Categories
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Launches Group Personal Accident and Business Travel Insurance in the UK

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has expanded its global Accident & Health (A&H) offerings with the launch of Group Personal Accident and Business Travel Insurance in the UK. This new initiative strengthens BHSI’s commitment to employee safety and risk management, aligning with the growing global emphasis on workforce wellbeing.

“Employee safety and wellbeing are strategic priorities for companies worldwide, and BHSI is pleased to bring our robust A&H solutions to organizations across the UK,” said Nick Major, Country Manager for BHSI in the UK. “Today’s complex travel landscape demands a holistic and agile approach to risk management – precisely what BHSI delivers.”

The new coverage is designed to address both everyday and emerging risks associated with business travel, offering tailored protection for companies of all sizes in the UK. Key features include real-time risk alerts, traveler tracking, and emergency services through Healix International. Employees covered under the Group Personal Accident policy also gain access to Teladoc Health UK’s virtual services, including 24/7 GP consultations, expert second medical opinions, and mental health support.

Leading the UK A&H product line is Toni LePine, Head of Accident & Health, UK, with Tom Keeble serving as Senior Underwriter, A&H. Both bring extensive experience and a commitment to building strong relationships with brokers and customers across the UK and Europe. The team is based in BHSI’s London office.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Pilot Flying J

Pilot, GM, and EVgo Power Up EV Charging Across 40 States

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Pilot Company, General Motors, and EVgo Inc. announced their joint charging network now spans more than 200 locations across nearly 40 states, with nearly 850 fast-charging stalls deployed in just over two years. The partnership is helping bridge charging gaps, particularly along interstate travel corridors, enabling 24/7 access to high-power chargers at Pilot and Flying J locations.

The network has grown rapidly, expanding from 25 states to almost 40 in less than a year, with recent additions including Colorado, the Dakotas, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Wyoming. Significant growth is also underway in Texas, Missouri, and Florida—regions where rural counties often lack sufficient charging access. Only 45% of rural counties had at least one fast charging stall available at the start of 2025.

Amenities such as free Wi-Fi, on-site dining, grocery items, overhead canopies, and pull-through stalls for larger vehicles enhance driver convenience. The chargers, capable of up to 350kW, support “Plug and Charge” technology, allowing compatible EVs to start and pay for sessions automatically.

The companies aim to install up to 2,000 fast-charging stalls across 500 locations nationwide. By the end of 2025, they expect to reach 1,000 stalls in 40 states, further supporting coast-to-coast EV travel.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: Stop Throwing Good Money After Bad

Trying to recover losses by pouring more money into a struggling stock is a common mistake—and one that Warren Buffett warns against.

At the 1995 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffett emphasized a key investing principle: “You don’t have to make it back the way you lost it. And in fact, it’s usually a mistake to try and make it back the way that you lost it.”

In other words, there’s no need to stick with a losing investment in the hope it will rebound. The market offers countless other opportunities. Clinging to a poor performer can tie up capital that could be better used elsewhere.

Buffett’s advice is simple: let go of emotional attachments to past losses, and focus instead on smarter, more promising investments going forward.

Hear Buffett’s full explanation

See the complete Lessons From Warren Buffett series

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

BHSI Appoints Anna Spink as Head of Marine, Australasia

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has named Anna Spink as Head of Marine, Australasia.

“Anna’s underwriting expertise, strong customer and broker relationships, and proven track record of service underpin our ambition to grow our Ocean and Inland Marine specialty portfolio,” said Mark Lingafelter, President of BHSI, Australasia.

Spink, who joined BHSI in 2018, previously served as National Manager, Corporate Property, in Australia. She brings nearly 35 years of insurance experience across the UK and Australian markets.

In her new role, she will oversee Marine Cargo, Marine Liability, Marine Hull, Pleasure Craft, Plant and Equipment, General Property, and Heavy Motor portfolios. Spink is based in Sydney.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
BNSF

BNSF to Open New Intermodal Facility in Oklahoma City

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BNSF Railway will open a 42-acre intermodal facility in Oklahoma City this November, offering streamlined and cost-efficient transportation options for Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

The project stems from a partnership with the Oklahoma City-based retailer, which sought a simpler and more economical way to move containers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to its local distribution network.

“This expansion shows how we listen to our customers’ needs and deliver solutions that create shared growth opportunities across the region,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF Group Vice President of Consumer Products. He noted the facility could eventually eliminate up to 40,000 truck moves from highways each year.

Hobby Lobby CFO Jon Cargill said the partnership will help the company maintain efficiency while continuing to provide value to customers.

Looking ahead, the facility will also be available to Oklahoma farmers and other businesses for exports to the West Coast.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: How to Judge a Company’s Management

For long-term business success, few factors are as important as the quality of a company’s management. Warren Buffett believes that investors should focus on two key areas when evaluating leadership.

At the 1994 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffett explained, “You judge management by two yardsticks: how well they run the business, and how well they treat their shareholders.”

The first involves understanding the business and assessing how management has performed over time—especially how they’ve allocated capital compared to competitors. It’s essential to consider the conditions they inherited and how effectively they’ve handled them.

The second measure is shareholder treatment. According to Buffett, good managers tend to act in the best interest of owners, while poor ones often neglect shareholders.

In Buffett’s experience, these two traits usually go hand in hand: managers who perform poorly often show little regard for shareholders. For investors, that’s a red flag worth watching.

Hear Buffett’s full explanation

See the complete Lessons From Warren Buffett series

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Lubrizol

Lubrizol Expands Partnership with Arihant Innochem into Nutraceuticals

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol Corporation has expanded its partnership with India’s Arihant Innochem to include its Nutraceuticals portfolio, extending a collaboration that has lasted more than 30 years.

The move gives Lubrizol broader access to India’s fast-growing health and wellness market, while Arihant adds to its distribution network in Health, Home, and Personal Care.

“The partnership combines Lubrizol’s expertise in science-backed Nutraceutical solutions with Arihant’s distribution capabilities to support continued expansion,” said Jayesh Vithalani, Senior Manager at Lubrizol.

Arihant Managing Director Jinesh Shah said the addition positions the firm to build a niche in the country’s wellness space.

Lubrizol operates more than 100 facilities worldwide and employs over 7,000 people.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Kraft Heinz

Kraft Heinz to Split Into Two Independent Companies

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC) has announced plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies through a tax-free spin-off. The move, unanimously approved by its Board of Directors, is aimed at simplifying operations and unlocking long-term growth by giving each business sharper focus and resources aligned with its strategy.

The two new entities will be:

Global Taste Elevation Co. – A global leader in sauces, spreads, seasonings, and shelf-stable meals with about $15.4 billion in 2024 net sales and $4.0 billion in adjusted EBITDA. Its portfolio will include Heinz, Philadelphia, and Kraft Mac & Cheese, with strong positions in both emerging markets and the Away From Home segment.

North American Grocery Co. – A North America-focused portfolio of grocery staples with $10.4 billion in 2024 net sales and $2.3 billion in adjusted EBITDA. Led by current CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera, the business will feature well-known brands such as Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles, and Lunchables, generating steady cash flow and pursuing growth in core and adjacent categories.

Executive Chair Miguel Patricio said the separation will reduce complexity and allow each company to better allocate capital, focus on growth, and deliver long-term shareholder value. Abrams-Rivera added that the move “will unleash the power of our brands and unlock the potential of our business.”

Kraft Heinz emphasized that both companies are expected to maintain investment-grade capital structures, preserve the current dividend level, and retain financial flexibility for organic growth, shareholder returns, and strategic opportunities.

The separation follows a strategic review launched in May 2025, with the company concluding that creating two standalone businesses provides the best path to maximize value for shareholders.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
McLane

McLane Opens Austin Tech Hub to Accelerate Digital Transformation

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

McLane Company Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary and one of the nation’s largest distributors, has opened a new technology hub in Austin, Texas, to support its growing Information Technology & Digital (IT&D) team and accelerate its AI-driven strategy.

The Austin hub will house about 100 specialists in cyber, data, AI, and cloud engineering, giving McLane access to the city’s deep tech talent pool. The move reflects the company’s push to strengthen its digital foundation through automation, frictionless experiences, and real-time visibility.

Leading the effort is Chief Information & Digital Officer Murat Genc, who joined McLane in September 2024 after senior roles at Whirlpool and Procter & Gamble. “Our investments in digital supply chain, cloud, data and AI are laying the groundwork for a future-ready logistics, retail and food services model,” Genc said.

McLane has also expanded its leadership team with four seasoned executives:

Tanya Coutray, VP & Retail CIDO, with experience at AWS, Walmart, and T-Mobile.

Nick Elizondo, VP of Enterprise & Supply Chain Platforms, formerly with PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper.

Juan Gomez-Sanchez, VP of Cybersecurity, recognized among the nation’s top CISOs.

Sid Kulkarni, VP of Data, Analytics & AI, with leadership experience at Intel, Lowe’s, Oracle, and FICO.

With its Austin expansion and strengthened IT&D leadership, McLane is positioning itself as a digital-first supply chain and distribution powerhouse.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: When Risk Hides in Plain Sight

Risk often hides in plain sight—unseen until something goes wrong. It’s only when markets crash, companies collapse, or insurers face massive claims that the true extent of risk becomes evident.

Warren Buffett famously captured this idea at the 1994 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting: “You don’t find out who’s been swimming naked until the tide goes out.” He emphasized that this principle applies not only to stocks but also to bonds and reinsurance.

Investors chasing high returns through risky bonds or insurers writing questionable policies may seem smart in calm conditions. But when adversity strikes, those decisions are quickly exposed, sometimes with devastating consequences.

Buffett notes that reinsurance, in particular, can be deceptive. “You can be doing dumb things and not know it,” Buffett warned. “Then all of a sudden wake up and find out the money is gone.”

The takeaway? Risk is often invisible—until it’s too late.

Buffett’s full explanation


See the complete Lessons From Warren Buffett series

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.