Month: September 2020

Categories
Appointments BNSF

BNSF Appoints New CEO

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BNSF has announced that Executive Vice President Operations, Kathryn M. Farmer, will become President and Chief Executive Officer on Jan. 1, 2021. As CEO, she will assume leadership of BNSF’s Board of Directors.

Carl R. Ice, current President and Chief Executive Officer, will retire at the end of 2020 and remain on BNSF’s Board of Directors as well.

Farmer has been with BNSF for 28 years, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Operations since September 2018. In 1992, Farmer joined Burlington Northern as a management trainee and has held leadership positions in every major function of the company including operations, marketing and finance. Prior to her operations role, Farmer led BNSF’s largest business unit as Group Vice President, Consumer Products.

Ice has been with BNSF for 42 years. In 1995, he led a team that orchestrated the merger and subsequent integration of Burlington Northern Railroad and Santa Fe Railway. Since then, he has helped lead the company and culture into what has become the largest Class I railroad in North America. Ice has been integral to the development of the company’s operating and marketing plans.

“I want to thank all of the men and women of BNSF. I am proud of having worked with you and all of the things that we have accomplished together. One of the most important roles of a CEO is to ensure a strong succession plan is in place,” said Ice. “Katie and I have been working toward this plan for a long time. Katie has held many different roles at BNSF with an ever-increasing impact with each new role as she has built trust and confidence throughout BNSF. I am pleased for Katie and the organization knowing BNSF’s future is in good hands. Katie is a shining example of BNSF’s leadership model and BNSF will continue to build upon its legacy.”

As a long-time member of BNSF’s leadership team, Farmer said, “I am humbled and honored to be asked to lead this incredible company and its dedicated employees—men and women that I have worked alongside for almost 30 years. We are well-positioned in our approach to safety and meeting our customers’ expectations while having the necessary capacity to grow with our customers. BNSF has long been a cost leader and we will ensure that continues into the future. I look forward to continuing BNSF’s success.”

“Carl has had a huge impact on this company and this industry having served on BNSF’s leadership team for the entire 25 years of the company’s existence. I have great respect for him and he leaves BNSF well-prepared for the next 25 years,” said Greg Abel, Vice Chairman, Non-Insurance Operations, Berkshire Hathaway. “Katie has had a long career with multiple roles at BNSF which fits well with our efforts to develop our people. Katie’s proven leadership and passion and commitment make her perfect for the role. We’re thrilled that Katie is taking over the role and have the utmost confidence in both her and BNSF’s future success.”

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett said, “BNSF is an iconic company and this is a historic day. Carl has been critical to BNSF’s success for a very long time. I thank him for his leadership and his accomplishments. We look forward to Katie’s leadership and more success. She possesses all of the qualities that make us excited about the future.”

© 2020 David Mazor


Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathawa, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a 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
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD E-Buses Roll Into Toronto

BYD Canada has announced that ten zero-emission, 40-foot K9M battery-electric buses will be put into service by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), in Toronto, Ontario.

TTC is Canada’s largest and North America’s third largest transit operator.

“This is an important milestone for the city, for the province and for BYD and we can’t wait for Torontonians to see what BYD’s combination of best-in-class technology, and Canadian know-how can deliver for their city,” BYD Canada Vice President Ted Dowling said.

“We know of course that this moment, this kind of innovation, doesn’t just happen – it takes leadership and real champions at the table to make it work. On behalf BYD, I’d like to thank Mayor John Tory, Minister Catherine McKenna, TTC Chair Jaye Robinson and CEO Rick Leary and of course Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong for their strong commitment to a clean, green future for Toronto, and their investment in good, Canadian jobs to get it done.”

This is a significant a milestone for BYD, as these ten buses are the first to hit the road from BYD’s 45,000-square-foot assembly facility in Newmarket, Ontario; the first new electric bus plant to open in the province in a generation. The assembly of these buses created 30 jobs and are the first buses built in Ontario since Orion closed its plant in 2012.

“Beyond the jobs they create, these ten buses delivered to Toronto will help remove nearly 8400 metric tonnes of GHG from the atmosphere over their lifetime –just imagine what we could do with more. We’re proud to be a partner in helping make Toronto’s vision of an emissions free transit system– and we look forward to continuing this wonderful partnership for many years to come,” continued Dowling.

The Toronto Transit Commission is one of several customers in Canada purchasing zero-emission, battery-electric BYD buses. This order represents a significant advance toward TTC’s goal of purchasing all emission-free buses beginning in 2025 and completing a fleet conversion by 2040. Each of these new buses will remove approximately 9 Metric tons of nitrogen oxides, 159 kilograms of diesel particulate matter, and approximately 1,530 Metric tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere over the 12-year lifecycle of the vehicle.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value almost twenty-fold.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a 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
Pampered Chef

Pampered Chef Launching Subscription Service Focussed on Seasonings

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

To meet the needs of home cooks looking to simplify mealtime, while still packing in plenty of inspiration and flavor, Berkshire Hathaway’s Pampered Chef has launched TasteBuds, a monthly seasoning kit subscription offering. Pre-orders are available now, with deliveries beginning Oct. 1 in the U.S. and Canada.

TasteBuds delivers a surprise to consumers’ doorsteps each month, including:

• Flavor: Three pre-portioned packets of Pampered Chef’s most-loved non-GMO and gluten-free, seasonings and blends; ¼ cup each and enough for 2-4 recipes. TasteBuds was designed to encompass existing and beloved offerings from Pampered Chef’s pantry products along with brand-new flavors, so consumers can buy more of what they love most.
• Inspiration: Three exclusive recipes highlighting the month’s theme and seasonings; recipes are customizable with suggested “change-ups” to fit different family dietary needs and palates, such as vegetarian and gluten-free options. Subscribers also receive tips to use leftover seasonings in snacks, sides, desserts and drinks.
• Community: Subscriber-only access to the TasteBuds online portal, which features additional recipe support, timesaving tips, video content and more to build even more confidence in the kitchen.
“We know that consumers are spending more time in their kitchen and endlessly scrolling through recipes just to end up serving the same chicken dinner they make every day; we designed TasteBuds with that struggle in mind,” said

Terry Haley, chief marketing officer for Pampered Chef. “TasteBuds delivers new flavors and easy-to-follow cooking methods, spicing up that go-to chicken dinner and getting families out of a cooking rut with fresh, inspired recipe ideas. With this, our community of consultants and consumers can enhance and simplify their everyday cooking to ensure they aren’t sacrificing the quality time they crave with loved ones at dinner time.”

TasteBuds is available in three subscription types: month-to-month ($24/Can$34); three-month, pre-paid quarterly ($20/Can$28.50 per month); and six-month, prepaid semi-annually ($18/Can$25.50 per month). Shipping is free and services are flexible if customers choose to adjust quantity, duration or wish to pause/cancel their subscription before their renewal date (the date the original order was placed). Customers must place their order by the 16th of the month to receive the current month’s theme and package.

TasteBuds is available now for pre-order at pamperedchef.com/tastebuds or through a Pampered Chef consultant.

© 2020 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
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD Receives E-Bus Purchasing Contract for California

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Chinese battery and vehicle manufacturer BYD was selected by the State of California to be a supplier of motor coaches, giving customers the convenience and competitive pricing of a pre-established contract.

Under the purchasing contract, entities can buy three BYD models: the K10M 45-foot low-floor coach and the C9M 40-foot high-floor coach; and the C10M 45-foot high-floor coach.

BYD’s buses are assembled at its plant in Lancaster, California.

The statewide purchasing contract was created to assist transit agencies meet the California Air Resources Board’s Innovative Clean Transit regulation, which requires that all public transit agencies transition to zero-emission buses, with all new bus purchases to be zero-emission by 2029 and the goal of complete fleet transition by 2040. There are over 200 public transit agencies in California operating more than 14,000 transit buses.

The statewide contract will also be available to governmental entities outside of California.

“This is a big win for transit agencies and operators throughout the United States,” said Patrick Duan, Vice President of BYD North America. “By leveraging California’s purchasing contract, transit agencies benefit from the convenience of an existing contract and competitive pricing. BYD will supply its zero emission U.S-made coaches to California and America with pride.”

BYD had a net profit of 1.66 billion yuan (roughly 242 million U.S. dollars) for the first half of 2020. The net profit rose 14.29 percent over the same period in 2019.

BYD is the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It is an investment that has paid off handsomely, as Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value almost twenty-fold.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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
Acquisitions Berkadia

Berkadia Acquires LIHTC Advisors Brokerage

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkadia, Berkshire Hathaway’s joint venture with Jefferies Financial Group, has acquired LIHTC Advisors, an Idaho-based brokerage firm dedicated to providing full-service solutions for apartment investors and focusing on Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and other affordable housing properties.

Leading this team will be Jeff Irish and Brandon Grisham, former principals with LIHTC Advisors who, prior to joining Berkadia, have been involved in the sale of over $2 billion of affordable housing assets throughout the country.

The addition of LIHTC Advisors will broaden Berkadia Affordable’s market presence and support long-term strategic growth under the leadership of David Leopold, SVP and Head of Berkadia Affordable.

Irish and Grisham have been in the affordable housing brokerage business for a combined 19 years representing both general and limited partners. In 2019, they closed 53 transactions—and expect to exceed that in 2020.

“This is a huge step forward in Berkadia’s goal of expanding our affordable housing team, another investment in this critical space,” said Berkadia CEO Justin Wheeler. “Jeff, Brandon and their team bring a long and successful record of providing excellent advisory and client service—what Berkadia is known for in this asset class and in our industry.”

This investment advances Berkadia’s strategic growth initiative in the affordable business. David Leopold joined as SVP and Head of Berkadia Affordable in 2019. Leopold leads the strategy of Berkadia Affordable’s Mortgage Banking, Investment Sales and recently integrated Tax Credit Syndication teams, which together deliver comprehensive capital and advisory services to support the growth of Berkadia’s affordable housing clients.

“We are thrilled to be adding such skilled affordable experts to further our goal to be the largest and most respected provider of capital and advisory services for affordable housing in the country,” said Leopold. “Jeff, Brandon and their entire team bring our suite of services and market presence to a new level, partnering with our clients to maximize the value and impact of their investments.”

“Joining the Berkadia team was an easy choice—our values of hard work, integrity and passion align with theirs, along with the promise to deliver exceptional client service,” said Grisham. Joining Irish and Grisham on the move is a team of brokers and technical experts dedicated to providing best in class analysis, marketing and sales execution.

In 2019, Berkadia’s loan origination volume was $27 billion, while its investment sales platform totaled $9 billion.

About Berkadia

Founded in 2009 as a 50/50 joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation (now known as Jefferies Financial Group), Berkadia is a third-party commercial mortgage servicer, as well as an approved lender for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD/FHA.

The company is among the top Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae multifamily lenders.

Berkadia owes its origins to GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation, which was acquired in 2009 by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Five Mile Capital Partners LLC, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. Christened Capmark Financial, the company had $10 billion of originations in 2008 and a servicing portfolio of more than $360 billion before running into bankruptcy in October 2009.

In a deal approved by the bankruptcy court, Capmark sold its mortgage loan and servicing to the newly formed Berkadia in a deal worth $515 million.

The deal brought Berkshire into the heart of the commercial loan serving business, and the company has one of the largest commercial real estate servicing portfolios.

© 2020 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
Appointments Lubrizol

Lubrizol Creates Corporate Ventures Group

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Lubrizol has formed Lubrizol Corporate Ventures group, which will be charged with growing the company in adjacent markets.

The group will be led by Deb Langer as Senior Vice President, Corporate Ventures, and includes innovators in Lubrizol’s walls working in partnership with inventors, start-ups and strategic minds and organizations to build new business opportunities that leverage the company’s strengths and enable sizable growth in new areas. Driven by a clear understanding of the markets across these opportunities, the Corporate Ventures team will work to address the unmet needs of those markets, utilizing Lubrizol’s extensive resources and expertise to develop, test, commercialize, and scale business opportunities to deliver sustainable growth.

Throughout her Lubrizol career, Deb has been on the forefront of growth and innovation, including imagining and building the origins of what is now Lubrizol Life Science, a business producing innovative science for beauty, home and healthcare applications. Most recently, Deb served as Corporate Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions and Consumer and Market Insights, and has held a variety of positions throughout the company spanning business management and technology leadership roles.

The company also has appointed Elizabeth (Beth) Grove as Chief Sustainability Officer. Sustainability continues to be an underpinning of Lubrizol’s strategy and serves as a vital driver to the long-term health and growth of the organization. In her new role, Beth will propel the company’s broad focus on sustainability, including environmental, social and governance disciplines, as well as oversee government affairs and community engagement. Beth also will continue to serve as President of The Lubrizol Foundation.

Since joining Lubrizol in 2007, Beth has served in various roles, including Global Director of Sustainability and Compliance for Lubrizol Life Science and as the company’s Chief Litigation Counsel. Beth joined Lubrizol from the Federal Trade Commission, where she was a trial attorney in the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Prior to that, Beth was a litigation attorney with Jones Day.

Beth replaces Julie Edgar as Chief Sustainability Officer as Julie takes on an exciting new opportunity as Vice President, Transportation, in the Lubrizol Additives business.

In this role, Julie will be accountable for growth in our Lubrizol Additives Transportation business. During her 25 years at Lubrizol, Julie has held a number of technology management positions across the business in Asia, Europe and North America. As Lubrizol’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, Julie helped to fully embed sustainability across the business, including how the company innovates, designs and produces products. This focus will be critical as Julie advances Lubrizol’s mission to help the world Move Cleaner, enabling a 50% reduction in vehicle emissions by 2040.

© 2020 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
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

Despite Pandemic, BYD Profits Soar

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Chinese battery and vehicle manufacturer BYD had a net profit of 1.66 billion yuan (roughly 242 million U.S. dollars) for the first half of 2020. The net profit rose 14.29 percent over the same period in 2019.

Through June 30, BYD had revenue of 60.5 billion yuan, down 2.7 percent year on year, according to BYD’s financial report filed with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Despite the global pandemic, BYD projects 2.8 billion yuan to 3 billion yuan of net profit in the first three quarters of this year, which would be an increase of 77.86 percent to 90.56 percent from the same period of 2019.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value almost twenty-fold.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a 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.