Month: September 2026

Categories
Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen Recognizes 2026 Vendor of the Year Winners

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s International Dairy Queen Inc. (IDQ) has announced the winners of its 2026 Vendor of the Year awards, recognizing suppliers and distributors across the U.S. and Canada for their outstanding service to DQ® restaurants and franchise owners.

The awards were presented Sept. 16 during the DQ Supply Chain Summit 2026 at the Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

The U.S. honorees were McLane of Orlando, Florida, named U.S. Distributor of the Year; N. Wasserstrom of Columbus, Ohio, named U.S. Equipment Vendor of the Year; and The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, named U.S. Purchasing Vendor of the Year.

In Canada, Saputo Dairy Products Canada GP of Edmonton was recognized as Canada Dairy Vendor of the Year, Gordon Food Service’s Edmonton warehouse received Canada Distributor of the Year honors, and Grand River Foods of Cambridge, Ontario, was named Canada Purchasing Vendor of the Year.

“Success across the DQ system depends on strong, trusted supplier and distributor relationships,” said Dan Kropp, IDQ’s chief supply chain and development officer. “The year’s honorees consistently deliver high-quality products, equipment and distribution services that support our growth.”

The winning companies have longstanding relationships with DQ. Their years of service range from five years for Grand River Foods to 59 years for The Coca-Cola Company. The vendors provide a range of products and services, including food ingredients, beverages, kitchen equipment and distribution.

Based in Minneapolis, IDQ is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, the company develops, licenses and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries.

©2026 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, Tongyi Expand Partnership Beyond APAC

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol and Tongyi Petrochemical are broadening their long-standing APAC relationship into a global strategic partnership, with plans to collaborate on supply chains, customer development, lubricant formulations and specialty industrial products.

The expanded agreement moves the companies beyond a traditional additive supplier relationship toward deeper cooperation across the value chain, including joint product development, technical support and market expansion.

The partnership follows a recent visit by Tongyi Petrochemical General Manager Jia Li and a company delegation to Lubrizol’s manufacturing site, Innovation Center and APAC regional office in Singapore. The delegation met with Henry Liu, Lubrizol’s vice president for APAC, and the regional leadership team to discuss the next phase of cooperation.

Under the expanded arrangement, Lubrizol will use its global manufacturing and supply-chain network to support Tongyi’s international growth, including markets in Africa, the UAE and APAC. The companies plan to coordinate global sourcing with regional manufacturing and distribution to improve lead times, logistics efficiency and supply-chain resilience.

The two companies will also jointly pursue customers in China, including major OEMs and emerging market channels. Cooperation will cover the development process from identifying customer requirements and defining products through formulation, testing, validation and technical support.

The companies are also targeting lubricant products tailored to regional market requirements rather than simply exporting Chinese formulations. Planned projects include engine lubricants for alcohol-based fuels in the Americas, biodiesel-focused engine oils in APAC, and motorcycle lubricants meeting standards including JASO MA2 and JASO MB.

Beyond automotive lubricants, the partnership will expand into specialty industrial applications such as screw compressor oils and heat-transfer fluids. The companies intend to link market intelligence more closely with formulation, testing, certification and field application.

“Globalization means putting the right R&D, supply chain, manufacturing and service capabilities in the right markets, starting with local customer needs,” said Jia Li. “With Lubrizol’s global capabilities and our market expertise, we can accelerate the development and delivery of solutions that serve customers around the world.”

Liu said APAC would remain an important source of innovation for the partnership, providing market insights and application expertise that can be adapted and scaled for customers in other regions.

The expanded collaboration reflects a broader shift in the lubricant industry toward closer integration between additive suppliers and lubricant marketers, with speed to market, localized formulations and technical support becoming increasingly important competitive factors.

©2026 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: Ignore the Noise

In today’s whirlwind world of financial news, where stock prices can swing wildly within seconds, it’s easy for investors to get caught up in the market’s constant ups and downs. But Warren Buffett urges a different approach: ignore the noise.

At Berkshire Hathaway’s 1999 annual meeting, Buffett shared a key principle he and longtime partner Charlie Munger follow: “Charlie and I don’t think about the market. And Ben (Graham) didn’t very much.” Buffett even noted that Graham, his mentor, made a mistake by occasionally trying to value the overall market — a distraction from what really matters.

Instead, Buffett champions a focus on the fundamentals of individual businesses. He sees stocks not just as ticker symbols, but as pieces of real companies. By thoroughly understanding how those companies operate and what their long-term prospects are, investors can sidestep the emotional rollercoaster of market volatility.

In essence, Buffett’s advice is clear: successful investing isn’t about predicting market moves — it’s about owning solid businesses and holding them for the long haul.

Hear Buffett’s full explanation

See the complete Lessons From Warren Buffett series

© 2026 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 Promotes Katharina Rütz to Head of Executive & Professional Lines in Germany

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has promoted Katharina Rütz to Head of Executive & Professional Lines in Germany.

Rütz joined BHSI in 2021 and brings more than 13 years of experience in the German insurance market. She previously served as Head of Commercial Lines E&P in Germany and as Senior Underwriter, Directors & Officers.

“Kathi has been instrumental in the growth of our Executive & Professional Lines business in Germany,” said Andreas Krause, Head of DACH at BHSI. “Her leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to customers and brokers make her well suited to lead our team forward.”

Based in Cologne, Rütz will continue working with Dr. Carsten Keune, Head of Executive & Professional Lines, DACH, as she takes on her new leadership role.

©2026 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
GEICO

GEICO Partners With Napheesa Collier to Spotlight Women’s Basketball

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

GEICO has announced a new partnership with five-time WNBA All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, Minnesota Lynx forward and Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier, expanding the insurance company’s investment in women’s basketball.

The partnership builds on GEICO’s existing relationships with the WNBA and its athletes, as well as its recent partnership with the Minnesota Lynx. Through the collaboration, GEICO will highlight the personal stories behind Collier’s life as an elite athlete, entrepreneur and mother.

“We’ve said from the beginning that we don’t want to just put our logo on women’s basketball. We want to help tell the stories that deserve to be told,” said Arianna Orpello, GEICO’s Chief Marketing Officer.

Collier said the partnership reflects the importance of the people and communities that have supported her throughout her career. “My family, my teammates and the community that’s supported me throughout my career are a huge part of my story,” she said.

The collaboration will include social media content, community activations and appearances throughout the 2026 WNBA playoffs, offseason and Unrivaled’s third season, offering fans a closer look at Collier both on and off the court.

GEICO, founded in 1936, is the third-largest auto insurer in the United States and is a Berkshire Hathaway.

©2026 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
Jazwares

Jazwares Expands Hello Kitty and Friends Distribution to EMEA

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s toy company Jazwares has signed a licensing agreement with Sanrio GmbH to distribute its Hello Kitty and Friends toy range across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The agreement expands Jazwares’ existing partnership with Sanrio, following the launch of its Hello Kitty and Friends products in North and South America in 2024. The EMEA range will include plush, figures, playsets, vehicles and seasonal products featuring Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters, including Cinnamoroll, My Melody, Kuromi, Pompompurin, Pochacco, Kerokerokeroppi, Tuxedosam, Bad Badtz-Maru and Little Twin Stars.

Jazwares said the products will be available across key EMEA markets, targeting both children and collectors.

“We are delighted to expand and further strengthen our partnership to include toy distribution rights across EMEA,” said Jonny Taylor, SVP EMEA & APAC at Jazwares.

Silvia Figini, COO of Sanrio – EMEA, India and Oceania and Mr Men – Worldwide, said the agreement will expand Sanrio’s presence in the toy category and extend the reach of Hello Kitty and Friends in the region.

Hello Kitty debuted in 1974 and has since become one of Sanrio’s best-known characters. The EMEA expansion adds to Jazwares’ existing cross-category Hello Kitty and Friends business in the Americas.

©2026 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 Maria Victoria Valentin-Gamazo to Leadership Roles in Spain

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has appointed Maria Victoria Valentin-Gamazo (Mavi) as Head of Executive & Professional Lines (E&P) and Head of Customer and Broker Engagement (C&BE) for Spain.

In her new roles, Mavi will lead the underwriting and profitable growth of BHSI’s E&P portfolio in Spain, while also overseeing customer and broker engagement initiatives across the Spanish market. She will work closely with BHSI’s underwriting and claims teams to align product strategy, market priorities and service delivery.

“Mavi is a highly respected leader whose technical expertise and market perspective will be a tremendous asset as we continue to expand our presence and capabilities in Spain,” said Constanza Gállegos, Head of Spain at BHSI.

Mavi brings more than 20 years of industry experience, including 17 years leading Financial Lines businesses at a global insurer. Her expertise spans Financial Lines products, with a strong understanding of the Spanish and Portuguese markets.

She will be based at BHSI’s Madrid office.

©2026 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 Speculation Replaces Value

Warren Buffett has long observed that investor behavior tends to become increasingly speculative near the peak of a market cycle. As enthusiasm builds, many investors chase rising prices, often pushing valuations far beyond what underlying businesses are worth.

Buffett cautions that these periods of market frenzy make it much harder for disciplined investors to find attractive opportunities. Rather than following the crowd, he believes investors should remain focused on intrinsic value and exercise patience until prices become more reasonable.

In a CNBC interview in July 2026, Buffett summed up the challenge succinctly: “It’s tougher to find values when everybody is preferring gambling.” His observation serves as a reminder that successful investing often means resisting speculation and staying committed to a value-driven approach.

©2026 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
Announcements

Berkshire Hathaway Announces Leadership Change as Buffett Becomes Chairman Emeritus

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. announced Friday that Warren E. Buffett has been named Chairman Emeritus, effective immediately, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the company and its shareholders.

Buffett will remain a member of Berkshire’s Board of Directors and continue to provide his judgment and perspective. As part of the company’s long-standing succession plan, the board elected Howard G. Buffett, a Berkshire director since 1993, as Chairman of the Board. Susan L. Decker will continue as Lead Independent Director.

CEO Greg Abel said: “Warren’s impact on Berkshire and its owners is without parallel in the history of American business. The culture Warren built and the values he championed will remain at the heart of Berkshire, and Howard will be their guardian. We are grateful to Howard for the care, discipline, and deep understanding of Berkshire he will bring to his new role, and to Sue Decker for her continued leadership and valued contributions as Lead Independent Director.”

Howard Buffett has served since 1999 as chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which focuses on global food security and conflict mitigation. He previously served for nearly a decade as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Against Hunger for the World Food Programme and has held board positions at several major public and private companies.

©2026 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 and IMCD Expand Medical Polymer Partnership in China

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol, a global specialty chemicals company, has expanded its collaboration with specialty chemicals distributor and formulator IMCD to improve access to medical polymer solutions in China. Under the new agreement, IMCD will serve as an authorized distributor for Lubrizol’s medical polymers business in East China.

The partnership builds on Lubrizol and IMCD’s successful collaborations in Europe and North America and will expand access to Lubrizol’s medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) products. The agreement was signed during the 2026 International Medical Equipment Design and Technology Exhibition (Medtec China).

The move comes as China’s medical device industry continues to grow, with increasing investment in localized research, development and manufacturing by multinational and domestic companies. East China, in particular, is a major center for medical device innovation and manufacturing, creating strong demand for advanced, high-performance medical materials.

Lubrizol offers a broad portfolio of medical-grade TPU materials designed for healthcare applications ranging from short-term contact devices to long-term implantable products. Through the expanded partnership, the companies aim to provide medical device manufacturers with improved access to materials, technical support and services throughout product development and commercialization.

“By working more closely with IMCD, we can respond more effectively to customer needs and provide support throughout the product development and commercialization journey,” said Jane Cai, Senior Business Director, Lubrizol APAC. “This will help our customers bring innovative medical devices to market faster.”

©2026 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.