Deal Timeline

Plotted by close date where disclosed, otherwise announcement. Select any marker to jump to the deal entry.

The Rationale That Repeats.

Three patterns show up across Berkshire Hathaway's deal book — what the team buys, how it pays, and how it integrates. The patterns are the throughline; the deals below are the evidence.

01
Acquisition criteria
Buy whole, hold forever.
Berkshire acquires businesses outright and keeps them permanently rather than flipping them. On the BNSF deal Warren Buffett described the horizon plainly - "If we're going to hold something for a hundred years, the next week or month or year doesn't really make any difference... We're in for keeps." The company repeatedly buys the shares it does not already own (BNSF, Iscar, Marmon, Pilot) to take full control of businesses it knows well.
Precision Castparts Corp.Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF)H.J. Heinz CompanyThe Lubrizol CorporationAlleghany Corporation
02
Capital deployment
Insurance float funds everything else.
The reinsurance and insurance acquisitions - General Re (1998), MLMIC (2018) and Alleghany (2022) - generate large pools of investable float that finance Berkshire's purchases of capital-intensive railroads, utilities and manufacturers. Alleghany alone came with roughly $19.7 billion of cash and investments at closing.
Precision Castparts Corp.Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF)H.J. Heinz CompanyThe Lubrizol CorporationAlleghany Corporation
03
Integration approach
Autonomy for able managers.
Berkshire acquires companies with strong existing leadership and leaves them in place. Buffett's instruction to Lubrizol's CEO captured the approach - "just keep doing for us what you have done so successfully for your shareholders." Marmon, Clayton, Iscar and others continued to run as autonomous units under their own management after joining Berkshire.
Precision Castparts Corp.Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF)H.J. Heinz CompanyThe Lubrizol CorporationAlleghany Corporation

The Full Deal Book

18 acquisitions. Each entry carries the deal value, financing structure, target revenue, executive commentary, and the original SEC filing — the evidence behind the patterns above.

01 Precision Castparts Corp. $37.2B
Announced Aug 2015 Closed Jan 2016 All cash
Investment castingsforgingsfasteners and fastener systemsaerostructures

Precision Castparts makes complex metal components and products, including investment castings, forgings, fasteners and fastener systems, and aerostructures used in critical aerospace and power-and-energy applications. Berkshire agreed to buy all outstanding PCC common stock for $235 per share in cash and closed the deal on January 29, 2016, funding it with cash on hand plus $10 billion drawn under a 364-day revolving credit line that was later repaid from a note issuance. Approximately $37.2 billion including assumed debt ($235 per share; aggregate consideration ~$32.7 billion including PCC shares Berkshire already held).

Why it was attractive
  • Market-leading
  • hard-to-replicate aerospace and industrial castings/forgings franchise with durable demand
Berkshire acquired all outstanding common stock of Precision Castparts Corp. for $235 per share in cash pursuant to a definitive merger agreement dated August 8, 2015. The aggregate consideration paid was approximately $32.7 billion, which included the value of PCC shares we already owned.Berkshire Hathaway FY2016 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
02 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF) $34B
Announced Nov 2009 Closed Feb 2010 Combination
Class I freight railroad network across the western United States

Berkshire, which already held about 22.6% of BNSF, agreed on November 2, 2009 to acquire the remaining shares of the railroad for $100 per share in a cash-and-stock deal, and it approved a 50-for-1 split of its Class B stock so that even small BNSF holders could elect a tax-free share exchange. BNSF operates one of North America's largest freight rail networks. Approximately $34 billion for the ~77.4% Berkshire did not already own ($100 per share); ~$44 billion enterprise value including assumed debt.

Why it was attractive
  • Irreplaceable rail infrastructure with pricing power and a fuel-efficiency edge over trucking
If we're going to hold something for a hundred years, the next week or month or year doesn't really make any difference... We're in for keeps.Warren Buffett — Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway (CNBC interview filed under Rule 425)
Warren, your 34 billion dollar deal is the largest that Berkshire Hathaway has ever completed.Becky Quick — CNBC (Rule 425 filing)
03 H.J. Heinz Company · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania $28B
Announced Feb 2013 Closed Jun 2013 Combination
Global ketchupcondiments and packaged-food brands

Berkshire teamed with 3G Capital to take the H.J. Heinz Company private, with Heinz shareholders receiving $72.50 per share in cash in a transaction valued at $28 billion including assumed debt. Berkshire signed an equity commitment letter to purchase $12.12 billion of equity securities in the acquisition holding company, and Heinz stayed headquartered in Pittsburgh. The stake became part of Kraft Heinz after Heinz merged with Kraft Foods in 2015. $28 billion enterprise value ($72.50 per share); Berkshire equity commitment of $12.12 billion (alongside 3G Capital).

Why it was attractive
  • Durable global consumer brands paired with 3G's operating discipline
The Heinz brand is one of the most respected brands in the global food industry and this historic transaction provides tremendous value to Heinz shareholders.William R. Johnson — Chairman, President and CEO, H.J. Heinz Company
04 The Lubrizol Corporation · Wickliffe, Ohio $9.7B
Announced Mar 2011 Closed Sep 2011 All cash
Lubricant additivesspecialty chemicalsadvanced materials

Berkshire agreed to acquire 100% of Lubrizol, a specialty-chemicals maker and global leader in lubricant additives, for $135 per share in cash, a roughly 28% premium, in a deal valued at about $9.7 billion including net debt. Lubrizol kept its headquarters in Wickliffe, Ohio and CEO James Hambrick continued to run the business. Approximately $9.7 billion including ~$0.7 billion net debt ($135 per share).

Why it was attractive
  • Global leadership in high-margin lubricant additives with a strong management team
Lubrizol is exactly the sort of company with which we love to partner - the global leader in several market applications run by a talented CEO, James Hambrick. Our only instruction to James - just keep doing for us what you have done so successfully for your shareholders.Warren Buffett — Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway
05 Alleghany Corporation · New York, New York $11.5B
Announced Mar 2022 Closed Oct 2022 All cash
Property/casualty reinsurance and insurancediversified non-financial businesses

Berkshire acquired New York-based Alleghany Corporation, whose operating subsidiaries include property-and-casualty reinsurance and insurance businesses (led by TransRe) plus a portfolio of non-financial companies, for approximately $11.5 billion. Alleghany held about $19.7 billion of cash and investments at the acquisition date.

Why it was attractive
  • Established reinsurance franchise with substantial investable float
On October 19, 2022, we acquired Alleghany Corporation for $11.5 billion, which held cash and investments of $19.7 billion as of the acquisition date.Berkshire Hathaway FY2022 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
06 Pilot Travel Centers, LLC (Pilot / Flying J) · Knoxville, Tennessee $8.2B
Announced Oct 2017 Closed Jan 2023 Combination
Interstate travel centersdiesel and retail fuel distribution

Berkshire first bought a 38.6% interest in Pilot Travel Centers in October 2017 and accounted for it under the equity method. On January 31, 2023 it acquired an additional 41.4% interest for about $8.2 billion, gaining control and consolidating Pilot, the largest operator of travel centers in North America (Pilot and Flying J brands) with more than 650 locations across 44 U.S. states and six Canadian provinces. Approximately $8.2 billion for the additional 41.4% interest that took Berkshire to majority control.

Why it was attractive
  • Dominant
  • cash-generative travel-center network tied to freight and highway traffic
On January 31, 2023, we acquired an additional 41.4% interest in Pilot for approximately $8.2 billion... we attained control of Pilot for financial reporting purposes as of that date.Berkshire Hathaway FY2022 10-K — Business Acquisitions / Subsequent Events note
07 Dominion Energy natural gas transmission & storage business (via Berkshire Hathaway Energy) $9.7B
Announced Jul 2020 Closed Nov 2020 Combination
Interstate gas transmission pipelinesgas storageLNG export/import (Cove Point)

Berkshire Hathaway Energy agreed in July 2020 to buy substantially all of Dominion Energy's natural gas transmission and storage business. The portion completed on November 1, 2020 included more than 5,400 miles of pipelines, about 420 billion cubic feet of storage capacity, and a partial stake in the Cove Point LNG facility; assets acquired totaled about $13.4 billion with net cost of roughly $2.5 billion after assuming debt and noncontrolling interests. A second agreement covered certain excluded pipeline assets for about $1.3 billion, subject to regulatory approval. Approximately $9.7 billion including assumed debt (~$2.5 billion net cost for the November 2020 closing).

Why it was attractive
  • Regulated
  • long-lived energy infrastructure complementing Berkshire Hathaway Energy
The acquisition of the Dominion businesses... was completed on November 1, 2020 and included more than 5,400 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipelines, about 420 billion cubic feet of operated natural gas storage capacity and partial ownership of a liquefied natural gas export, import and storage facility (Cove Point).Berkshire Hathaway FY2020 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
08 NV Energy, Inc. (via MidAmerican / Berkshire Hathaway Energy) · Nevada $5.6B
Announced May 2013 Closed Dec 2013 All cash
Regulated electric and gas utility operations in Nevada

MidAmerican (now Berkshire Hathaway Energy) acquired all outstanding common stock of NV Energy for about $5.6 billion, adding a Nevada energy holding company whose regulated utilities, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, serve roughly 1.2 million electric and 0.2 million natural gas customers. The purchase was funded largely by Berkshire-provided equity (about $3.5 billion) plus utility-level debt. Approximately $5.6 billion.

Why it was attractive
  • Predictable regulated returns and a growing Western service territory
On December 19, 2013, MidAmerican completed its acquisition of NV Energy, Inc.... MidAmerican purchased all outstanding shares of NV Energy's common stock for cash of approximately $5.6 billion.Berkshire Hathaway FY2013 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
09 PacifiCorp (via MidAmerican Energy Holdings) · Portland, Oregon $5.1B
Announced May 2005 Closed Mar 2006 All cash
Regulated electric generationtransmission and distribution across six Western states

MidAmerican Energy Holdings acquired PacifiCorp, a regulated electric utility headquartered in Portland, Oregon serving customers across Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California, for approximately $5.1 billion in cash in March 2006. The deal significantly expanded Berkshire's regulated energy footprint in the West. Approximately $5.1 billion in cash.

Why it was attractive
  • Large
  • geographically diversified regulated utility with stable earnings
PacifiCorp, a regulated electric utility providing service to customers in six Western states, was acquired for approximately $5.1 billion in cash.Berkshire Hathaway FY2006 10-K — Business description / Business Acquisitions note
10 Marmon Holdings, Inc. · Chicago, Illinois $4.5B
Announced Dec 2007 Closed Mar 2008 All cash
Industrial productswire and cablerail tank carsfoodservice equipmentand more

Berkshire acquired about 60% of Marmon Holdings, a Chicago-based private industrial group owned by trusts for the Pritzker family, for $4.5 billion on March 18, 2008, and it agreed to buy the remaining minority interests over 2011-2014 at prices tied to Marmon's earnings. By the end of 2013 Berkshire owned substantially all of Marmon, a collection of roughly 160 independent manufacturing and service businesses. $4.5 billion for the initial ~60% interest (remaining minority interests acquired 2010-2014).

Why it was attractive
  • Broad
  • cash-generative portfolio of niche industrial businesses with autonomous management
On March 18, 2008, Berkshire acquired 60% of Marmon Holdings, Inc., a private company owned by trusts for the benefit of members of the Pritzker Family of Chicago for $4.5 billion.Berkshire Hathaway FY2008 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
11 Duracell Company (from The Procter & Gamble Company) · Chicago, Illinois $1.7B
Announced Nov 2014 Closed Feb 2016 All stock
Alkaline and specialty battery manufacturing and distribution

Berkshire acquired the Duracell battery business from Procter & Gamble by exchanging its holding of P&G common stock for 100% of Duracell's stock, closing in late February 2016. Duracell, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading maker of high-performance alkaline batteries with manufacturing in the U.S., Europe and China. Berkshire recorded a non-cash gain of about $1.9 billion on the exchange. Not separately disclosed; funded by exchanging Berkshire's P&G common stock for Duracell (P&G capitalized Duracell with ~$1.7 billion cash before the swap).

Why it was attractive
  • A well-known consumer brand acquired on tax-advantaged terms
Berkshire acquired the Duracell Company on February 26, 2016 from the Proctor & Gamble Company. Duracell, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading manufacturer of high performance alkaline batteries.Berkshire Hathaway FY2016 10-K — Business description
12 Iscar / IMC International Metalworking Companies · Tefen, Israel $2.05B
Announced May 2006 Closed Jul 2006 All cash
Carbide metal-cutting toolstooling systems for industrial machining

Berkshire acquired an 80% interest in the Israel-based IMC International Metalworking Companies (Iscar) on July 5, 2006, one of the world's three largest makers of consumable precision carbide metal-cutting tools, with brands including Iscar, TaeguTec, Ingersoll and Tungaloy. On April 29, 2013 Berkshire bought the remaining 20% for about $2.05 billion, taking full ownership. It was Berkshire's first major acquisition of a company based outside the United States. 80% interest acquired July 2006; remaining 20% acquired April 2013 for approximately $2.05 billion.

Why it was attractive
  • Global leadership in consumable industrial tooling with recurring demand
On April 29, 2013, Berkshire acquired the remaining 20% noncontrolling interests of IMC B.V. ... $2.05 billion. Berkshire now owns 100% of IMC International Metalworking Companies B.V.Berkshire Hathaway FY2013 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
13 MLMIC Insurance Company · New York $2.5B
Announced Jul 2016 Closed Oct 2018 All cash
Medical professional liability (malpractice) insurance underwriting

Berkshire acquired MLMIC Insurance Company, a New York-domiciled writer of medical professional liability insurance, for approximately $2.5 billion on October 1, 2018. At the acquisition date MLMIC held about $6.1 billion of assets, mostly investments. Approximately $2.5 billion.

Why it was attractive
  • Specialty underwriting franchise with substantial investable float
On October 1, 2018, we acquired MLMIC Insurance Company, a writer of medical professional liability insurance domiciled in New York. The acquisition price was approximately $2.5 billion.Berkshire Hathaway FY2020 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
14 General Re Corporation · Stamford, Connecticut Not disclosed
Announced Jun 1998 Closed Dec 1998 All stock
Global treaty and facultative reinsurance across propertycasualtylife and health

Berkshire and General Re signed a merger agreement on June 19, 1998, shareholders approved it in September, and the transaction closed on December 21, 1998, with General Re shareholders receiving Berkshire stock equal to roughly 272,200 Class A-equivalent shares. General Re is a global property, casualty, life and health reinsurer, and the deal was the largest in Berkshire's history at the time. All-stock merger; consideration of approximately 272,200 Berkshire Class A-equivalent shares (Berkshire's largest transaction at the time).

Why it was attractive
  • Massive reinsurance franchise generating large investable float
On June 19, 1998 Berkshire and General Re executed a Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger... The transaction was completed on December 21, 1998. General Re shareholders received merger consideration consisting of approximately 272,200 equivalent Class A shares.Berkshire Hathaway FY1998 10-K — Business / Acquisitions disclosure
15 Shaw Industries, Inc. · Dalton, Georgia $2.1B
Announced Oct 2000 Closed Jan 2001 All cash
Carpetrugs and flooring manufacturing

Berkshire acquired an approximately 87.3% interest in Shaw Industries, the world's largest producer of tufted broadloom carpet and rugs, on January 7, 2001 for about $2.1 billion in cash. Approximately $2.1 billion for an ~87.3% interest.

Why it was attractive
  • Dominant scale in a consumable home-furnishings category
Berkshire acquired an approximately 87.3% interest in SHAW INDUSTRIES, INC. on January 7, 2001 for cash of approximately $2.1 billion.Berkshire Hathaway FY2000 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
16 Johns Manville Corporation · Denver, Colorado $1.8B
Announced Dec 2000 Closed Feb 2001 All cash
Insulationroofing and engineered building products

Berkshire acquired Johns Manville, a leading producer of insulation and building products, on February 26, 2001 for approximately $1.8 billion in cash. Approximately $1.8 billion.

Why it was attractive
  • Established brand and scale in building insulation
Berkshire acquired JOHNS MANVILLE on February 26, 2001 for cash of approximately $1.8 billion.Berkshire Hathaway FY2000 10-K — Business Acquisitions note
17 MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company · Des Moines, Iowa $455M
Announced Oct 1999 Closed Mar 2000 Combination
Regulated electric and gas utilitiesenergy infrastructure holding company

Berkshire acquired a controlling economic interest in MidAmerican Energy Holdings through convertible preferred and common stock representing about 9.7% of the voting interest and roughly 76% of the fully diluted economic interest, plus $455 million of 11% trust preferred securities. MidAmerican became the platform for Berkshire's later utility acquisitions (PacifiCorp, NV Energy) and was renamed Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Not separately quantified in this filing; Berkshire took convertible preferred and common representing 9.7% of the vote and ~76% of the economics, plus $455 million of MidAmerican trust preferred securities.

Why it was attractive
  • A regulated-utility platform with a long runway for capital reinvestment
Berkshire acquired convertible preferred stock of a newly-formed entity that merged with and into MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY. These securities possess 9.7% of the voting interest and 76% of the economic interest on a fully-diluted basis in MidAmerican.Berkshire Hathaway FY2000 10-K — Business description
18 Executive Jet, Inc. (NetJets) $700M
Announced Jul 1998 Closed Aug 1998 Combination
Fractional business-jet ownership programs (NetJets)

Berkshire completed its acquisition of Executive Jet on August 7, 1998; shareholders received aggregate consideration of about $700 million, half in cash and half in Berkshire Class A and B stock. Executive Jet, which pioneered the fractional-aircraft-ownership model and runs the NetJets program, is the world's leading provider of fractional ownership of business aircraft. Approximately $700 million ($350 million cash plus Berkshire Class A and B stock).

Why it was attractive
  • Category-defining brand in a growing private-aviation market
Berkshire added to its flight services business upon the acquisition of Executive Jet, Inc., which was completed on August 7, 1998. EJ shareholders received aggregate consideration of $700 million, consisting of $350 million in cash and the remainder in Berkshire Class A and B Common Stock.Berkshire Hathaway FY1998 10-K — Business description

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