Category: Acquisitions

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Acquisitions

Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire OxyChem from Occidental

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway and Occidental today announced a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire Occidental’s chemical business, OxyChem, in an all-cash transaction for $9.7 billion, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.

OxyChem is a global manufacturer of commodity chemicals vital to quality of life, with applications in water treatment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and commercial and residential development.

“This transaction strengthens our financial position and catalyzes a significant resource opportunity we’ve been building in our oil and gas business for the last decade. I’m incredibly proud of the impressive work the team has done to create this strategic opportunity that will unlock 20+ years of low-cost resource runway and deliver meaningful near and long-term value,” said Vicki Hollub, President and Chief Executive Officer. “OxyChem has grown under Occidental into a well-run, safely operated business with best-in-class employees, and we are confident the business and those employees will continue to thrive under Berkshire Hathaway’s ownership.”

“Berkshire is acquiring a robust portfolio of operating assets, supported by an accomplished team,” said Greg Abel, Vice Chairman of Non-Insurance Operations at Berkshire. “We look forward to welcoming OxyChem as an operating subsidiary within Berkshire. We commend Vicki and the Occidental team for their commitment to Occidental’s long-term financial stability, as demonstrated by their plan to use proceeds to reinforce the company’s balance sheet.”

Occidental expects to use $6.5 billion of the transaction proceeds to reduce debt and achieve the target of principal debt below $15 billion set following the December 2023 announcement of its CrownRock acquisition. An Occidental subsidiary will retain OxyChem’s legacy environmental liabilities, and Glenn Springs Holdings Inc. will continue to manage existing remedial projects for that subsidiary.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Berkshire already owns the Lubrizol Corporation, an American provider of specialty chemicals for the transportation, industrial and consumer markets.

© 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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Acquisitions

Berkshire Hathaway Acquires Global Rodent Control Leader Bell Laboratories

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway has completed its latest acquisition, adding Bell Laboratories of Windsor, Wisconsin, to its portfolio. The deal closed on July 31, bringing into the fold a company that fits Warren Buffett’s preference for businesses with stable, long-term revenue streams.

Founded in 1974 by Malcolm Stack, Bell Laboratories began with a single product, Rodent Cake, and has since grown into a global leader in rodent control. The company manufactures a wide range of products—including rodenticides, tamper-resistant bait stations, glue boards, traps, and attractants—sold across six continents to pest control and agricultural industries.

Bell has distinguished itself through continuous research and development, registering more rodenticide products with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency than any other American manufacturer. It is also unique in synthesizing its own anticoagulant and acute technical materials, ensuring full control over product quality.

With more than 600,000 square feet of facilities at its Windsor headquarters and a growing international presence, Bell Laboratories has firmly established itself as a global powerhouse in pest management—now under the Berkshire Hathaway umbrella.

© 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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Acquisitions

Berkshire’s Marmon Aerospace & Defense Acquires Marine Tech Wire & Cable

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Marmon Aerospace & Defense Group, a division of Marmon Holdings, Inc. and a Berkshire Hathaway company, has successfully acquired Marine Tech Wire & Cable, Inc., a specialized manufacturer of circuit integrity cables used in U.S. Navy ships.

Founded in 2000 and based in York, PA, Marine Tech enhances Marmon A&D’s portfolio with its expertise in power, specialty, lightweight, low smoke, silicone, and watertight cabling for mission-critical shipboard applications. The acquisition strengthens Marmon’s ability to provide high-performance solutions with increased capacity and reduced lead times.

Charles Clement, President of Marmon A&D Group, highlighted the benefits of the acquisition, stating that it complements their newly opened Hooksett, NH marine power cable facility. Senior Vice President Robert Canny emphasized that Marine Tech’s expertise aligns perfectly with Marmon’s shipboard product line, enhancing support for Navy ship contracts.

Marine Tech owners Mark Lindsay and Kostanis Contanious expressed enthusiasm for joining Marmon, noting that the partnership will add value for customers. Both will remain with the business to support its ongoing growth.

© 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
Acquisitions Pilot Flying J

Berkshire Acquires Remaining 20 Percent of Pilot From Haslems

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway now has another wholly-owned company, as it has completed its purchase of the remaining 20 percent share of the Pilot Corporation that the Haslems owned.

Recently, the two sides had settled their dispute over the valuation of the remaining 20 percent share of the Pilot Corporation that the Haslems owned.

The Haslem family had sued Berkshire contending that its change to pushdown accounting had hurt their valuation in regards to Berkshire’s buyout of the remaining 20 percent stake that the Haslems still owned of the travel center company. Berkshire counter sued contending that the Haslems had illegally engaged in a bribery scheme where top executives received payments in exchange for inflating earnings in a manner that would benefit Haslems on the price Berkshire would ultimately pay to the Haslems.

The matter was due to be fought out in two-day trial in early January in Delaware court, but a settlement ended all litigation.

On Tuesday, Berkshire Hathaway announced that “Pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement reached with Pilot Corporation, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has acquired Pilot Corporation’s remaining 20% interest in Pilot Travel Centers LLC effective today. Berkshire Hathaway now owns 100% of Pilot Travel Centers.”

© 2024 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 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
Acquisitions BNSF

BNSF Railway Takes Control of Montana Rail Link Route in Strategic Move

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Effective January 1, 2024, the BNSF Railway Company has assumed control of the route previously served by the Montana Rail Link (MRL), marking a significant development in the railway industry. The decision, initially announced in January 2022, represents a shift in operational responsibility that has been in effect since 1987 when MRL secured a lease on the track from BNSF.

Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Montana Rail Link is a Class II regional railroad overseeing a vast network of over 900 route miles in Montana and Idaho, boasting a workforce of nearly 1,200 employees.

In a January 2022 memo to MRL employees, President Derek Ollmann first unveiled the transition, detailing BNSF’s assumption of operation and maintenance responsibilities. Notably, Ollmann reassured employees that their positions would be maintained under BNSF’s management.

“BNSF operating the line as part of their network will ensure competitive access to global markets while continuing to provide consistent and reliable service for our customers,” Ollmann emphasized in his communication to the MRL team, highlighting the potential benefits of the change.

Ollmann further noted that a substantial 90% of the volume on the MRL route was attributed to BNSF trains, underscoring the significance of the move for both companies.

In a positive development, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) approved a new labor agreement in October 2022. According to MRL, this agreement includes negotiated implementing agreements with MRL’s unions, including BLET, offering enhanced benefits beyond the requirements outlined by the Oregon Short Line for MRL employees transitioning to employment with BNSF.

The strategic move by Berkshire Hathaway’s BNSF Railway Company not only signifies a change in the operational landscape but also reflects a commitment to maintaining a robust and competitive railway network, ultimately benefiting employees and ensuring continued service excellence for customers.

© 2024 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 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.

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Acquisitions

Pilot Company Is Now a Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiary

Berkshire Hathaway has moved from a minority ownership stake to a majority ownership stake in Pilot Company, the largest operator of truck stops and rest stops in North America.

In January, Berkshire acquired its long-planned 80 percent equity position in Pilot from the Haslam family, and the family continues to have a 20 percent stake in the company.

In 2017, Berkshire took a 38.6% stake in Pilot, which has 800 locations under the Pilot and Flying J brands.

Pilot is currently in the midst of its three-year $1 billion New Horizons project that is its most significant investment in store modernization to date. It will fully remodel more than 400 Pilot and Flying J travel centers and make additional upgrades at several more locations across the country.

© 2023 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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Acquisitions

Marmon Holdings Acquires AP Emissions Technologies

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Marmon Holdings Inc. has acquired AP Emissions Technologies, a leading innovator of emissions control products serving the North American automotive aftermarket. The company is one of the largest tubing manufacturers in the U.S., producing 6,000 miles of tubing per year.

The acquisition was effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Goldsboro, North Carolina, AP Emissions Technologies is a vertically integrated manufacturing operation with plants in Hobart, Indiana, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

In total, the company employs more than 750 people.

“Marmon was the right buyer for our employees, our customers and our suppliers to take AP to the next level and carry on the company mission,” noted previous owner Vange Proimos. “AP and Marmon have the same principles: investing in its most valuable asset, its people, while remaining focused on developing category leading innovations for the customer.”

The AP management team will continue to lead the business under the leadership of Rich Biel, president and longtime Marmon executive. “I am excited to work with Gary Nix and the whole AP team as we begin this new chapter of an outstanding company,” Biel said. “As part of Marmon, AP will accelerate investments in innovation and automation to make our products even better and grow in value to our customers.”

© 2023 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 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
Acquisitions

Berkshire’s Exponential Technology Group Acquires Braemac Pty Ltd.

Berkshire Hathaway, through one of its subsidiaries, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Braemac Pty Ltd., a specialist in product design, development, testing, and the supply of semiconductors, systems, and electronic components. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Braemac is based in Sydney, Australia, with 17 offices globally and offers support from design through to product realization, driving innovation with industry-leading semiconductor and electronic component partners providing extensive design and supply chain management expertise.

“We welcome the Braemac team to the XTG family of companies,” said Glenn Smith, acting President of the Exponential Technology Group. “Braemac brings a very experienced management team and a business model that fits extremely well into XTG’s vision of helping engineers solve technical problems as well as having the experience and expertise to design a customer’s smart product from scratch, and then managing the bill-of-materials and supply chain through production.”

Behind these companies lies even more – the strength of XTG’s parent company, Mouser Electronics, a global authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronics components, recognized as the world leader in the introduction of new products with the widest selection of in-stock products for new designs.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of TTI Inc., Mouser and XTG are part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies.

According to Braemac President Jonathan Mitchell, “The Exponential Technology Group is a great fit for Braemac. Companies within XTG maintain their own areas of expertise and focus while collaborating within the group to deliver new technological solutions globally.”

Exponential Technology Group (XTG) is a collection of companies specializing in designing products and supplying semiconductors and electronic components that enable smart electronic systems in automotive, medical, wireless, industrial, and IoT.

XTG operates as an independent member of Berkshire Hathaway’s Mouser and TTI family of companies.

The companies within the XTG group include the Design Services Companies of BGM Electronic Services, Connected Development, and Paragon Innovations, plus the supply chain experts and specialty semiconductor distributors of RFMW Ltd, Symmetry Electronics, Changnam I.N.T. LTD.

© 2022 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 a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance

Categories
Acquisitions

Berkshire Hathaway Acquires Alleghany Corporation

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway and Alleghany Corporation have announced the completion of Berkshire Hathaway’s acquisition of Alleghany.

Holders of Alleghany common stock as of immediately prior to the closing of the transaction are entitled to receive $848.02 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately $11.6 billion.

Upon the closing of the transaction, Alleghany became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Alleghany continues to be led by Joe Brandon.

Founded in 1929 by Oris and Mantis Van Sweringen as five railroad systems, the company eventually evolved into a holding company that owns and supports certain operating subsidiaries and investments, anchored by a core position in property and casualty reinsurance and insurance. The company’s primary sources of revenues and earnings are from reinsurance and insurance operations and investments. The insurers include: Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., RSUI Group, Inc., a leading underwriter of wholesale specialty insurance based in Atlanta, Georgia, and CapSpecialty, Inc., an underwriter of a full inventory of specialty lines, including commercial property, casualty, fidelity, surety and professional lines with a focus on small business on both an admitted and non-admitted basis.

Alleghany also generate revenues and earnings from a diverse portfolio of non-financial businesses that are owned and managed through its wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Capital.

© 2022 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 a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is

Categories
Acquisitions

Berkshire Hathaway and Alleghany Receive Regulatory Approvals for Merger

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway and Alleghany Corporation have announced that all regulatory approvals relating to the proposed acquisition of Alleghany by Berkshire Hathaway have been received.

As previously announced, the stockholders of Alleghany voted to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 2022, at a special meeting held on June 9, 2022. The completion of the proposed transaction is currently expected to occur on October 19, 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Berkshire Hathaway will acquire all outstanding Alleghany shares for $848.02 per share in cash.

Founded in 1929 by Oris and Mantis Van Sweringen as five railroad systems, Alleghany eventually evolved into a holding company that owns and supports certain operating subsidiaries and investments, anchored by a core position in property and casualty reinsurance and insurance. The company’s primary sources of revenues and earnings are from reinsurance and insurance operations and investments. The insurers include: Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., RSUI Group, Inc., a leading underwriter of wholesale specialty insurance based in Atlanta, Georgia, and CapSpecialty, Inc., an underwriter of a full inventory of specialty lines, including commercial property, casualty, fidelity, surety and professional lines with a focus on small business on both an admitted and non-admitted basis.

Alleghany also generate revenues and earnings from a diverse portfolio of non-financial businesses that are owned and managed through its wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Capital.

© 2022 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 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.