Month: April 2025

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Lubrizol

Lubrizol and Palmer Holland Partner to Expand Nutraceutical Reach in Northeastern U.S.

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol has announced a new distribution partnership with Palmer Holland, Inc., aiming to expand access to its innovative ingredient solutions across the nutraceutical, dietary supplement, and food and beverage markets in the Northeastern United States.

The collaboration is set to meet rising demand for Lubrizol’s microencapsulation technology, which enhances ingredient delivery and bioavailability—key factors in creating effective and enjoyable nutraceutical products. Lubrizol’s European-manufactured portfolio includes branded microcapsules such as LIPOFER™ (iron), MAGSHAPE™ (magnesium), ZINCNOVA™ (zinc), CURCUSHINE™ (curcumin), NEWCAFF™ (caffeine), LIPOPHYTOL™ (phytosterols), and LIPOCAL™ (calcium).

“Recent clinical and consumer studies have confirmed the benefits of our microencapsulation technology in both taste and absorption,” said Ricardo Pereira, Senior Director at Lubrizol. “Through our partnership with Palmer Holland, we can bring these innovations to more consumers.”

Palmer Holland’s Vice President of Consumer & Life Sciences, Bret Horace, added, “Lubrizol’s focus on quality aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver forward-thinking ingredient solutions. Together, we’re enabling the creation of healthier, better-tasting nutraceutical products.”

The partnership marks a strategic step in enhancing product performance and accessibility across a growing health-focused market.

© 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 Launches ‘Miles of Good’ to Drive Community Impact

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Pilot, a Berkshire Hathaway company and North America’s leading energy and travel center operator, has introduced a new corporate giving initiative called Miles of Good. Rooted in the company’s purpose of showing people they matter, the program aims to create meaningful change through charitable donations, volunteerism, and local partnerships.

“At Pilot, people matter — and giving is another way we can show them that’s true,” said CEO Adam Wright. Miles of Good will focus on three core areas: safety, education, and support for veterans.

The initiative will fund and support safety programs, expand access to education — especially in STEM fields — and honor veterans by helping them transition to civilian life and careers. In 2023 alone, Pilot donated over $5.5 million to causes aligned with these values.

“What makes Miles of Good special is how it empowers our team members to make a difference,” said Meg Counts, Director of Corporate Giving and Events. The initiative encourages Pilot’s 30,000 team members to volunteer and contribute directly to their communities.

Complementing the new program, Pilot has also launched Pilot Cares, an assistance fund to help employees facing personal hardships, such as medical emergencies or disaster recovery.

With Miles of Good, Pilot is reinforcing its commitment to people and communities, paving the way for a more positive and connected future. More information is available at pilotflyingj.com/miles-of-good.

© 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.

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McLane

Berkshire’s McLane and Wawa Expand Partnership to Fuel Regional Growth

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s McLane Company, one of America’s largest distributors, is expanding its long-standing partnership with Wawa, a leading convenience store chain, to support Wawa’s rapid growth across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.

The enhanced partnership includes expanded distribution services from McLane’s Bluegrass center in Hebron, Kentucky, which will now supply new Wawa locations in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. This move aligns with Wawa’s broader strategy to enter and grow in new markets.

“For over 20 years, we’ve proudly partnered with Wawa,” said Vito Maurici, McLane’s Chief Customer Experience Officer. “This next step reflects our continued commitment to supporting their growth through our nationwide network and tailored product offerings.”

Wawa, known for its innovative foodservice and customer-centric approach, relies on McLane’s extensive distribution infrastructure, including over 80 centers nationwide, to meet increasing demand for fresh, high-quality convenience foods. McLane now services more than 1,100 Wawa stores from centers in Kentucky, Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida.

“As we expand into new regions, strong partnerships like the one with McLane help us deliver the service, quality, and value our customers expect,” said Brian Schaller, Wawa’s President. “Together, we’re bringing our best-in-class foodservice program to even more communities.”

McLane’s advanced logistics, technology, and cold chain capabilities will be key to ensuring Wawa maintains high service standards and operational efficiency as it grows its footprint.

© 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
Appointments

BHSI Appoints New Leaders in Ireland

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has announced key leadership changes in its Ireland operations, naming Caoimhe Gormley as Country Manager and Ciaran Reddin as Head of Executive & Professional (E&P) Lines.

Alessandro Cerase, Head of Europe at BHSI, praised their contributions, stating, “Caoimhe and Ciaran are proven leaders who embody BHSI’s customer-first values and culture. Their expertise has been instrumental in our growth in Ireland.”

Caoimhe Gormley, with 17 years of industry experience, joined BHSI in 2018 as Head of E&P Lines and later took on the role of Head of Customer & Broker Engagement. She succeeds Louise Kidd and will continue to lead customer and broker relations alongside her new responsibilities.

Ciaran Reddin, who joined BHSI in 2019, previously led Professional Indemnity and Cyber lines. With over a decade of experience, he now steps into his new role overseeing E&P Lines in Ireland.

BHSI continues to expand its presence in Ireland, offering a range of property, casualty, and E&P insurance solutions, as well as multinational programs.

© 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.

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Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: The Shorter the Hold, the Greater the Risk

Warren Buffett has long emphasized the relationship between risk and the amount of time you hold a stock, arguing that they are inextricably linked. According to Buffett, the shorter the time horizon for holding an asset, the greater the risk. This is particularly evident in day trading, where the potential for short-term price movements can lead to significant losses.

At the 1994 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffett explained that if you plan to buy a stock like XYZ Corporation at 11:30 AM and sell it by the close of the same day, the risk of harm or injury is much higher. He noted that there’s a 50% chance that such a transaction could lead to a loss. On the other hand, if you buy a company with a long-term perspective, such as Coca-Cola, the risk decreases significantly. Buffett pointed out that when you hold an asset for an extended period, the risk of losing money is minimal, even if you bought it at a higher price years ago. However, he warned that buying Coca-Cola this morning and selling it the next day would be a risky move, as short-term fluctuations in stock prices could lead to significant uncertainty.

In essence, Buffett’s philosophy highlights the importance of having a long-term investment strategy to minimize risk and maximize potential returns.

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
Appointments

HomeServices of America Announces Leadership Transition

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway company and the nation’s leading provider of homeownership services, has announced a significant leadership change. Gino Blefari, who has served as President and CEO for over five years, will now take on the role of Chairman Emeritus. Chris Kelly, currently Executive Vice President, will step into the role of President and CEO, effective immediately.

Blefari, a respected figure in the real estate industry, will remain involved as a strategic advisor, particularly supporting the growth and development of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise network. Reflecting on his tenure, Blefari said, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as President and CEO. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited to support the new leadership as they take HomeServices into its next chapter.”

Kelly brings over 25 years of experience to his new role, with a background in law and a deep history with HomeServices, including leadership roles at ReeceNichols and the Ebby Halliday Companies.

“I’m humbled to follow in Gino’s footsteps,” said Kelly. “HomeServices’ true strength is our people. Our focus remains on supporting them across all aspects of real estate—brokerage, mortgage, title, insurance, and franchise—as they serve their clients and communities. Together, we will shape the future of real estate.”

© 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 Launches Its Largest Car Carrier, Strengthening Global Shipping Network

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway-backed Chinese automaker BYD has officially launched the BYD XI’AN, the sixth and largest vessel in its growing fleet of roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) car carriers. With a capacity to transport 9,200 vehicles, this advanced ship marks another significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy.

BYD began investing in its own shipping fleet roughly three years ago, making it the only car manufacturer in the world with a dedicated maritime logistics network. This move supports BYD’s ambitious goal of selling 800,000 vehicles overseas in 2025, out of a projected total of 5.5 million. The new vessel further solidifies the company’s control over its international supply chain and underscores its growing influence in the global automotive market.

© 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
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

BHSI Announces Key Leadership Changes in North America Casualty Division

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has announced several strategic leadership appointments to strengthen its North America casualty operations.

Matt Hale has been named Head of U.S. Casualty Underwriting Operations, where he will lead BHSI’s regional casualty underwriting teams across the U.S. and collaborate with Galan Riley, Head of Casualty, Canada, to align North American strategies. Hale is based in Chicago.

Marcie Stephan steps into the role of Head of Casualty, U.S. Central Region, overseeing all casualty underwriting teams in the Central U.S., excluding construction. She is also based in Chicago.

John Roe takes on the position of Head of North American Construction, where he will lead underwriting for Construction Casualty, Construction Professional Liability, and Homebuilders Liability. He will also support the expansion of construction casualty operations and align U.S. and Canadian strategies alongside Galan Riley. Roe is based in New York.

“BHSI takes great pride in building long-term relationships with our casualty customers and brokers,” said Kathy Reid, Head of Casualty, North America. “These appointments highlight the strength of our internal talent and our commitment to delivering solutions backed by our ‘CLAIMS IS OUR PRODUCT’ philosophy and financial strength.”

© 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: More Than One Way to Get Rich

Warren Buffett is often regarded as the ultimate investor, but he doesn’t believe there’s only one way to achieve financial success. His perspective on investing emphasizes that different strategies can work, depending on the investor’s approach and skillset.

At the 1994 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffett explained, “I’ve said in investing, in the past, that there’s more than one way to get to heaven. And there isn’t a true religion in this, but there’s some very useful religions.”

This insight highlights that while Buffett’s limited portfolio strategy has been incredibly successful, other methods—such as Peter Lynch’s growth-oriented approach with a much more diversified portfolio—can also yield great results. The key is finding a disciplined, well-researched strategy that aligns with one’s expertise and risk tolerance.

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
BNSF

BNSF Collaboration Slashes Transit Time on PNW-Chicago Route

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BNSF Railway, in partnership with Norfolk Southern (NS) and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), has launched a redesigned intermodal rail service that reduces transit time by three days for freight moving from the Pacific Northwest (PNW) to Chicago and beyond.

The new Inland Point Intermodal (IPI) service features a more efficient process at the NWSA ports of Seattle and Tacoma, where trains will now be built in under two days. This accelerated turnaround enables seamless transfer via BNSF’s Northern Transcon route, improving speed and consistency for shippers.

“This collaboration is the result of listening to our customers, who want to shift more freight to rail while lowering inventory and transportation costs,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF Group Vice President, Consumer Products.

Thanks to operational enhancements, NWSA now reports the lowest rail dwell time in the U.S. so far this year. The updated service delivers cargo from ship to Chicago in just six days—the fastest transit time from any PNW port.

Norfolk Southern and BNSF will streamline the journey further by consolidating handoffs at a single Chicago location (NS-Ashland), facilitating quick crew swaps before cargo continues to inland destinations such as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“This partnership is a great example of how we can innovate to meet the evolving needs of shippers,” added NWSA CEO John Wolfe.

The new service is effective immediately.

© 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.