all standard mill forms from large ingots and billets to plate, foil, sheet, strip, tubing, bar, rod, extruded shapes, rod-in-coil, wire and welding consumables, as well as cobalt alloys, for the aerospace, chemical processing, oil and gas, pollution control and other industries; fasteners for automotive and general industrial markets; specialty alloys for the investment casting and forging industries; heat treating and destructive testing services for the investment cast products and forging industries; grinder pumps and affiliated components for low-pressure sewer systems; critical auxiliary equipment and gas monitoring systems for the power generation industry; and metalworking tools for the fastener market and other applications.

Investment casting technology involves a multi-step process that uses ceramic molds in the manufacture of metal components with more complex shapes, closer tolerances and finer surface finishes than parts manufactured using other methods. PCC uses this process to manufacture products for aircraft engines, industrial gas turbine and other aeroderivative engines, airframes, medical implants, armament, unmanned aerial vehicles and other industrial applications. PCC also manufactures high temperature carbon and ceramic composite components, including ceramic matrix composites, for use in next-generation aerospace engines.

PCC uses forging processes to manufacture components for the aerospace and power generation markets. PCC manufactures high-performance, nickel-based alloys, as well as titanium alloys and products. PCC's nickel-based alloys are used to produce forged components and investment castings for aerospace and non-aerospace applications in such markets as oil and gas, chemical processing and pollution control. PCC's titanium products are used to manufacture components for the commercial and military aerospace, power generation, energy, medical, and industrial end markets.

PCC is also a leading developer and manufacturer of highly engineered fasteners, fastener systems, aerostructures and precision components, primarily for critical aerospace applications. These products are produced for the aerospace and power and energy markets, as well as for construction, automotive, heavy truck, farm machinery, mining and construction equipment, shipbuilding, machine tools, medical equipment, appliances and recreation markets.

PCC has several significant customers, including aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) (Boeing and Airbus) and aircraft engine manufacturer suppliers (General Electric, Rolls Royce and Pratt &Whitney). The majority of PCC's sales are from customer orders or demand schedules pursuant to long-term agreements. Contractual terms may provide for termination by the customer, subject to payment for work performed. PCC is a leading supplier in most of its principal markets.

Lubrizol

The Lubrizol Corporation (Lubrizol) is a specialty chemical and performance materials company that manufactures products and supplies technologies for the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. Lubrizol operates two business segments: Lubrizol Additives, which produces engine lubricant additives, driveline lubricant additives and industrial specialties products; and Lubrizol Advanced Materials, which includes engineered materials (engineered polymers and performance coatings) and life sciences (beauty and personal care, and health and home care solutions).

Lubrizol Additives' products are used in a broad range of applications including engine oils, transmission fluids, gear oils, specialty driveline lubricants, fuels, metalworking fluids and compressor lubricants for transportation and industrial applications. Lubrizol Advanced Materials' products are used in many different types of applications including beauty, personal care, home care, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, medical devices, performance coatings, sporting goods, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems. Lubrizol is an industry leader in many of the markets in which it competes, and its principal lubricant additives competitors are Infineum International Ltd., Chevron Oronite Company and Afton Chemical Corporation. Lubrizol Advanced Materials' businesses compete in many markets with a variety of competitors in each product line.

With its considerable patent portfolio, Lubrizol uses its technological leadership position and applies its scientific capabilities, formulation know-how and market expertise in product development to improve the demand, quality and value of its solutions. Lubrizol also leverages its scientific and applications knowledge to meet and exceed customer performance and sustainability requirements. While Lubrizol typically has patents that expire each year, it invests resources to protect its intellectual property and to develop or acquire innovative products for the markets it serves. Lubrizol uses many specialty and commodity chemical raw materials in its manufacturing processes.

Lubrizol operates its business on a global basis through more than 100 offices, laboratories, production facilities and warehouses on six continents, the most significant of which are North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Lubrizol markets its products worldwide through direct sales, sales agents and distributors. Lubrizol's customers principally consist of major global and regional oil companies and industrial and consumer products companies. Some of Lubrizol's largest customers also may be suppliers. During 2023, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of Lubrizol's consolidated revenues.

IMC International Metalworking Companies

IMC International Metalworking Companies (IMC) is one of the three largest multinational manufacturers of consumable precision carbide metal cutting tools for applications in a broad range of industrial end markets. IMC's primary brand names include ISCAR, TaeguTec, Ingersoll, Tungaloy, and NTK. Other IMC brand names include, among others, Unitac, UOP, It.te.di, Qutiltec, Tool-Flo, PCT, IMCO, BSW RKS and Supermill.

IMC has six primary product lines: milling tools, parting & grooving tools, turning/thread tools, hole making tools, round tools and tooling. The main products are split within the main product lines between consumable cemented tungsten carbide inserts and steel tool holders. Inserts comprise a major portion of IMC's sales and earnings. Metal cutting inserts are used by industrial manufacturers to cut metals and are consumed during their use in cutting applications. IMC manufactures hundreds of types of highly engineered inserts within each product line that are tailored to maximize productivity and meet the technical requirements of customers. IMC's staff of scientists and engineers continuously develop and innovate products that address end user needs and requirements.

IMC's global sales and marketing network operates in nearly every major manufacturing center around the world, staffed with highly skilled engineers and technical personnel. IMC's customer base is very diverse, with its primary customers being large, multinational businesses in the automotive, aerospace, engineering and machinery industries. IMC operates a regional central warehouse system with locations in Israel, the U.S., Belgium, South Korea, Japan and China. Additional small quantities of products are maintained at local IMC sales offices to provide on-time customer support and inventory management.

Cemented tungsten carbide powder is the main raw material used in manufacturing cutting tools. Most of IMC's insert products are made from tungsten. While supplies are currently adequate, a significant disruption or constraints in production processing facilities could cause reduced availability and increased prices.

Marmon

Marmon Holdings, Inc. (Marmon) is a global industrial organization comprising eleven diverse business groups and more than 100 autonomous manufacturing and service businesses. Marmon's manufacturing and service operations are conducted at approximately 400 manufacturing, distribution and service facilities located primarily in the U.S., as well as 16 other countries worldwide. Marmon's business groups are as follows.

Foodservice Technologies manufactures beverage dispensing and cooling equipment, hot and cold food preparation and holding equipment and related products for restaurants, global brand owners and other foodservice providers. Operations are based in the U.S. with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico, China, Czech Republic and Italy. Products are sold primarily throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Water Technologies manufactures water treatment equipment for residential, commercial and industrial applications worldwide. Operations are based primarily in the U.S., Canada, China, Singapore, India and Poland with business centers located in Belgium, France, Germany, the U.K. and Italy.

Transportation Products serves the automotive and heavy-duty highway transportation industries with precision-molded plastic components; fastener thread solutions; aluminum tubing and extrusions; automotive aftermarket transmission, emissions and chassis products; dry van, platform, lowbed specialty trailers; and truck and trailer components. Operations and business are conducted primarily in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Retail Solutions provides retail environment design services; in-store digital merchandising, dispensing and display fixtures; shopping, material handling and security carts. Operations and business are conducted in the U.S., the U.K. and Czech Republic.

Metal Services provides specialty metal pipe, tubing and related value-added services to customers across a broad range of industries including aerospace, construction and agricultural. Operations are based in the U.S., India, Poland, Singapore, the U.K., Netherlands, Canada and Mexico and business is conducted primarily in those countries.

Electrical produces electrical wire for use in residential and commercial buildings, and specialty wire and cable for use in energy, transit, aerospace, defense, communication and other industrial applications. Operations are based in the U.S., Canada, India and England. Business is conducted globally and primarily in the U.S., Canada, India, the U.K., U.A.E. and China.

Plumbing & Refrigeration supplies copper tubing and copper, brass, aluminum and stainless-steel fittings and components for the plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration markets; custom coils, ducting, air handling units and heat pipe for the HVAC market; HVAC systems and structures for military, nuclear and medical markets and aluminum and brass forgings for many commercial and industrial applications. Key raw materials, including aluminum and copper are widely available. Business and operations are conducted primarily in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

Industrial Products supplies construction fasteners; masonry and stone anchoring systems used in commercial construction; two component polymer products for anchoring, bonding and repair applications, gloves and other protective wear; gear drives, gearboxes, fan and pump drives for various markets; wind machines for agricultural use; wheels, axles and gears for rail, mining and other applications; lighting products for industrial and mining; and equipment for the manufacture and assembly of lead acid batteries; and the manufacturing and installation of after life service products. Operations are primarily based in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and China and business is conducted in those countries.

Rail & Leasing manufactures, leases and maintains railcars; leases intermodal tank containers; manufactures mobile railcar movers; provides in-plant rail switching and loading services; performs track construction and maintenance; and manufactures steel tank heads and cylinders.

Union Tank Car Company (UTLX) is the largest component of the Rail & Leasing group and is a leading designer, builder and full-service lessor of railroad tank cars and other specialized railcars. Together with its Canadian affiliate Procor, UTLX owns a fleet of approximately 119,000 railcars for lease to customers in chemical, petrochemical, energy and agricultural/food industries. UTLX manufactures tank cars in the U.S. and performs railcar maintenance services at various locations across North America.

UTLX has a diversified customer base, both geographically and across industries. UTLX, while subject to cyclicality and significant competition in most of its markets, competes by offering a broad range of high-quality products and services targeted at its niche markets. Railcars are typically leased for multiple-year terms and most of the leases are renewed upon expiration.

Intermodal tank containers are leased through EXSIF Worldwide. EXSIF is a leading international lessor of intermodal tank containers with a fleet of approximately 75,000 units, primarily serving chemical producers and logistics operators. In May 2022, EXSIF exited its Russia business, which resulted in the sale of approximately 7,300 intermodal tank containers.

Crane Services is a provider of mobile cranes and operators in North America and Australia with a combined fleet of approximately 1,100 cranes, primarily serving the energy, mining, petrochemical and infrastructure markets. Cranes are leased on either a fully operated and maintained service basis or on an equipment-only basis. The Crane Services group is subject to customer seasonality, with typical concentration of volume in the warmer months.

Medical develops, manufactures and distributes a wide range of innovative medical devices in the extremities fixation, craniomaxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery, biologics, aesthetics and powered instruments markets. The group's leading-edge medical technology and products are used globally to help improve patient care and outcomes. Operations are based in the U.S., Europe and China and business is conducted primarily in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Beginning in 2024, Marmon includes the Scott Fetzer companies, which were previously included in other industrial products businesses. The Scott Fetzer companies manufacture, distribute, service and finance a wide variety of products for residential, industrial and institutional use. Certain Marmon businesses, including the Rail and Medical groups, are subject to government regulation and oversight. Marmon has numerous known environmental matters which are subject to on-going monitoring and/or remediation efforts. Marmon follows all federal, state and local environmental regulations.

Other Industrial Products

CTB International Corp. (CTB) is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of agricultural systems and solutions for preserving grain, producing poultry, pigs and eggs, and for processing poultry, fish, vegetables and other foods. CTB operates from facilities located around the globe and supports customers through a worldwide network of independent distributors and dealers.

LiquidPower Specialty Products Inc. (LSPI) is a global leader in the science of drag reduction application (DRA) technology by maximizing the flow potential of pipelines, increasing operational flexibility and throughput capacity, and efficiencies for customers. LSPI develops innovative flow improver solutions with customers in over 20 countries on five continents, treating over 50 million barrels of hydrocarbon liquids per day. LSPI's DRA offering is part of a comprehensive, full-service solution that encompasses industry-leading technology, quality manufacturing, technical support and consulting, a reliable supply chain, injection equipment and field service. LSPI is subject to foreign, federal, state and local laws to protect the environment and limit manufacturing waste and emissions.

The industrial products group also includes W&W|AFCO Steel (W&W|AFCO), a leading structural steel fabricator and steel construction business in North America. W&W|AFCO operates 19 steel fabrication plants located across the U.S. W&W|AFCO's projects include semiconductor plants, stadiums, high-rise buildings, bridges, mining facilities, aircraft hangars, military projects, automotive assembly plants, as well as international projects. W&W|AFCO has a substantial multiyear backlog of projects. W&W|AFCO was acquired in connection with the Alleghany acquisition in 2022.

Building Products

Clayton

Clayton Homes, Inc. (Clayton) is a vertically integrated housing company offering traditional site-built homes and off-site (factory) built housing, including modular, manufactured, CrossMod and tiny homes. In 2023, Clayton delivered approximately 43,000 off-site built and approximately 10,000 site-built homes. Clayton also offers home financing and other financial services and competes on price, service, location and delivery capabilities.

All Clayton Built off-site built homes are designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S. As of December 2023, off-site backlog was $799 million, up over 200% from the prior year end. Clayton sells off-site built homes through independent and company-owned home centers, realtors and subdivision channels. Clayton considers its ability to offer financing to retail purchasers a factor affecting the marketplace acceptance of its off-site built homes. Clayton's financing programs utilize proprietary loan underwriting guidelines to evaluate loan applicants.

Since 2015, Clayton's site-built division, Clayton Properties Group, has expanded through the acquisition of nine builders across 18 states with over 290 subdivisions, supplementing the portfolio of housing products offered to customers. Clayton's site-builders currently own and control approximately 67,000 homesites, with a home order backlog of approximately $1.6 billion as of December 2023.

Clayton's home building business regularly makes capital and non-capital expenditures with respect to compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations, primarily related to erosion control, permitting and stormwater protection for site-built home subdivisions. The financing business originates and services loans which are federally regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, various state regulatory agencies and reviewed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Government National Mortgage Association and government-sponsored enterprises.

Shaw

Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (Shaw) is a leading manufacturer and distributor of carpet, carpet tile, and hard surface flooring products. Shaw designs and manufactures over 4,400 styles of tufted carpet, wood and resilient flooring for residential and commercial use under numerous brand and trade names and under certain private labels. Soft and hard surface products are available in a broad range of patterns, colors and textures. Shaw's carpet manufacturing operations are fully integrated from the processing of raw materials used to make fiber through to the finishing. Shaw's flooring businesses are primarily in the U.S., and it also manufactures in China and the U.K. and distributes carpet tile throughout Europe and Southeast Asia. Shaw manufactures or distributes a variety of hardwood, wood plastic composite (WPC), stone plastic composite (SPC), vinyl and laminate floor products (hard surfaces). Shaw's Integrated Solutions business also provides project management and installation services.

Shaw also operates Shaw Sports Turf, Shawgrass and Southwest Greens International, LLC, which provide synthetic sports turf, golf greens and landscape turf products. Since 2021, Shaw's businesses include Watershed Geosynthetics, LLC (Watershed Geo), which sells innovative and patented environmental solutions for utility, waste management, erosion control and mining industries. In 2023, Shaw acquired a controlling interest in Watershed Solar LLC (Watershed Solar), which was merged into Watershed Geo. Watershed Solar provides patented renewable energy solutions. The technology, branded PowerCap, supplies low profile, high output solar arrays on top of landfills, coal ash closures and roof tops, and otherwise underutilized spaces, producing renewable energy.

Shaw products are sold wholesale to over 43,000 retailers, distributors and commercial users throughout the world. Shaw's wholesale products are marketed domestically by over 1,900 salaried and commissioned sales personnel directly to retailers and distributors and to large national accounts.

Substantially all carpet manufactured by Shaw is tufted carpet made from nylon, polypropylene and polyester, as well as recycled materials. During 2023, Shaw processed approximately 93% of its requirements for carpet yarn in its own yarn processing facilities.

Johns Manville

Johns Manville Corporation (JM) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality products for building insulation, mechanical and industrial insulation, commercial roofing and roof insulation, as well as reinforcement fiberglass and technical nonwovens. JM serves markets that include residential and nonresidential buildings, automotive and transportation, air handling, appliance, HVAC, pipe and equipment, air and liquid filtration, waterproofing, flooring, interiors, aerospace and wind energy. Fiberglass is the basic material in many of JM's products, although JM also manufactures a significant portion of its products with other materials to satisfy the broader needs of its customers.

JM regards its patents and licenses as valuable; however, it does not consider any of its businesses to be materially dependent on any single patent or license.

JM's operations are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, which regulate or impose liability for the discharge of materials into the air, land and water and govern the use and disposal of hazardous substances and use of chemical substances. The most relevant of the federal laws are the Federal Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, which are administered by the EPA. Canadian and European regulatory authorities have also adopted their own environmental laws and regulations.

JM sells its products through a wide variety of channels including contractors, distributors, retailers, manufacturers and fabricators. JM operates in highly competitive markets, with competitors comprising primarily of large global and national manufacturers and smaller regional manufacturers. JM holds leadership positions in the key markets that it serves. JM's products compete primarily on value, differentiation and customization, breadth of product line, quality and service. Sales of JM's products are moderately seasonal due to increases in construction activity that typically occur in the second and third quarters of the calendar year.

MiTek

MiTek Industries, Inc. (MiTek) operates in two separate building markets: residential and commercial. MiTek operates worldwide with sales in over 60 countries and with manufacturing facilities and/or sales/engineering offices located in 20 countries.

In the residential building market, MiTek is a leading supplier of engineered connector products, construction hardware, engineering software and services, and computer-driven manufacturing machinery to the truss component market of the building components industry. MiTek's primary customers are component manufacturers who manufacture prefabricated roof and floor trusses and wall panels for the residential building market. MiTek also sells construction hardware to commercial distributors and retail stores for do-it-yourself customers.

Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore & Co. (Benjamin Moore) is one of North America's leading manufacturers of premium quality residential, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings. Benjamin Moore is committed to innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices. The Benjamin Moore premium portfolio includes Aura, Regal Select, ben, ADVANCE, Element Guard, Woodluxe, Ultra Spec and others. The Benjamin Moore diversified brands include specialty and architectural paints from Coronado and Insl-x.

Benjamin Moore coatings are available through more than 8,000 independently owned and operated paint, decorating and hardware retailers, including approximately 4,000 Ace Hardware (Ace) stores, throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as 72 countries globally. Benjamin Moore became the preferred paint supplier for Ace stores in 2019 through an agreement which permits Ace stores to carry specified Benjamin Moore products. The relationship with Ace has expanded considerably since 2019. Additionally, Benjamin Moore assumed responsibility for manufacturing Clark+Kensington and Royal, as well as the balance of Ace's private label paint brands.

Benjamin Moore also allows customers to directly order coatings or color samples online or, for national accounts via its customer information center, for delivery to the customer or a retailer near the customer.

Benjamin Moore competes with numerous manufacturers, distributors and paint, coatings and related products retailers. Competitors include other premium paint and decorating stores, mass merchandisers, home centers, independent hardware stores, hardware chains and manufacturer-operated direct outlets, such as Sherwin-Williams Company, PPG Industries, Inc., The Home Depot, Inc. and Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Acme

Acme Brick Company (Acme) manufactures and distributes clay bricks (Acme Brick) and concrete block (Featherlite). In addition, Acme distributes numerous other building products of other manufacturers, including cladding, floor and wall tile, wood flooring and other masonry products. Products are sold primarily in the South Central and Southeastern U.S. through company-operated sales offices. Acme distributes products primarily to homebuilders and masonry and general contractors.

The demand for Acme's products is seasonal, with higher sales in the warmer weather months, and is subject to the level of construction activity, which is cyclical.

Consumer Products

Recreational vehicles

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is a manufacturer of recreational vehicles (RV), utility cargo trailers, buses and pontoon boats with products sold in the U.S. and Canada through an independent dealer network. Forest River is a leading manufacturer of RVs with numerous brand names, including Forest River, Coachmen RV and Prime Time. Utility cargo trailers are sold under a variety of brand names. Buses are sold under several brand names, including Starcraft Bus. Pontoon boats are sold under the Berkshire, South Bay and Trifecta brand names.

Forest River is subject to regulations of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the safety standards for recreational vehicles established by the U.S. Department of Transportation and similar laws and regulations issued by the Canadian government. Forest River is a member of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, a voluntary association of RV manufacturers which promotes safety standards for RVs. Forest River believes its products comply in all material respects with the standards that govern its products.

Apparel and footwear

Fruit of the Loom, Inc. (FOL) is primarily a manufacturer and distributor of basic apparel, underwear, casualwear, athletic apparel and sports equipment. Products under the Fruit of the Loom and JERZEES labels are primarily sold in the mass merchandise, mid-tier chains and wholesale markets. In the Vanity Fair Brands product line, Vassarette, Curvation and Radiant by Vanity Fair are sold in the mass merchandise market, while Vanity Fair and Lily of France products are sold to mid-tier chains and department stores. FOL also markets and sells athletic apparel and sports equipment to team dealers and to sporting goods retailers under the Russell Athletic® and Spalding brands.

FOL generally performs its own knitting, cloth finishing, cutting, sewing and packaging for apparel. For the North American market, which is FOL's predominant sales region, cloth manufacturing is primarily performed in Honduras. Labor-intensive cutting, sewing and packaging operations are in Central America, the Caribbean and Asia. For the European market, products are either sourced from third-party contractors in Europe or Asia or sewn in Morocco from textiles internally produced in Morocco. Bras, athletic equipment, sporting goods and other athletic apparel lines are generally sourced from third-party contractors located primarily in Asia.

Garan Incorporated (Garan) designs, manufactures, imports and sells apparel primarily for children, including boys, girls, toddlers and infants. Products are sold under its own trademarks Garanimals and 365 Kids from Garanimals and easy-peasy, as well as customer private label brands. Garan conducts its business through operating subsidiaries located in the U.S., Central America and Asia. Garan's products are sold through its distribution centers in the U.S. Fechheimer Brothers Company (Fechheimers) manufactures and distributes uniforms, principally for the public service and safety markets, including police, fire, postal and military markets. Fechheimers is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The BH Shoe Holdings Group manufactures and distributes work, rugged outdoor and casual shoes and western-style footwear under several brand names, including Justin, BØRN, Carolina, Söfft and Double-H Boots, as well as under several other brand names. Brooks Sports, Inc., headquartered in Seattle, Washington, markets and sells performance running footwear and apparel to specialty and national retailers and directly to consumers under the Brooks brand. A significant volume of the shoes sold by Berkshire's shoe businesses are manufactured or purchased from sources located outside the U.S. Products are sold worldwide through a variety of channels, including department stores, footwear chains, specialty stores, catalogs and the Internet, as well as through company-owned retail stores.

Other Consumer Products

The Duracell Company (Duracell) is a leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline and lithium coin batteries. Duracell manufactures batteries in the U.S., Europe and China and provides a network of worldwide sales and distribution centers. Duracell sells its products to a diverse group of retailers and distributors across the globe. There are several competitors in the battery manufacturing market with Duracell holding a 31% market share of the global alkaline battery market.

The consumer products group also includes Jazwares, LLC, (Jazwares), acquired in 2022 in connection with Alleghany. Jazwares is a leading global toy and consumer products manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands, such as Squishmallows, Pokemon, Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Disney, BumBumz and Adopt Me. In addition to toys, offerings also include virtual games, costumes and products for pets. Jazwares sells its products in more than 100 countries.

Richline Group, Inc. operates five strategic business units: Richline Jewelry, Richline Digital, LeachGarner, Rio Grande and Inverness. Each business unit is a manufacturer and/or distributor of precious metal, non-precious metal, diamond and gem products to specific target markets, including large jewelry chains, department stores, shopping networks, mass merchandisers, e-commerce retailers and artisans as well as certain global manufacturers and wholesalers in the medical, electronics and aerospace industries. Albecca Inc. (Albecca), headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, operates in the U.S., Canada and 11 other countries, with products primarily under the Larson-Juhl name. Albecca designs, manufactures and distributes a complete line of high quality, branded custom framing products, including wood and metal moulding, matboard, foamboard, glass and framing supplies. Complementary to its framing products, Albecca offers art printing and fulfillment services.

Service and Retailing Businesses

Berkshire's service businesses provide grocery and foodservice distribution, professional aviation training programs, shared aircraft ownership programs and distribution of electronic components. Other service businesses include franchising and servicing of quick service restaurants, media businesses (television and information distribution), as well as logistics businesses. Information concerning these activities follows.

McLane

McLane Company, Inc. (McLane) provides wholesale distribution services in all 50 states to customers that include convenience stores, discount retailers, wholesale clubs, drug stores, military bases, quick service restaurants and casual dining restaurants. McLane's major customers during 2023 included Walmart (approximately 17.0% of revenues); 7-Eleven (approximately 14.0% of revenues); and Yum! Brands, (approximately 12.3% of revenues). McLane's business model is based on a high volume of sales, rapid inventory turnover and stringent expense controls. Operations are divided into three business units: grocery distribution, foodservice distribution and beverage distribution.

McLane's grocery distribution unit, based in Temple, Texas, maintains a dominant market share within the convenience store industry and serves most of the national convenience store chains and major oil company retail outlets. Grocery operations provide products to retail locations nationwide. McLane's grocery distribution unit operates distribution facilities in 20 states.

McLane's foodservice distribution unit, based in Carrollton, Texas, focuses on serving the quick service and casual dining restaurant industry with high quality, timely-delivered products. Operations are conducted through facilities in 22 states. The foodservice distribution unit services restaurants nationwide.

Through its subsidiaries, McLane also operates wholesale distributors of distilled spirits, wine and beer. The beverage unit operates as Empire Distributors, with operations conducted through distribution centers in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Colorado. Empire Distributors services retail locations in the southeastern U.S. and Colorado.

FlightSafety

FlightSafety International Inc. (FlightSafety) is an industry leading provider of professional aviation training services and flight simulation products. FlightSafety and FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training, a joint venture with Textron, provide high technology training to pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, flight attendants and dispatchers who operate and support a wide variety of business, commercial and military aircraft. The training is provided using a large fleet of advanced full flight simulators at learning centers and training locations in the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, Norway, South Africa and the U.K. Compliance with applicable environmental regulations is an inherent requirement to operate the facilities. The vast majority of the instructors, training programs and flight simulators are qualified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other aviation regulatory agencies around the world.

FlightSafety is also a leader in the design and manufacture of full flight simulators, visual systems, displays and other advanced technology training devices. This equipment is used to support FlightSafety training programs and is offered for sale to airlines, government and military organizations around the world. Manufacturing facilities are located in Oklahoma and Illinois. FlightSafety strives to maintain and manufacture simulators and develop courseware using state-of-the-art technology, incorporating critical safety standards and procedures. FlightSafety invests in research and development, further advancing the delivery of new equipment and training programs.

NetJets

NetJets Inc. (NetJets) is the leader in private aviation services and operates a large, diverse private aircraft fleet and offers a full range of personalized private aviation solutions to meet and exceed the high standards of its customers. NetJets' global headquarters are located in Columbus, Ohio and its European operations are based in Lisbon, Portugal. The shared ownership concept is designed to meet the travel needs of customers who require the scale, flexibility and access of a large fleet of aircraft as opposed to reliance on whole aircraft ownership. In addition, shared ownership programs are available for corporate flight departments seeking to outsource their general aviation needs or add capacity for peak periods and for others that previously chartered aircraft.

NetJets' programs are focused on safety and service and are designed to offer customers guaranteed availability of aircraft, predictable operating costs and increased liquidity. NetJets' shared aircraft ownership programs permit customers to acquire a specific percentage of a certain aircraft type and allow customers to utilize the aircraft for a specified number of flight hours annually. In addition, NetJets offers prepaid flight cards and other aviation solutions and services for aircraft management, customized aircraft sales and acquisition, ground support and flight operation services under several programs, including NetJets Shares, NetJets Leases and the NetJets Card Program.

NetJets is subject to the rules and regulations of the FAA, the Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Regulations address aircraft registration, maintenance requirements, pilot qualifications and airport operations, including flight planning and scheduling, as well as security issues and other matters. NetJets maintains comprehensive training and development programs in compliance with regulatory requirements for pilots, flight attendants, maintenance mechanics, and other flight operations specialists, many of whom are represented by unions.

TTI

TTI, Inc. (TTI) is a global specialty distributor of passive, interconnect, electromechanical, discrete, and semiconductor components used by customers in the manufacturing and assembling of electronic products. TTI's customer base includes OEMs, electronic manufacturing services, original design manufacturers and military and commercial customers, as well as design and system engineers. TTI's distribution agreements with the industry's leading suppliers allow it to uniquely leverage its product cost and to expand its business by providing new lines and products to its customers. TTI operates sales offices and distribution centers from locations throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

K-21

TTI services a variety of industries including telecommunications, medical devices, computers and office equipment, military/aerospace, automotive and industrial electronics. TTI's core businesses serve customers in the design through production stages in the electronic component supply chain, which supports high-volume customers. Its Mouser subsidiary supports a broader base of customers with lower volume purchases through internet-based marketing.

Other Services

XTRA Corporation (XTRA) is a leading transportation equipment lessor operating under the XTRA Lease brand name. XTRA manages a diverse fleet of approximately 90,000 units located at 47 facilities throughout the U.S. The fleet includes over-the-road and storage trailers, chassis, temperature-controlled vans and flatbed trailers. XTRA is one of the largest lessors (in terms of units available) of over-the-road trailers in North America. Transportation equipment customers lease equipment to cover cyclical, seasonal and geographic needs and as a substitute for purchasing equipment. By maintaining a large fleet, XTRA provides customers with a broad selection of equipment and quick response times.

International Dairy Queen Inc. develops and services a worldwide system of franchised restaurants operating primarily under the names DQ Grill and Chill, Dairy Queen, DQ and Orange Julius that offer various dairy desserts, beverages, prepared foods and blended fruit drinks. Business Wire Inc. (Business Wire) transmits full-text news releases, regulatory filings, photos and other multimedia content to journalists, financial professionals, investor services, regulatory authorities and the general public. Releases are distributed globally via Business Wire's patented NX network. CORT Business Services Corporation (CORT) is a leading national provider of rental furniture and related services in the rent-to-rent segment of the furniture rental industry. CORT's primary revenue streams include furniture rental to individuals, businesses, government agencies, the trade show and events industry and retail sales of new and used furniture. WPLG, Inc. is an ABC affiliate television broadcast station serving the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale market. WPLG, Inc. operates WPLG-TV, local10.com, MeTV South Florida and Heroes & Icons Network in South Florida. Charter Brokerage Holdings Corp. is a leading non-asset based third party logistics provider to the petroleum and chemical industries.

The services group also includes IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC (IPS), which was acquired in connection with the Alleghany acquisition in 2022. IPS operates globally and provides a range of professional design, validation, construction, project controls and consulting services for manufacturing and support facilities within the pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences, science and technology, industrial, commercial and retail industries. IPS's services are required to be compliant with each jurisdiction's regulations applicable to the engineering and architectural service providers.

Retailing Businesses

Berkshire's retailing businesses include automotive, home furnishings and several other operations that sell various consumer products and services. Information regarding each of these operations follows.

Berkshire Hathaway Automotive

Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, Inc. (BHA) is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S., currently operating 108 new vehicle franchises through 83 dealerships located primarily in major metropolitan markets in the U.S. The dealerships sell new and used vehicles, vehicle maintenance and repair services, extended service contracts, vehicle protection products and other aftermarket products. BHA also arranges financing for its customers through third-party lenders. BHA operates collision centers directly connected to the dealerships' operations and owns and operates two auto auctions and an automotive fluid maintenance products distributor.

Dealership operations are highly concentrated in the Arizona and Texas markets, with approximately 75% of dealership-related revenues derived from sales in these markets. BHA currently maintains franchise agreements with 27 different vehicle manufacturers, although it derives a significant portion of its revenue from the Toyota/Lexus, General Motors, Ford/Lincoln, Nissan/Infiniti and Honda/Acura brands. These manufacturers represent approximately 90% of the revenue generated by BHA's dealerships.

BHA's overall relationships with the automobile manufacturers are governed by framework agreements. The framework agreements contain provisions relating to the management, operation, acquisition and ownership structure of BHA's dealerships.

Individual dealerships operate under franchise agreements with the manufacturer, which grants the dealership entity a non-exclusive right to sell the manufacturer's brand of vehicles and offer related parts and service within a specified market area, as well as the right to use the manufacturer's trademarks. The agreements contain various requirements and restrictions related to the management and operation of the franchised dealership and provide for termination of the agreement by the manufacturer or non-renewal for a variety of causes.

BHA also develops, underwrites and administers various vehicle protection plans as well as life and accident and health insurance plans sold to consumers through BHA's dealerships and third-party dealerships. BHA also develops proprietary training programs and materials and provides ongoing monitoring and training of the dealership's finance and insurance personnel.

Home Furnishings Retailing

The home furnishings businesses consist of Nebraska Furniture Mart Inc. (NFM), R.C. Willey Home Furnishings (R.C. Willey), Star Furniture Company (Star) and Jordan's Furniture, Inc. (Jordan's). These businesses offer a wide selection of furniture, bedding and accessories. In addition, NFM and R.C. Willey sell a full line of major household appliances, electronics, floor coverings, and other home furnishings and offer customer financing to complement their retail operations.

NFM operates its business from four retail complexes with almost 4.5 million square feet of retail, warehouse and administrative facilities located in Omaha, Nebraska, Clive, Iowa, Kansas City, Kansas and The Colony, Texas. NFM also owns Homemakers Furniture located in Urbandale, Iowa, which has approximately 600,000 square feet of retail, warehouse and administrative space. NFM is the largest home furnishings retailer in each of these markets. R.C. Willey, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, operates full-line retail home furnishings stores and distribution centers. These facilities include approximately 1.3 million square feet of retail space with four stores located in Utah, one store in Meridian, Idaho, three stores in Nevada (Las Vegas and Reno) and two stores in the Sacramento, California area.

Jordan's operates a retail furniture business from locations with approximately 1 million square feet of retail space in stores located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine and Connecticut. The retail stores are supported by an 800,000 square foot distribution center in Taunton, Massachusetts. Jordan's is the largest furniture retailer, as measured by sales, in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire and is well known in its markets for its unique store arrangements and advertising campaigns. Star has operated home furnishings retail stores in Texas for many years. Star's retail facilities include about 700,000 square feet of retail space in locations in Texas, including Houston.

Other Retailing

Borsheim Jewelry Company, Inc. (Borsheims) operates from a single store in Omaha, Nebraska. Borsheims is a high-volume retailer of fine jewelry, watches, crystal, china, stemware, flatware, gifts and collectibles. Helzberg's Diamond Shops, LLC (Helzberg) is based in North Kansas City, Missouri, and operates a chain of retail jewelry stores in 34 states, which includes approximately 400,000 square feet of retail space. Helzberg's stores are located in malls, lifestyle centers, power strip centers and outlet malls, and all stores operate under the name Helzberg Diamonds or Helzberg Diamonds Outlet. The Ben Bridge Corporation (Ben Bridge Jeweler), based in Seattle, Washington, operates retail jewelry stores under three different brand names, located primarily in major shopping malls in nine western states. Thirty-three of its retail locations are upscale jewelry stores selling loose diamonds, finished jewelry and high-end timepieces.

See's Candy Shops, Incorporated (See's) produces boxed chocolates and other confectionery products with an emphasis on quality and distinctiveness in two large kitchens in Los Angeles and South San Francisco and a facility in Burlingame, California. See's operates retail and volume saving stores located mainly in California and other Western states, as well as over 115 seasonal locations. See's revenues are highly seasonal with approximately half of its annual revenues earned in the fourth quarter.

The Pampered Chef, Ltd. (Pampered Chef) is a premier direct seller of distinctive high-quality kitchenware products with sales and operations in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Austria and France and operations in China. Pampered Chef's product portfolio consists of over 400 Pampered Chef branded kitchenware items in categories ranging from stoneware and cutlery to grilling and entertaining. Pampered Chef's products are available through its sales force of independent cooking consultants and online.

Oriental Trading Company (OTC) is a leading multi-channel and online retailer for fun-value-priced party supplies, seasonal products, arts and crafts, toys and novelties, school supplies and educational games. OTC, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, serves a broad base of nearly four million customers annually, including consumers, schools, churches, non-profit organizations, medical and dental offices and other businesses. OTC offers a unique assortment of over 80,000 fun products emphasizing proprietary designs. OTC operates both direct-to-consumer and business-to-business brands including Oriental Trading, Fun Express, MindWare, SmileMakers, Morris Costumes and HalloweenExpress.com and utilizes digital and print marketing along with dedicated sales teams to promote online sales.

Detlev Louis Motorrad (Louis), headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, is a leading retailer of motorcycle clothing and equipment in Europe. Louis carries different store and private label products, mainly covering the areas of clothing, technical equipment and leisure. Louis has stores in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands as well as an online business with online shops in various languages in Europe.

Additional Information

As of December 31, 2023, Berkshire or a subsidiary owned 26.7% of the outstanding common stock of The Kraft Heinz Company (Kraft Heinz) and 27.8% of the outstanding Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Occidental). Kraft Heinz manufactures and markets food and beverage products, including condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee and other grocery products. Occidental is an international energy company, including oil and natural gas exploration, development and production, and chemicals manufacturing businesses. Occidental's midstream businesses purchase, market, gather, process, transport and store various oil, natural gas, carbon dioxide and other products. Berkshire subsidiaries also own a 50% joint venture interest in Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC.

Properties

The properties used by Berkshire's business segments are summarized in this section. Berkshire's railroad and utilities and energy businesses, in particular, utilize considerable physical assets in their businesses.

Railroad Business-Burlington Northern Santa Fe

Through BNSF Railway, BNSF operates over 32,500 route miles of track (excluding multiple main tracks, yard tracks and sidings) in 28 states, and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF owns over 23,000 route miles, including easements, and operates over 9,000 route miles of trackage rights that permit BNSF to operate its trains with its crews over other railroads' tracks. As of December 31, 2023, the total BNSF Railway system, including single and multiple main tracks, yard tracks and sidings, consisted of over 50,000 operated miles of track.

BNSF operates various facilities and equipment to support its transportation system, including its infrastructure, locomotives and freight cars. It also owns or leases other equipment to support rail operations, such as vehicles. Support facilities for rail operations include yards and terminals throughout its rail network, system locomotive shops to perform locomotive servicing and maintenance, a centralized network operations center for train dispatching and network operations monitoring and management, computers, telecommunications equipment, signal systems and other support systems. Transfer facilities are maintained for rail-to-rail as well as intermodal transfer of containers, trailers and other freight traffic and include approximately 25 intermodal hubs located across the system. BNSF owns or holds under non-cancelable leases exceeding one year approximately 7,500 locomotives and 72,800 freight cars, in addition to maintenance of way and other equipment.

Utilities and Energy Businesses

Berkshire Hathaway Energy

BHE's energy properties consist of the physical assets necessary to support its electricity and natural gas businesses. Properties of BHE's electricity businesses include electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, as well as coal mining assets that support certain of BHE's electric generating facilities. Properties of BHE's natural gas businesses include natural gas distribution facilities, interstate pipelines, storage facilities, liquefied natural gas facilities, compressor stations and meter stations. The transmission and distribution assets are primarily within each of BHE's utility service territories. In addition to these physical assets, BHE has rights-of-way, mineral rights and water rights that enable BHE to utilize its facilities. Pursuant to separate financing agreements, the majority of these properties are pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise provide the security for the related subsidiary debt.

As of December 31, 2023, BHE's subsidiaries also have electric generating facilities that are under construction in Nevada, Wyoming and California having total Facility Net Capacity and Net Owned Capacity of 1,284 MW. BHE's subsidiaries also have battery energy storage systems in Nevada having total Facility Net Capacity and Net Owned Capacity in operation of 220 MW and under construction of 100 MW.

PacifiCorp, MEC and NV Energy own electric transmission and distribution systems, including approximately 27,900 miles of transmission lines and approximately 1,670 substations, and gas distribution facilities, including approximately 28,500 miles of gas mains and service lines.

Northern Powergrid (Northeast) and Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) operate an electricity distribution network that includes approximately 17,100 miles of overhead lines, approximately 44,000 miles of underground cables and approximately 790 major substations. AltaLink's electricity transmission system includes approximately 8,300 miles of transmission lines and approximately 310 substations.

The BHE GT&S pipeline system consists of approximately 5,400 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipelines located in portions of Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia. Storage services are provided through the operation of 17 underground natural gas storage fields located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York. BHE GT&S also operates, as the general partner, and owns a 75% limited partnership interest in one liquefied natural gas export, import and storage facility in Maryland and operates and has ownership interests in three smaller liquefied natural gas facilities in Alabama, Florida and Pennsylvania.

Northern Natural's pipeline system consists of approximately 14,200 miles of natural gas pipelines, including approximately 5,800 miles of mainline transmission pipelines and approximately 8,400 miles of branch and lateral pipelines. Northern Natural's end-use and distribution market area includes points in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Michigan and Illinois and its natural gas supply and delivery service area includes points in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Storage services are provided through the operation of one underground natural gas storage field in Iowa, two underground natural gas storage facilities in Kansas and two liquefied natural gas storage peaking units, one in Iowa and one in Minnesota.

Kern River's system consists of approximately 1,400 miles of natural gas pipelines, which extends from the system's point of origination in Wyoming through the Central Rocky Mountains into California.

Pilot Travel Centers

PTC owns and operates travel center locations across the U.S., primarily under the names Pilot or Flying J, owning approximately 90% and leasing 10% of the properties. Additionally, PTC operates wholesale and retail fuel distribution facilities, fuel mixing and processing facilities, cardlock locations, an ethanol plant and a water disposal business in the oil fields sector.

History

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. was incorporated in 1998.