Berkshire Hathaway began as a textile manufacturer in 1839 before Warren Buffett took control in 1965, converting it into one of the world's largest holding companies spanning insurance, railroads, energy, and consumer goods.
The company holds over $300 billion in publicly traded equities and wholly owns more than 60 subsidiaries, serving tens of millions of customers across its operating businesses globally.
Berkshire Hathaway is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and trades on the NYSE under tickers BRK.A and BRK.B as a publicly listed conglomerate.
About Berkshire Hathaway
Sector
Financials / Diversified
Industry
Insurance & Holding Company
CEO
Greg Abel
Website
Headquarters
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Founded
1839
Status
Public (NYSE: BRK.A / BRK.B)
Berkshire Hathaway Founders
Oliver Chace
Founder of Valley Falls Company (1839 predecessor)
Warren Buffett
Acquired controlling interest 1965; Chairman & CEO until 2025
Charlie Munger
Vice Chairman (1978–2023)
Berkshire Hathaway History
1839
Oliver Chace founded the Valley Falls Company in Rhode Island, the textile mill that eventually merged to form Berkshire Hathaway in 1955.
1965
Warren Buffett gained controlling interest in the struggling textile company and began redirecting capital into insurance and investment holdings.
1967
Berkshire acquired National Indemnity Company, establishing the insurance float model that would fund decades of compounding investment returns.
2010
Berkshire completed its $44 billion acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the largest deal in company history and its biggest single bet on the US economy.
2025
Greg Abel succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO, completing a leadership transition that Buffett had signaled for years after more than six decades at the helm.
FAQs
Who owns Berkshire Hathaway?
Berkshire Hathaway is publicly traded. Warren Buffett remains the largest individual shareholder with roughly 14% of voting power. Institutional investors including Vanguard and BlackRock also hold significant stakes in BRK.A and BRK.B.
When did Berkshire Hathaway come out?
The company traces its roots to 1839 as a Rhode Island textile mill. The Berkshire Hathaway name formed through a 1955 merger. Warren Buffett took controlling interest in 1965 and transformed it into a diversified holding company.
Who made the Berkshire Hathaway logo?
The specific designer of the Berkshire Hathaway logo is not publicly documented. The company uses a minimal wordmark with no graphic symbol, consistent with Warren Buffett's longstanding preference for understated corporate branding.
Is Berkshire Hathaway an American company?
Yes. Berkshire Hathaway is an American company founded in Rhode Island in 1839 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. It is incorporated in Delaware and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.