Month: March 2025

Categories
CORT

CORT Business Services Promotes J.T. Marcum to Executive Vice President

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

CORT Business Services, a Berkshire Hathaway company and the nation’s leading provider of furniture rental and transition services, has announced the promotion of Joseph (J.T.) Marcum to Executive Vice President, Corporate Operations and Supply Chain.

Since joining CORT in 2019 as Vice President of Business Strategy, Marcum has played a key role in advancing strategic initiatives in transportation, logistics, and supply chain management. His promotion to Corporate Vice President in 2021 expanded his responsibilities to housewares, product development, freight, logistics, real estate, and contract management. His leadership has significantly improved efficiency, consistency, and profitability across these areas.

“I’m honored to step into this role and continue working alongside such a talented team,” said Marcum. “CORT’s strength lies in its ability to adapt and improve, and I look forward to further optimizing our supply chain and logistics to better serve our clients.”

A dedicated LEAN Manufacturing practitioner, Marcum emphasizes efficiency-driven strategies while maintaining a strong customer focus. In 2023, he earned his Certificate in Production and Inventory Planning (CPIM) from the Association of Supply Chain Management Professionals, further solidifying his expertise.

“J.T. has an exceptional ability to tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful improvements,” said Paula Newell, Chief Operating Officer. “His leadership has already made a measurable impact, and I’m excited to see how he continues to shape CORT’s future.”

A graduate of Ball State University, Marcum is also an active alumni volunteer for Sigma Phi Epsilon. He resides in Brambleton, VA, with his wife, Kristin, and their dog, Brodie. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and exploring Northern Virginia’s wine country.

With this promotion, Marcum will report directly to Newell, guiding CORT’s operational and supply chain strategy to ensure continued innovation and customer-focused solutions.

© 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
Value Investing

Lessons From Warren Buffett: Steer Clear of Fading Businesses

Investors are often tempted by the seemingly low prices of shares in declining businesses, especially when these companies pay attractive dividends. However, Warren Buffett strongly advises against this approach, despite starting his career by investing in what he called “cigar butt” businesses—companies offering just a few remaining puffs of profitability.

Buffett emphasizes that focusing on healthier, growing businesses yields better long-term results. “The same amount of energy and intelligence brought to other types of businesses is just going to work out better,” he said during the 2012 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting.

He warned that declining businesses often come with unrealistic projections and limited future potential. “If you really think a business is declining, most of the time you should avoid it,” Buffett noted. Instead, he highlighted that the greatest returns come from investing in companies with solid growth prospects, urging investors to prioritize such opportunities over short-lived bargains.

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
Johns Manville

Berkshire’s Johns Manville to Add Over 350 Jobs with New Insulation Production Line in Georgia

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Johns Manville (JM), a global building and specialty products manufacturer and a Berkshire Hathaway company, has announced plans to build a new Climate Pro blowing wool production line in Winder, GA.

“This new production line in Winder will help JM meet our customers’ growing demand for blowing wool,” said Bob Wamboldt, President and CEO of Johns Manville.

Construction is set to begin early next year, with operations expected to start by mid-2027. Upon completion, JM will employ over 350 people in Winder.

Greg Clarke, President of JM’s Insulation Systems business, emphasized the strategic location, noting that increased capacity in the Southeast will enhance service to East Coast and Central U.S. markets.

Climate Pro blown-in fiberglass insulation provides consistent coverage, filling hard-to-reach spaces for better energy efficiency and comfort in homes. It is widely used in attics and net-and-blow systems, offering quick and efficient installation by professionals.

© 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
BYD

BYD Energy Storage and Saudi Electricity Company Sign Landmark Energy Storage Deal

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BYD Energy Storage, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD, has signed the world’s largest grid-scale energy storage project contract with Saudi Electricity Company. The agreement covers a capacity of 12.5GWh, bringing their total cooperation to 15.1GWh, including a previously delivered 2.6GWh project. This milestone significantly advances Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy goals under Vision 2030.

The partnership highlights Saudi Electricity Company’s commitment to integrating advanced energy storage technologies to optimize energy efficiency. The new Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will be installed across five sites, utilizing BYD’s cutting-edge MC Cube-T ESS equipped with CTS (Cell-to-System) technology. With a Vcts index exceeding 33%, the systems will bolster grid stability, support peak energy demands, and facilitate the transition to renewable energy.

With 17 years of expertise in energy storage, BYD has delivered over 75GWh of BESS equipment across 350 projects in more than 110 countries. This latest collaboration marks a new milestone, reinforcing BYD’s leadership in the global energy storage industry.

© 2025 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
Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: Growth Is a Key Component of Value

Amid debates about growth versus value stocks, Warren Buffett emphasizes that growth itself is a form of value. Using GEICO as an example, he explains that projected growth can enhance a company’s assets and, in the case of insurers, its float—provided the growth is predictable.

Speaking at the 2012 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffett highlighted GEICO’s potential: “I think it’s quite rational to assume a significant underwriting profit at GEICO over the next decade or two, and I think it’s likely that it will have significant growth. Both of those are items of enormous value.”

By adding projected growth to the current float value, Buffett underscores how future expansion can contribute meaningfully to a company’s overall valuation.

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.