Cascade Investment LLC

berkesher hathway owners:5%

Holder Name Shs Held $ Market Value %Out Fully Diluted Shs Rpt Date

Cascade Investment, L.L.C. 1,679,138      5,340,498,432 11.3    1,342,350 07-01-09
Buffett (Warren) 1,501,532       4,775,622,656    10.1      2,018,105 07-01-09

Type Holding Company
Founded 1994
Headquarters Kirkland, Washington, United States
Key people Bill Gates, Chairman & CEO
Industry Diversified Investments

Cascade Investment LLC is a private investment and holding company, incorporated in United States. It is controlled by Bill Gates, and is headquartered in the city of Kirkland, Washington.

It has been claimed that more than half of Gates' fortune is held in assets outside his holding of Microsoft shares,[1] probably through Cascade Investment only. Cascade is the successor company to Dominion Income Management, the former investment vehicle for Gates' holdings, which was managed by longtime friend Andy Evans.
[edit]
List of investments and companies

Investment does not necessarily indicate ownership.

The company describes itself as a diversified investment company. Its investments include:
AutoNation
Berkshire Hathaway
Canadian National Railway
Carpetright
Coca Cola Femsa SAB de CV - 20% stake[2][3]
Cox Communications
Microsoft Corporation
FEMSA (Mexican brewer) - $364 million (Dec. 2007) - 1.2 percent of FEMSA capital through "B" shares.[4] Cascade might thus own 10.81 million of Femsa's New York-traded American Depositary Shares, about 3 percent of Femsa, the world's second largest Coke bottler and Mexico's second-largest brewer.[5]
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts - 42.5 percent
ICOS
Newport News Shipbuilding
Otter Tail Power Company
Pan American Silver Corporation
Republic Services, Inc - U.S. waste management - 20% estimated[6]
Sapphire Energy[7]
Schnitzer Steel Industries
Scient
Televisa [8]
Wisconsin Central Transportation

berkesherhathway.com-translated

berkesherhathway.com-translated

Бъфет – най-мъдрият финансов стратег в света
29.10.2009 10:48


Американският милиардер Уорън Бъфет запазва позицията си на финансистът с най-ясна визия и познания за пазара, изпреварвайки новата вълна от финансови анализатори, стратези и ръководители на централни банки.

Така специалистът, който е собственик на инвестиционната компания Berkshire Hathaway, отново запазва славата си на най-точният анализатор на финансовите пазари. Това става ясно от анкета сред абонатите на терминала на Bloomberg, където Бъфет е събрал около 25 на сто от гласовете.

Най-близо до Бъфет се нарежда Бил Грос, който е основател и съпрезидент на инвестиционния фонд Pacific Investment Management. Той е събрал 16 на сто от гласовете, а топ 3 се допълва от милиардера Джордж Сорос с 10 на сто.

Другите двама специалисти, които допълват челната петица на най-добрите пазарни анализатори, са Нуриел Рубини и Марк Фабер, показват резултатите от изследването, което се извършва на всеки три месеца.

По-малко от един от всеки десет запитани посочват шефа на американския Федерален резерв Бен Бернанке като най-точен анализатор и най-влиятелна личност във финансовия свят. Едва 3 на сто пък посочват като такъв бившия председател на Фед Алън Грийнспан. По 3% събират още президентът на Европейската централна банка Жан-Клод Трише и Нобеловият лауреат по икономика Джоузеф Стиглиц.

Абонатите на терминала на Bloomberg са посочили и активите, които ще донесат най-висока доходност през следващата година. 34% от тях са убедени, че това ще са суровините. На второ място са акциите с 27 на сто от гласовете, а на трето – валутите.

На обратния полюс са облигациите, които според 40 на сто от анкетираните ще бъдат активите с най-ниска възвръщаемост. На второ място в негативната класация са недвижимите имоти с 24 на сто и отново акциите с 20% от гласовете.

A Deal Maker With a Hot Hand Opens His Wallet

Warren E. Buffett is in no mood to quit.

At 77, Mr. Buffett, the country’s most famous investor, is in the midst of his hottest streak in almost a decade. And he is capping his run with a flurry of deal-making.

On Friday, Mr. Buffett stunned Wall Street by announcing that he would enter the troubled bond insurance business. He also spent about $440 million for a unit of ING Groep, the Dutch financial giant.

Three days earlier, on Christmas, he agreed to buy a $4.5 billion stake in the industrial conglomerate owned by the Pritzker family. And a few weeks before that, he waded into the junk bond market, buying $2.1 billion of debt issued by the TXU Corporation, the electric utility.

As the fortunes of big Wall Street firms sink, Berkshire Hathaway, the holding company that Mr. Buffett runs out of Omaha, is on a tear. Its Class A shares have jumped 27 percent this year, their best showing since 1998, when they soared 52 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index, by comparison, has gained a mere 4.24 percent this year.

In a telephone interview on Friday, Mr. Buffett said the timing of his recent investments was a coincidence. Since the credit crisis erupted this summer, he has repeatedly tried to blunt speculation that he might ride to the rescue of an ailing bank or Wall Street firm.

“We had no compulsion at the start of the year to do anything,” Mr. Buffett said. “On the other hand, there was no limit to what we could do.”

Thousands of investors on and off Wall Street study what Mr. Buffett does. It’s no wonder: Over the past four decades he has built Berkshire Hathaway into a $216 billion company with businesses ranging from insurance and corporate jets to ice cream, underwear and Coca-Cola. During that time, his company’s book value has soared by more than 360,000 percent.

Amid the turmoil in the financial markets this year, Mr. Buffett quietly tinkered with his company’s vast stock portfolio, which totaled $78 billion as of Sept. 30.

He has increased his stakes in two major banks, U.S. Bancorp and Wells Fargo, and cast new bets on Burlington Northern, the country’s second-largest railroad, and CarMax, the biggest used-car dealership. On Friday, in addition to announcing his intention to enter bond insurance, Mr. Buffett agreed to buy NRG, a reinsurance unit of ING.

With about $47 billion in cash on hand, Berkshire still has plenty of money for acquisitions. At the company’s annual meeting in May, Mr. Buffett said he would consider a deal as large as $60 billion.

But Mr. Buffett warned on Friday that the crisis that began in the market for housing debt shows few signs of abating. He added that he had decided to establish his own bond insurance company, rather than purchase one, to avoid “buying into anybody else’s trouble.”

Berkshire, which has an AAA credit rating, will enter the business as bond insurers like MBIA and Ambac are struggling to raise capital and protect their gilt-edged ratings. Mr. Buffett said he believes that most of the investments that are available to him in the financial industry “don’t make sense.”

People who follow Mr. Buffett said such wariness is a hallmark of his investing style. He has learned from past mistakes, said Gerald Martin, a finance professor at American University and Texas A&M University.

For instance, Berkshire’s 1998 acquisition of General Re, the insurance company, was marred by a portfolio of complex derivative securities and state and federal investigations into reinsurance policies written by the company. Salomon Brothers, the Wall Street firm that Mr. Buffett was pressed to take control of in the early 1990s amid a trading scandal, was another taxing experience.

Fixing a troubled company has “got to take a tremendous amount of management time,” said Mr. Martin, who in October published a paper on how well investors would have done if they had copied Mr. Buffett’s investment moves. “I can certainly understand him wanting to shy away from it.”

That may explain why Mr. Buffett has decided to start a new bond guarantor rather than take control of one of the many firms already in the business, among them MBIA, Ambac and FGIC. Critics say those bond guarantors do not have enough capital to cover future losses in the mortgage-related securities they have guaranteed.

In recent weeks, credit rating agencies have told some of these firms to raise new capital or risk losing their AAA rating, an outcome that would make it virtually impossible for them to write new insurance policies.

“Credibility is really your stock in trade in this business,” said Jeffrey Houston, a vice president and senior portfolio manager at American Century Investments, a mutual fund company in Mountain View, Calif. “And MBIA and some of the others are operating with a taint on their name.”

Mr. Buffett said his new bond insurance company, Berkshire Hathaway Assurance, would start by guaranteeing bonds in New York State, where regulators have promised to provide the firm with a license by Monday. Berkshire intends to quickly enter other large states like California and Texas. “This may turn out to be something quite large, or it may not,” he said.

Mr. Buffett’s intentions were first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Friday. The news sent the shares of MBIA down $3.53, or 15.9 percent, to $18.74; Ambac shares fell $4.02, or 13.8 percent, to $25.12.

Investors in municipal debt said that Berkshire’s foray into the business would not have an immediate impact on the bond market, which has suffered recently because of the credit crisis and concern about the viability of bond guarantors. But over time the company could prove to be a formidable competitor to MBIA and other companies in the field, said John Miller, chief investment officer of the municipal bond group at Nuveen Investments in Chicago.

“This creates some long-term competition from a clean AAA name,” he said.

Berkshire’s A-shares closed up $3,300, or 2.4 percent, to $141,100. The shares touched an all-time high of $149,200 on Dec. 10 but fell after an article in Barron’s asserted that the stock was overvalued and Mr. Buffett would have a hard time expanding his portfolio.

Among its many holdings, Berkshire owns the auto insurer Geico and has a big stake in The Washington Post Company.

History and Heritage

Ben Bridge Jeweler - family-operated since 1912.

In 1912, we started with the simple premise that we could offer the finest in jewelry values with special attention to personal service. Today, we operate over 70 retail stores in 12 states including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Alaska, Minnesota and Hawaii.

Over ninety years ago, Samuel Silverman, fine guild watchmaker, opened a store in downtown Seattle. After marriage to Silverman's daughter Sally in 1922, Ben Bridge joined the firm as a partner. When his father-in-law moved to California in 1927, Ben purchased Sam's interest and renamed the store Ben Bridge Jeweler. Under the leadership of Ben's sons; Herb and Bob, the company opened a second store in the early fifties, and in 1968, Ben Bridge Jeweler expanded into Seattle's Southcenter Mall, opening the first of its mall stores. The late seventies and early eighties showed tremendous growth for the company.
Ben Bridge Jeweler, Downtown Seattle, 1960 Herb, Sally & Bob Bridge, 1961


The Washington market expanded to include nine stores, and in 1980 the company opened its first out-of-state store in Portland, Oregon. The 1982 calendar marked the entry of Ben Bridge Jeweler into the vast California market with the opening of the Hillsdale store in San Mateo. The remainder of the 80's and 90s reflected a steady, planned growth with an average of 3-4 stores per year opening in such diverse markets as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Honolulu, Anchorage, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tucson, Spokane and Denver.

Today, the company is managed by Ben's own grandsons, Ed (President) and Jon (Vice Chairman and General Counsel) together with Co-Chairmen Herb and Bob Bridge (Ben's sons). They are assisted by a team of corporate officers including Orley Solomon, Doug Newton, Mary Todd-McGinnis, Cathy Hall, Peter Luplow, Steve Wilson, Jerry Gronfein, Steve Davolt, Shari Schindler and Bev Hori.

In May of 2000, Ben Bridge Jeweler merged with Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Ed Bridge stated "We're pleased to have the opportunity to become a part of what we believe to be the finest family of companies ever assembled under one corporate name. Warren Buffett, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway has demonstrated a legendary record of protecting the unique characteristics of individual businesses in a diverse portfolio of companies. We're excited to be a part of it."

Ben Bridge Jeweler has an over 96 year tradition of commitment to our customers. That's why we have more Registered Jewelers and Certified Gemologists of the American Gem Society (AGS) than any other jeweler in the country.

We invite you to treat yourself to our outstanding collection of fine jewelry in platinum, 14 and 18 karat gold. 

Examine our fabulous selection of quality timepieces that includes some of the world's most recognizable brands of watches. 

And what better time than now to purchase that diamond of a lifetime... after all, Ben Bridge has experience being a personal jeweler for over four generations. 

Please stop by and see us soon or contact us online.

We look forward to assisting you with making your next special and important purchase of fine quality jewelry.

World Book Encyclopedia

The World Book Encyclopedia, published in the United States, is self-described as the "the number-one selling print encyclopedia in the world."[1] The encyclopedia is designed to cover major areas of knowledge uniformly, but it shows particular strength in some fields.[2] It is based in Chicago, Illinois. The first edition (1917) contained eight volumes. New editions have since appeared every year except 1920, 1924, and 1932, with major revisions in 1930 (13 volumes), 1947 (18,000 illustrations), 1960 (20 volumes), and 1988.[3]

Field Enterprises published World Book from 1944 to 1984. World Book, Inc., is a subsidiary of the Scott Fetzer Company, which in turn is a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary.Contents [hide]
1 Overview
2 Alternative editions
3 Digital multimedia encyclopedia
4 Associated publishing projects
5 See also
6 Footnotes
7 References
8 External links

[edit]
Overview

Over the years the World Book has been characterized by its design. Unlike most other encyclopedias, it is traditionally published in nonuniform volumes sized to match the letters of the alphabet. Although most volumes cover exactly one letter completely, the letters with exceptionally numerous entries ("C" and "S") are divided between two volumes, while adjacent letters with relatively few entries ("J"–"K", "N"–"O", "Q"–"R", "U"–"V", and "W"–"Z") share a volume. World Book editors lay out major articles distinctly, often starting them on a page of their own, perhaps with a two-column heading. The World Book is marketed as a "family" encyclopedia for readers above 15 years of age.[4] It recognizes that one of the primary uses of general-purpose encyclopedias is student's work on school reports. For instance, every article for a U.S. state has a box giving information about such things as the official state bird and tree.

It claims to be the most up-to-date commercial encyclopedia, with thirty-three percent of its pages revised each year.[5] Illustrations account for about one third of the layout, and some eighty percent are in color. The encyclopedia makes heavy use of cross-reference contains a large analytical index of more than 150,000 entries[6]
[edit]
Alternative editions

In 1961, World Book produced a braille edition, which filled 145 volumes and nearly 40,000 pages. The project was mainly an effort in goodwill, for there was no expectation of selling enough copies of the set to cover production costs. Eventually, all sets of the Braille edition were donated to several institutions for the blind. In 1964, the company also published a large-print edition.[7]

An electronic version of the encyclopedia for Macintosh and Windows computers first appeared in 1990, but didn't have as much impact as the only other CD-ROM encyclopedia available at that time, Academic American Encyclopedia.

An international version, aimed at English-speakers outside of North America, was also produced in 1992.

Since 1998, in addition to the print and CD-ROM editions of the 22-volume, 13,800-page encyclopedia, World Book also publishes an online version called the World Book Online Reference Center.[8] The online version includes all of the articles contained in the print set as well as several thousand additional articles and the contents of every yearbook World Book has published since 1922
[edit]
Digital multimedia encyclopedia

World Book Encyclopedia is also published in electronic form for Microsoft Windows and Apple's Mac OS X. Electronic editions contain the entire text of the 22-volume World Book Encyclopedia, plus illustrations, video clips, 3D panoramic views, and sounds. The articles bring together a complete story, multimedia content, an article outline, research aids and links to related information. Online updates to articles and Month in Brief time browser are available by subscription.

Apple until recently bundled a copy of the Mac OS X Edition of World Book Encyclopedia with every consumer-level computer sold[citation needed]. This edition has some Mac-only features including a more intuitive user interface, Sticky Notes sharing via Bonjour technology, Trivia Challenge game, collection of editor-approved webcams, Notepad, Speech capabilities, "This Day in History", "Media Showcase" and "Librarian" widgets.

Since November 2007, both Windows and Mac electronic editions of World Book encyclopedia are developed and published by Software MacKiev.

Mouser Electronics

Type Subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway
Founded El Cajon, California, USA (1964)
Headquarters Mansfield, Texas, USA
Key people Paul Andrews, Jr., Chairman Glenn Smith, President & CEO
Industry Electronics
Products Electronic Components

Mouser Electronics is a catalog distributor of electronic components based in Mansfield, Texas. In January 2000, Mouser became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TTI, Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas.

Though originally founded in El Cajon, California by Jerry Mouser in 1964, the company later relocated to its branch location in Mansfield, Texas. As of 2007, Mouser ships over 30,000 lines per day out of its 432,000-square-foot (40,100 m2) facility[citation needed]. Mouser publishes a new, comprehensive parts catalog every 90 days for its electronic component distributor. Their current catalog is more than 2,100 pages and references over a million part numbers from over 366 suppliers. An online version of the parts catalog includes datasheets and cross-references.

On March 30, 2007, Mouser became part of the Berkshire Hathaway Group.

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company is a holding company controlled by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. David L Sokol is Midamerican's president and CEO since 1991.Contents [hide]
1 Investments
2 Cars
3 References
4 External links

[edit]
Investments

MidAmerican holds the following companies:
MidAmerican Energy Company
PacifiCorp
CE Electric UK
CalEnergy Generation
Kern River Gas Transmission Company
Northern Natural Gas Company
HomeServices of America

On September 18, 2008, MidAmerican announced $26.50-a-share cash offer to purchase Constellation Energy, a FORTUNE 125 company with 2007 revenues of $21 billion and the nation's largest competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers and largest wholesale power seller.
[edit]
Cars

MidAmerican is discussing with BYD Auto how to set up a U.S. dealer network for the F6DM plug-in hybrid electric car, which would likely go head to head with offerings from industry heavyweights Toyota, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler [1].

Kirby Company

Type Subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway
Founded 1914
Headquarters Cleveland, Ohio
Industry Consumer products
Products Vacuum cleaners
Parent Berkshire Hathaway
Website www.kirby.com

The Kirby Company is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and home cleaning accessories, based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is a subsidiary of the Scott Fetzer Company and part of Berkshire Hathaway. Dealers are located in several countries throughout the world. Since the 1920s, Kirby's products have been sold only door-to-door using in-home demonstrations.[1]Contents [hide]

1 History
2 Warranty
3 Sales practices
3.1 Sales representatives
3.2 Sales practices
4 Kirby products online
5 Complaints
6 References

[edit]
History

The first Kirby vacuums were designed by Jim Kirby for George Scott and Carl Fetzer after World War I, although the Kirby name was not used on a Vacuum Cleaner until the 1930s.[2]

In 1970, input from Kirby Distributors, Dealers, management and customers guided Kirby engineers in developing the Kirby Classic. The model was an instant success, with soaring sales, forcing the company to expand its manufacturing facilities outside of Cleveland for the first time. In 1972, Kirby West began operations in Andrews, Texas. The facility doubled the company’s manufacturing capabilities.[citation needed]
[edit]
Warranty

The Kirby warranty varies depending on the model sold, but always has the lifetime factory rebuild plan. The warranty on the current model, the Sentria, is a three-year factory warranty excluding wear and tear. After the initial warranty expires, the rebuild plan is activated that is good for the lifetime of the original purchaser, in which the owner can have the Sentria completely restored to its original condition for a price determined by the United States Consumer Price Index (currently $175), plus shipping cost. In addition, if during this time the Kirby is damaged in a fire, the Kirby company will replace the vacuum with the current model for the same fee. In both of these instances, a new 1-year warranty comes into effect.
[edit]
Sales practices
[edit]
Sales representatives

There are numerous reports of Kirby salespeople being taught high-pressure and abusive sales tactics, being misled about pay and bonuses and misleading consumers about the sales contracts.[3]
[edit]
Sales practices

Sales procedures vary with each dealer. They include canvassing, door-to-door, and by-appointment.

An initial price is offered to the customer. The Kirby is presented as a long term investment or a home care system, superior to other vacuums. Either a manager is brought in to the demonstration, or the salesperson may call their manager to offer higher discounts until the customer is able to pay by cash or use a payment plan. [4] The price a Kirby is initially offered at may be up £3000 in the UK [1] and the majority of Kirby's are sold on credit with interest rates of 18% to 25% [2]

A three day return and deal cancellation period is promised to US customers.

"Purchasing Plans" offered are actually loans that can improve or degrade your credit rating, depending if repayments are made.
[edit]
Kirby products online

Kirby vacuum cleaners, new and used, can be found on eBay for prices ranging from $200 to $1900 for recent models. However, such sales are unauthorized by Kirby and do not carry any warranty. Some units originate from distributors that have left the business and are selling their remaining units at wholesale prices, and people selling reconditioned units.
[edit]
Complaints

Complaints about Kirby Sale's techniques have included overly aggressive sales tactics and sales to those who cannot afford or operate the Kirby, such as senior citizens or low-income families.[5]

Business Wire is a company that disseminates full-text news releases from thousands of companies and organizations worldwide to news media, financial markets, disclosure systems, investors, information web sites, databases and other audiences. The company distributes news via its own electronic network, NX, developed by its in-house tech team using XML/NewsML. It also has carriage agreements with major news agencies, including the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Bloomberg, Dow Jones, Reuters, Thomson One, and some 60 regional news agencies to deliver content directly into their newsroom editorial systems. It was the first service of its type to put its clients' news online, launching the company's website in May 1995.

Business Wire provides direct news feeds along with photo posting to Yahoo! Finance and other information web sites. It offers preset and fully customized RSS news feeds upon registration (which is free). In 2007, the company added social media networking "tags" to news releases for services including Digg, del.icio.us, Newsvine and Reddit. The company's EON: Enhanced Online News service provides a platform for news announcements utilizing a variety of Web 2.0 technologies, with search engine optimization features, social media tags to encourage online sharing of news, and interactive multimedia.

Working with stock markets and regulatory authorities, Business Wire is an authorized disclosure vehicle in the US and Canada (with news networks, EDGAR filings and SEDAR filings), the UK (with Financial Securities Authority-sanctioned (FSA) services), France (with Autorité des Marchés Financiers-sanctioned (AMF) services) and other European markets including Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. In 2007, Business Wire established a pan-European disclosure service designed around the European Union's Transparency Obligations Directive (TOD) requirements. In addition to fulfilling financial disclosure requirements, this posts full-text news releases directly into major professional and individual investor systems. Journalists can set up personal web, RSS and email news feeds based on their specific beat criteria.Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Notable Events
3 References
4 External links

[edit]
History

Business Wire was founded on October 2, 1961 by Lorry I. Lokey. Cathy Baron Tamraz became CEO and president on December 16, 2005.

On January 17, 2006, Berkshire Hathaway announced that it was purchasing Business Wire for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition was completed on March 1, 2006.[1]

On September 15 2005 Business Wire established Regulatory Disclosure networks in France, Sweden, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The move came in anticipation of the anticipated implementation of the European Union's Transparency Obligations Directive (TOD). On June 1, 2005 Business Wire entered the German Ad-Hoc market with a disclosure network for companies with primary or secondary listings on the Deutsche Boerse. The service was established in compliance with BaFin, Germany's national securities regulator.

On January 10 2005 Business Wire established an Asian hub with the opening of its Tokyo bureau, and later that year added Japanese, making the site available in seven languages On September 27, 2006, Business Wire and Vocus, Inc. (NASDAQ:VOCS) announced the two companies had entered into a strategic partnership in which Business Wire would use a private label version of Vocus’ PRWeb press release distribution platform to provide a new search engine optimized (SEO) and social media distribution service. The platform is called EON:Enhanced Online News.

On April 24 2007 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded a patent to Business Wire for its Internet-based news distribution platform, known as 'Business Wire NX'. The United States Patent Office awarded 'NX' Patent N. 7069244 for its 'simultaneous network news distribution' capabilities.

On January 1 2007 Autorite des Marches Financiers, the French Financial Markets Regulator, approved Business Wire to operate as a Regulatory Disclosure Service in France. On December 14 2007 it was announced that Business Wire had named Phyllis Dantuono and Greg Castano to be co-chief operating officers.
[edit]
Notable Events

On November 1 2005 the SEC filed suit against an Estonian trading firm, Lohmus Haavel & Viisemann (Lohmus) for illicit trading conducted as a result of financial information garnered by accessing more than 360 press releases on behalf of over 200 public companies from the Business Wire website [2] The releases were accessed via Business Wire's website during the 10 month period between January and November, 2005. Business Wire Chairman, Lorry Lokey issued a statement that no releases had been accessed prior to distribution, although employees of the Estonian firm, Oliver Peek and Kristjan Lepik had gathered $7.8 million in illegal profits during that time.[3]. In August 2006, Lepik consented to a final judgment, which included payments of $551,958 representing his share of illegal profits, along with interest of $10,181 and a civil penalty of $15,000.[4]

The Buffalo News

The Buffalo News
Type Daily newspaper
Format Broadsheet
Owner Berkshire Hathaway
Publisher Stanford Lipsey
Editor Margaret M. Sullivan
Founded 1880
Headquarters 1 News Plaza
Buffalo, New York 14203
United States
Circulation 181,540 Daily
266,123 Sunday[1]
Website www.buffalonews.com

The Buffalo News is the primary newspaper of the Buffalo, New York, metropolitan area and its surrounding suburbs. It is wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

The News was founded in 1873 by Edward H. Butler as a Sunday paper.[2] In 1880, the News began publishing daily editions as well, and in 1914, became an inversion of its original existence by publishing Monday through Saturday only, with no publication on Sunday. During most of its life, the News was known as The Buffalo Evening News. A gentleman's agreement between the Evening News and the Buffalo Courier-Express meant that the Evening News would be just that, while the Courier-Express would be a morning-only paper. Until 1977, the News did not publish on Sundays, as per this agreement with the Courier, and its weekend edition appeared on Saturday evening.

In 1977, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway purchased the Evening News, and began publishing on Saturday and Sunday mornings.[2] After a period of financial decline, the Courier-Express published its last issue on September 19, 1982. At least part of its troubles were attributable to union strife within the Buffalo Newspaper Guild. That same year, the Evening News shortened its name to The Buffalo News and, until 2006, published morning and evening editions. The News remains Buffalo's only daily newspaper, and forecast a trend in which most American cities are served by only one daily newspaper. The newspaper also founded and formerly owned the WBEN stations, which are now WIVB (Channel 4), WBEN (930), WYRK (106.5) and WTSS (102.5), respectively.

Journalists for The Buffalo News and The Buffalo Evening News have won three Pulitzer Prizes. In 1958, Bruce Shanks received the Editorial Cartooning award for his August 10, 1957 piece, "The Thinker," detailing union corruption. In 1961, Edgar May received the Local Reporting award for his series, "Our Costly Dilemma," concerning the need for reform of New York State's welfare system. The series touched off debates about welfare reform nationwide. In 1990, Tom Toles brought the News its second Editorial Cartooning award, for his work throughout the year (although his piece "First Amendment" is often cited as the "exemplary" work that merited the award). (Toles currently serves as an editorial cartoonist with The Washington Post, where he replaced Herblock.) News journalists have been finalists for three other Pulitzer Prizes, but did not win: Toles (1985 and 1996, for Editorial Cartooning) and James Heaney (1993, for Investigative Reporting).

The News participates in the Buffalo community and sponsors charitable, social, and educational events. The News also holds an annual Kids' Day newspaper sale in which civic groups sell the morning edition of the newspaper for double the usual price, with all proceeds directed to Buffalo's Children's Hospital.

On October 1, 2006, the News announced it would abandon its afternoon edition later that month, and publish only a morning issue. The move appears to complete a 50-year shift in news publication during which televised news, traffic congestion (which made timely delivery increasingly difficult) and the flight of readers to the suburbs undermined the old evening-delivery model.

Borsheim's Fine Jewelry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Borsheim's Fine Jewelry (frequently abbreviated without an apostrophe as Borsheims; pronounced /ˈbɔərʃaɪmz/ BOHR-shyemz) is a jewelry store in Omaha, Nebraska. The store was founded in 1870, and has grown to become one of the largest independent jewelry stores in the nation. The store has been a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since 1989.

Louis Borsheim started Borsheims, the jewerly store, in downtown Omaha in 1870. After serving the expanding Omaha community for decades, the business was sold to Louis Friedman and his son Ike in 1947. While the two retained the Borsheims name, they instituted a business philosophy of offering an extensive inventory selection and a friendly style of customer service, at the lowest possible price.

By 1986, Borsheims had outgrown its 8,000 square feet (740 m2) facility downtown and moved to the anchor position in Regency Court Mall, a high-end shopping destination. In 1989, renowned investor Warren Buffett purchased a majority of Borsheims stock, making it part of his famous holding company, Berkshire Hathaway.

Today, Borsheims is led by Susan M. Jacques, G.G., F.G.A., who became Borsheims president and CEO in 1994. Borsheims covers more than 62,500 square feet (5,810 m2) after its 2006 remodel, maintains an inventory that includes more than 100,000 pieces and serves an international clientele spanning 50 states and six continents.
[edit]
Berkshire Hathaway annual meetings

Borsheims hosts the reception for Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholders meetings, which has attracted more than 30,000 people in recent years.[1][2] In 2006, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates played bridge together at Borsheims.[3]

Blue Chip Stamps
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blue Chip Stamps started as a trading stamps company called "Blue Chip Stamp Co." They were a competitor to S & H Green Stamps.Contents [hide]
1 History and background
2 Acquisitions
3 References
4 External links

[edit]
History and background

In 1963, the United States government began an antitrust action against Blue Chip Stamp. In 1967, the parties agreed to a consent decree which led to the creation of a new company "Blue Chip Stamps".

In 1975, a lawsuit filed by Blue Chip Stamps was decided by the Supreme Court in the opinion Blue Chip Stamps v. Manor Drug Stores.[1] This ruling helped establish the precedent that only buyers or sellers of securities can file suit for damages due to deceptive practices.

Berkshire Hathaway, the investment vehicle of Warren Buffett, began investing in Blue Chip Stamps in 1970. Berkshire's investment in Blue Chip went from 36.5% in 1977, to 60% in 1979, and finally merged in a stock swap in 1983.[2]

According to Buffett's 2006 letter to Berkshire shareholders, Blue Chip had 1970 sales of $126 million as about 60 billion of "stamps were licked by savers, pasted into books, and taken to Blue Chip redemption stores." He also said, "When I was told that even certain brothels and mortuaries gave stamps to their patrons, I felt I had finally found a sure thing." Sales dropped to $19.4 million in 1980 and $1.5 million in 1990. In 2006, revenues came in at $25,920.[3]
[edit]
Acquisitions

On January 3, 1972, Blue Chip obtained a controlling interest in See's Candy Shops. Blue Chip later acquired 100% of See's for an overall price of $25 million.

Wesco Financial Corporation is currently an 80.1% owned subsidiary of Blue Chip Stamps.

The Pampered Chef

Type Private
Founded 1980
Headquarters Addison, Illinois
Area served United States, Canada United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico
Key people Doris Christopher
{Chairman), (Founder)
Marla Gottschalk
(CEO)
Janine Davis
(CMO)
Jim Bresingham
CFO
Industry Kitchen & Food Products
Employees 61000
Website PamperedChef.com

The Pampered Chef, Ltd. a global company that offers a line of kitchen tools, food products, and cookbooks aimed for preparing food in the home with a worldwide direct sales force over 60000 in addition to 950 corporate staff[1].The company is currently headquartered in Addison, Illinois and operates in five countries: USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Mexico..

[edit]
History

Founded in 1980 by Doris Christopher, the company began to sell these items to housewives on the party plan, a system in which a homemaker invited her friends over for a social event at which the products were demonstrated and sold, a concept first used with great success with Tupperware. The products gained popularity in the 1990s, even as many other party plan merchandisers were faltering due to changing lifestyles. It started its global presence with Canada in 1996. It spread to Europe with the UK in 1999 and Germany in 2000. The company was acquired in 2002 by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Corporation [2]. It recently opened up its doors to Mexico in 2009.

See's Candies

See's Candies is a manufacturer and distributor of candy, particularly chocolate, in the western United States. It was founded by Charles See and his mother Mary See in Los Angeles, California, in 1921. The company is now headquartered in South San Francisco, California.[1] It has kitchens at its headquarters and at a second location in Los Angeles, where there is also a retail shop. It also has an office in Carson, California.[2]

The chocolate in See's candies has been provided by the Guittard Chocolate Company since the 1950s; See's and Guittard pioneered the delivery of bulk chocolate in liquid form in tanker trucks in 1959[1].

The company largely markets its products only in its own stores and at those of fellow Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary Nebraska Furniture Mart, allowing it to control the standards under which they are stored and marketed. They are also available in some California airports. Since the mid 1990s, the company has also maintained a strong Internet presence via its website. It is also well-known for being one of the very early investments purchased by Warren Buffett (via Blue Chip Stamps) for his Berkshire Hathaway Corporation (in 1972), beginning the path of that company from a textile concern to being one of the world's most successful conglomerates.

See's Candies operates over 200 stores in the following U.S. states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.[3] There are also stores outside the U.S. in Hong Kong, Japan, and Macau.[4] Seasonally — primarily during the year-end holiday shopping season — See's also offers its product in select markets in kiosks at malls and other shopping centers.

A See's Candies store.Contents [hide]
1 History
2 The See family
3 References
4 External links

[edit]
History

According to the corporate website, Charles See arrived in the United States from Canada in 1921[5] with his mother Mary and his wife Florence. They opened the first See's Candies shop and kitchen on Western Avenue in Los Angeles in November 1921. They had twelve shops by the mid-1920s and thirty shops during the Great Depression. In 1936, See's opened a shop in San Francisco. In 1972, the See family sold the company to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and Charles N. Huggins became President and CEO through 2006. He was succeeded by Brad Kinstler. In 2004, following the closing of the original Fannie May candy company of Chicago, the See company expanded into the Chicago area, opening a retail/wholesale store in Downers Grove, Illinois. (Fannie May has since reopened some of its stores under new ownership.)
[edit]
The See family

Charles Alexander See (1882-1949) was born in Canada and came to California in 1919 [6], which conflicts with the website history. He came with his wife, Florence MacLean Wilson (1885-1956) with whom he had three children: Laurance A. See (1912-?), Margaret M. See (1913-?), and Harry W. See (1921-?), who was born after they arrived in the U.S.[7] By 1920, they were living in Pasadena, California and Charles A. See was working as a druggist in a drug store[8]. In both 1920 and 1930, Mary See (1854–1939) was not part of the Charles A. See household.

Laurance A. See's high-profile divorce from his wife Elizabeth in 1962 resulted in a landmark community property opinion, written by Chief Justice Roger J. Traynor of the Supreme Court of California for a unanimous court.[9]

Orange Julius

Orange Julius is a chain of fruit drink beverage stores. It has been available since the late 1920s.[1]Contents [hide]
1 History
2 See also
3 Notes
4 Sources
5 External links

[edit]
History

An Orange Julius stall outside Liat Towers, Orchard Road, Singapore, with Dairy Queen being housed together.

The drink grew out of an orange juice stand opened in Los Angeles in 1926 by Julius Freed. Sales were initially modest, about $20 a day (over $200 adjusted for 2007 inflation). In 1929, Bill Hamlin, Freed's real estate broker, developed a mixture that made the acidic orange juice less bothersome to his stomach. Freed's stand began serving the drink, which had a frothier, creamier texture. The sales at the stand increased substantially after the introduction of the new drink, going up to $100 a day. People began lining up at the store and shouting, "Give me an Orange, Julius!" Eventually, the new drink would simply be called "the Orange Julius".[2]

During the 1950s and 1960s, Orange Julius was sold at a variety of outlets, including state and county fairs and freestanding Orange Julius stands.

Originally, and through the 1980s, a raw egg blended into the drink was offered as an option. This was seen as a good source of protein for body builders. However, the option was later dropped for food safety reasons, and bananas are now offered as a substitute.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Orange Julius beverage stands used the image of a devil with a pitchfork, similar to that of the Arizona State University mascot, Sparky around an orange, with the slogan, "A Devilishly Good Drink". The company later dropped the logo and slogan after threats of a lawsuit from the ASU alumni association.

An Orange Julius restaurant existed in London for a short while in the early 1970s. It was situated in the suburb of Golders Green, but despite its apparent popularity, Orange Julius did not really take off in the UK and the Golders Green branch was gone by about 1976.

In 1987, the Orange Julius chain was bought by International Dairy Queen. IDQ, and by inclusion since 1999, Berkshire Hathaway, owns the rights to all Orange Julius stores, and have expanded the chain so its drinks are included in many of their Dairy Queen mall stores, called Treat Centers.[3]

In 2004, Orange Julius launched a line of Premium Fruit Smoothies to compete with smoothie competitors such as Jamba Juice and Smoothie King.

Dairy Queen

Type Wholly Owned subsidiary
Founded Chicago, Illinois
(August 4, 1940)
Founder(s) John Fremont McCullough
Headquarters Edina, Minnesota, U.S.
Key people Warren Buffett
John Gainor (CEO);
Charles J. Chapman III (COO);
James S. Simpson (CFO);
Michael Keller (CBO)
Industry Fast food
Products Soft serve, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken
Revenue $476 million (2006)
Owner(s) Berkshire Hathaway
Parent DQ International
Website www.dairyqueen.com

Dairy Queen, often abbreviated to DQ, is a international chain of soft serve and fast food restaurants. The name is taken from the name of their soft serve product which the company refers to as "Dairy Queen" or "DQ".Contents [hide]

1 History
2 Today
3 Stores
3.1 Dairy Queen
3.2 DQ / Orange Julius
3.3 Dairy Queen Brazier
3.4 DQ Grill & Chill
3.5 Texas Country Foods
4 Products
4.1 The Blizzard Treat
5 Advertising
5.1 Logos
6 Global locations
7 References
8 External links

[edit]
History

The soft serve formula was first developed in 1938 by John Fremont McCullough and his son Bradley. They went on to open the first Dairy Queen store in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois. While the Dairy Queen is no longer in operation, the building is still located at 501 N Chicago St.[1] Since 1940 DQ has used a franchise system to expand its operations globally. Its largest franchise is the Texas Dairy Queen Operating Council which runs the majority of DQ locations in the state of Texas. Dairy Queen International is the parent company of Dairy Queen. In the US it operates under the American Dairy Queen title.[2][3] It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. At the end of its fiscal year 2006, Dairy Queen reported over 5,600 stores in more than a dozen countries; about 4,600 of its stores (or approximately 85%) were located within the United States.[2][3][4]

DQ was an early pioneer of food franchising, with the 10 stores in 1941 expanding to 100 by 1947, 1,446 in 1950, and 2,600 in 1955. The first store in Canada opened in Estevan, Saskatchewan in 1953. The present Dairy Queen logo was introduced in 1959. The company became "International Dairy Queen, Inc." (IDQ) in 1962. It was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 1998. Dairy Queens were a fixture of social life in small towns of the Midwestern and Southern United States during the 1950s and 1960s. In that role they have often come to be referenced as a symbol of life in small-town America, as for instance in Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen: Reflections at Sixty and Beyond by Larry McMurtry, Dairy Queen Days by Robert Inman, and Chevrolet Summers, Dairy Queen Nights by Bob Greene. Some of the popular items on the Texas menu include the Hunger-Buster and Belt-Buster hamburgers. Bob Phillips, host of the popular Texas syndicated television series Texas Country Reporter, was for many years the DQ spokesman in Texas. Dairy Queen appears in many small Texas towns, such as Baird, Devine, Jacksboro, and Hamilton, and uses the nickname "The Texas Stop Sign" to illustrate its presence.
[edit]
Today

With 5,700 restaurants in 22 countries as of 2005, Dairy Queen is one of the largest soft serve franchises in the world, their main competition include: Baskin-Robbins, Braum's, Carvel, Culver's, Foster's Freeze, Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard, McDonald's, Sonic Drive-In, Tastee Freez, and TCBY.
[edit]
Stores

The company's stores are operated under several brands, all bearing the distinctive Dairy Queen logo and carrying the company's signature soft-serve ice cream (along with the trademark "curl"). Until the 1980s, most Dairy Queen stores were recognizable for their red gambrel-shaped roofs.
[edit]
Dairy Queen

A Dairy Queen store in Austin, Texas, United States

A Dairy Queen store in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Stores which serve a very abbreviated menu primarily feature DQ frozen treats. These locations may be open only during spring and summer; many year-round locations are located in shopping malls.

So-called "Limited Brazier" locations may additionally offer hot dogs, barbecue beef (or pork) sandwiches, and in some cases french fries and chicken, but not hamburgers.

The largest Dairy Queen restaurant is in Portland, Texas. This small town didn't always own this claim to fame—the original building was constructed in the late 70's and later redesigned in the mid 90's to make room for weekly meetings and events that local organizations and clubs would host. The newly added sitting area offers a southern ambiance. The remaining area of the restaurant carries on the corporate look and feel of other DQ’s. Drive-thru access is still made available.
[edit]
DQ / Orange Julius

Also known as the "Treat Center" concept, an enhanced version of the original DQ also serves drinks and foods from the Orange Julius menu. This is the company's preferred concept for new, small-scale locations.
[edit]
Dairy Queen Brazier

Stores serve a normal fast-food menu featuring burgers, french fries, and processed fried chicken products in addition to frozen treats and hot dogs. Due to the protracted rollout of the Grill & Chill concept, Brazier restaurants have been allowed to sell certain products originally restricted to G&C, including GrillBurgers.

The "Brazier" name has been slowly phased out of signage and advertising since 1993, although until recently it had not been removed from existing signage. Since the early 2000s, new or renovated locations which are similar to Brazier restaurants in terms of size and menu selection, but have been updated with the current DQ logo and/or exterior, usually carry the name "DQ Restaurant".
[edit]
DQ Grill & Chill

This is DQ's preferred concept for new and renovated full-service restaurants. Stores are larger than older-style DQ Brazier locations and feature a completely new store design. In most cases, they offer an expanded menu including breakfast, GrillBurgers, and grilled sandwiches, as well as limited table service (customers still place orders at the counter).
[edit]
Texas Country Foods

Most locations in Texas, including those which otherwise resemble the Brazier or Grill & Chill formats, use a separate menu branded as Texas Country Foods. Among other differences, "Hunger-Buster" burgers are available in place of the Brazier and GrillBurger offerings.

The Texas Dairy Queen Operating Council is the largest of all Dairy Queen franchises. Texas is home to the largest number of Dairy Queens in the U.S. The TXDQOC runs a separate marketing website from the national website, located at www.dqtexas.com.
[edit]
Products

The company's products expanded to include malts and milkshakes in 1949, banana splits in 1951, Dilly Bars in 1955 (they had lime), Mr. Misty slush treats in 1961 (later renamed Misty Slush, then again to Arctic Rush), and a range of hamburgers and other cooked foods under the Brazier banner in 1958. Other popular items include sundaes and the blended coffee drink, the MooLatte, controversial because of its resemblance to the racial descriptor Mulatto.[5]

Dairy Queen's one hundred (as of 1997) Japanese stores offered hamburgers, but competition from McDonald's made the chain switch to pita sandwiches.

The majority of Dairy Queen locations serve Pepsi products, but unlike most other restaurants such contracts are not mandated onto the franchisee, and as a result some locations serve Coca-Cola products instead. Subway (until 2003) and Arby's (until 2006) also allowed such leniency on beverage choice before signing exclusive soft drink deals with Coca-Cola and Pepsi, respectively, making Dairy Queen the last major restaurant chain without an exclusive soft drink contract.

That said, the current preference for Pepsi products at DQ is in conflict with its parent company's large interest in The Coca-Cola Company. Berkshire Hathaway is one of Coca-Cola's largest single shareholders, with 8.6%.

[edit]
The Blizzard Treat

A very popular Dairy Queen treat today is the Blizzard Treat, which is soft-serve mechanically blended with add-in ingredients such as sundae toppings and/or pieces of cookies, brownies, or candy. It has been a staple on the menu since its introduction in 1985, a year in which Dairy Queen sold 175 million Blizzards.[6] The Blizzard was invented by Richard, Ronald, and Ralph Medd of Iowa. It is traditionally served upside down to prove the thickness. The most popular Blizzard flavors include Oreo Cookies, chocolate chip cookie dough, M&M's (Smarties in Canada), Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Heath bar, Kit Kat, and Butterfinger. Seasonal flavors are also available such as October's Pumpkin Pie.[7] It has been argued that Dairy Queen drew its inspiration from the concrete served by the St. Louis based Ted Drewes.[8]

In addition, Dairy Queen is marketing its new Blizzard Cake which includes flavors such as strawberry cheesecake and Reese's. Much like the restaurant's conventional ice cream cake, this variation is aimed toward celebrations and birthdays.[9]
[edit]
Advertising

For many years the franchise's slogan was "We treat you right!" During the late 1990s, the slogan "Hot Eats, Cool Treats" was widely used. In recent years, it has been changed to "DQ something different."

In Texas, at the end of the advertisement, there is a Texas flag waving, and the Texas state with the new DQ logo and slogan below saying, "That's What I Like About Texas."

Dennis the Menace appeared in Dairy Queen marketing from 1971 until 2001, when he was dropped because Dairy Queen felt children could no longer relate to the comic strip character.[citation needed]

Dairy Queen commercials often featured vast landscapes made out of ice cream or other various treats.

Currently, the advertising focuses on a mouth with a large set of lips, resembling the Dairy Queen Logo. This mouth is often advertising Dairy Queen's products using his quick wit and sense of humor.
[edit]
Logos This article may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (September 2009)


The original Dairy Queen logo was simply a stylized text sign with a soft serve cone at one end. In the 1960, the company created its first "lips" design logo which took the "Dairy Queen" and inserted it into a red ovoid resembling pursed lips. The 2001 shortened the company name to its abbreviated format of "DQ". In both versions, the font of the lettering remained the same as the original signage introduced 60 years prior. Also, in both versions of this logo, the company placed the registered mark symbol immediately to the right, on the bottom side of the logo. When the company modernized it signage and logos again in 2007, the company modified the font and italicized the "DQ" as well as adding arced lines, an orange to represent its hot foods above and a blue one below to represent its ice cream products.[10] Additionally, in the new design the registered mark symbol was moved inside the "lips", adjacent to the letter "Q".[11] The first overhaul of its logo in almost 70 years, the company claimed that the new logo would show brand growth and reflect the "fun and enjoyment" associated with its products.[10] Advertising industry observers have noted that the new logo was an unneeded update of known and trusted industry brand and that its new features were distracting.[11][12]

The original signage is still in use in older locations or in locations that use a "retro" design motif in the property's design. One example is the sign used at the Dairy Queen in Ottawa, Canada.

Forest River

Forest River Inc, a US manufacturer of a diverse line of primarily recreational vehicle products, $1.6 billion in sales, 60 plants, 5,400 employees. Located in Elkhart Indiana, the company operates multiple manufacturing facilities throughout the mid-west and west coast. CEO, Peter Liegl founded the company in 1996, which today makes all classes of RV's, cargo trailers, utility trailer, pontoon boats, light and medium-duty buses (primarily shuttle buses, not inner-city transit buses), portable offices, and structures to use for temporary schools. Forest River also owns a manufactured housing business, Hart Homes.

On June 22, 2005, Warren Buffet, head of Berkshire Hathaway, made an offer to purchase Forest River over the telephone while speaking to Pete Liegl. This offer came just one day after he had first learned about the company from a fax received at his office which detailed why Forest River would be a solid acquisition for Berkshire.

On June 28 Warren and Pete shook hands on a deal. Warren then gave Pete his home telephone number and his cell number and told him if he needs something to call him, "Otherwise I talk to you in a year, or so". The transaction was closed on August 31, 2005.[citation needed]

In Berkshire Hathaway Inc's 2005 annual report[1], the seventy-five year-old Buffett states, "Pete is a remarkable entrepreneur". And adds, "You can be sure that I won't be telling Pete how to manage his operation".

Competitors: Gulf Stream Coach, Jayco Inc., Skyline Corporation, Thor IndustriesContents [hide]
1 Brands
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit]
Brands

Forest River sells its vehicles under several different brands. The following brands are part of Forest River.

Motor home brands:
Berkshire
Charleston
Forester
Georgetown
Lexington

Sunseeker
Tsunami

Travel trailer and fifth wheel brands:
Cardinal
Cedar Creek

Cherokee
Day Dreamer
Flagstaff
r-pod
Rockwood
Salem

Sandpiper
Shamrock
Sierra
Surveyor

V-Cross
Wildcat
Wildwood

Park model brands:
Kabana
Quailridge
Summitt

Modular & Hud Homes:
Sterling
Hart Homes

McLane Company

Type Subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
Founded 1894 in Cameron, Texas
Headquarters Temple, Texas
Industry Grocery Distribution
Revenue $30 billion (2008)
Employees 15,000
Website www.mclaneco.com

McLane is a highly successful $30 billion supply chain services company, providing grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions for thousands of convenience stores, mass merchants, drug stores and military locations, as well as thousands of chain restaurants throughout the United States. McLane is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and is its single largest non-insurance business. [1]

Founded in 1894 in Cameron, Texas, McLane Company has grown from a local merchant to an international distribution and logistics leader. The company is headquartered in Temple, Texas, and operates 38 grocery and foodservice distribution centers across the country. Additionally, McLane owns an industry-specific software company; an import distributor of sunglasses, novelties and other items; and two regional wholesalers in Texas.Contents [hide]
1 Corporate Operations
2 History
3 Customers
4 Specialty Divisions and Companies
5 References
6 See also

[edit]
Corporate Operations

McLane Company operates 20 grocery distribution centers and 18 foodservice distribution centers across the country. From these locations the company regularly services every state and county in the United States.

The President & CEO of McLane Company is W. Grady Rosier. He has held that position since 1995 and is a 20-year veteran of the company.
[edit]
History

The history of McLane Company dates to 1894, when Robert McLane opened a small retail grocery store in downtown Cameron, Texas. In 1903, he expanded into wholesale trade, supplying grocery stores in neighboring towns via rail and horse-drawn wagons. During the 1920s through the 1940s, with the advent of the automobile and a robust highway system, his business grew rapidly to encompass much of the Central Texas region.

In 1966, McLane Company moved its operations to Temple, Texas, and began tailoring its warehouse operations and distribution methods to accommodate the unique needs of a nascent retail segment – convenience stores, which were popping up on many street corners and at many gasoline stations.

McLane Company pursued a plan of rapid expansion beyond Texas beginning in 1976 under the leadership of Drayton McLane, Jr., the third generation of family leadership. By 1990, the company had established a presence that was fully nationwide in scope.

In December 1990, Drayton McLane sold McLane Company to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. for 10.4 million shares of Wal-Mart stock and an undisclosed amount of cash. [2]

McLane Company entered the foodservice business in December 2000, when it acquired certain assets from AmeriServe Food Distribution to create McLane Foodservice. [3]

In May 2003, Berkshire Hathaway acquired McLane Company from Wal-Mart for $1.45 billion. [4]

In 2008 McLane opened its 20th grocery distribution center in Jessup, Pennsylvania and 18th foodservice distribution center in Manassas, Virginia. [5]
[edit]
Customers

Some prominent retail chains that receive one or more product categories from McLane are Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, WaWa, 7-Eleven, ExxonMobil, [6] and Target Stores. [7]

Among the national restaurant chains supplied by McLane Foodservice are the Yum! Brands family of concepts: Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silvers, and A&W Restaurants. [8]
[edit]
Specialty Divisions and Companies

McLane Company owns the following specialty divisions and subsidiary companies:
McLane Foodservice, Inc. is a leading supplier of food and foodservice items to restaurants throughout the US, serving more than 20,000 customers.
Salado Sales develops and markets private label products to McLane’s convenience store customers. Its lines include various health and beauty care items, film and flash products, light bulbs, motor oil and work gloves.
Professional Datasolutions, Inc. is a leading provider of software and services to the convenience and petroleum industries.
C.D. Hartnett, Inc. is a full-line grocery wholesaler based in Weatherford, Texas. C.D. Hartnett supplies food service accounts, convenience stores, and independent grocers in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. McLane Company acquired C.D. Hartnett in 2004. [9]
McCarty-Hull, Inc. is a full-line grocery wholesaler based in Amarillo, Texas. McLane acquired McCarty-Hull in 2006.[10]

XTRA Lease

Type Private
Founded 1992
Headquarters St. Louis, United States
Key people William H. Franz, President and CEO
Website http://www.xtralease.com

XTRA Lease, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a trailer leasing company formed in 1992 through the mergers of Strick Lease and AJF Leasing. It is one of the largest over-the-road trailer leasing and rental companies in North America.[1] Currently, the company has approximately 80 branch locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico (Now Just United States and Canada). In September 2001, XTRA Lease became part of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, headed by Warren Buffett. As of 2007, the company employs around 600 people.[2] The company rents and leases a fleet of 125,000 trailers, including variable length dry vans, flatbeds, reefers and storage trailers.[3]

The Canadian division of XTRA Lease, XTRA Canada, has five locations that serve the provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec.
[edit]
Services

Alongside leasing and rentals, XTRA Lease is also in the business of selling its used trailers and equipment at many of its branch locations.[4] In addition, a 24 hour emergency road side assistance, created in 1990 and known as RoadWatch, is also provided by the lessor. Other services provided include XTRA Xpress, which was created in 2004 with the aim of improving service to rental customers by reducing transaction time. [5]

FlightSafety Internationa

Type Private
Founded Flushing, NY (1951)
Headquarters La Guardia Airport, Marine Air Terminal
Key people Albert Ueltschi - founder and Chairman, Bruce Whitman - President & CEO
Industry Flight Training, Flight Simulator, Aerospace, Aviation
Products Commercial Aviation Training, Military Training, Full Flight Simulators, Visual Simulation, Simulation Software
Revenue reported in annual Berkshire Hathaway financial statements
Owner(s) Berkshire Hathaway
Employees 3,500+ worldwide
Website http://www.flightsafety.com/

FlightSafety International is a provider of professional aviation training, simulation equipment and software, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway NYSE: BRKA NYSE: BRKB

The company provides training for fixed and rotary wing pilots, flight attendants, dispatchers, and maintenance technicians. FlightSafety serves both corporate (business aviation) and commercial customers.
[edit]
Divisions
FlightSafety International - Simulation
FlightSafety Simulation Systems
FlightSafety Visual Simulation Systems
FlightSafety Services Corporation
FlightSafety Academy
FlightSafety CourseWare Support
MarineSafety International

NetJets Europe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NetJets Europe offers fractional ownership of private business jets.

Founded 1996
Fleet size 165
Destinations Point to point
Parent company Berkshire Hathaway
Headquarters Paço de Arcos, Portugal
Key people Mark Booth, William Kelly, Richard Santulli, Warren Buffett
Website http://www.netjetseurope.com

History

NetJets Europe, also known by its corporate legal name, NetJets Transportes Aéreos, SA, was founded in 1996 as a sister company of NetJets in the United States. In 2002 Mark Booth, the man who brought MTV to Europe and the former CEO of BSkyB, became the company’s Chairman and CEO. NetJets Europe offers products based on the fractional ownership programme developed in the US in 1986 by Richard Santulli, Chairman and CEO of NetJets Inc.
[edit]
Services

Fractional Ownership

NetJets Europe has a fractional ownership program where customers purchase a share in one of 11 aircraft types, starting at 50 hours a year. Owners retain financial and legal control over the asset and the share is assigned to a specific serial numbered aircraft. NetJets Europe is responsible for operating the aircraft, providing flight crew management, trip scheduling, ground support and all maintenance services. The company guarantees availability of an aircraft from 10 hours.

The NetJets Corporate Card and Private Jet Card

In 2004 NetJets Europe acquired Marquis Jet Europe and added the Private Jet Card which provides 25 hours on a jet. Soon after, the NetJets Corporate Card was also added, aimed at European companies.
[edit]
Staff

NetJets Europe Hawker 800XP CS-DNU at Innsbruck Airport in Austria. The NetJets Europe fleet is registered in Portugal

NetJets Europe operates in over 5,000 airports worldwide, with over 43 European airports serving as gateways (where flight crew can be based). All pilots must be residents of the EU or Switzerland.

Its offices are spread over Europe; sales and marketing are based in London, operations headquarters in Paço de Arcos, near Lisbon, Portugal and legal offices in Switzerland. There is also a dedicated maintenance operation based in Northolt near London, which helps servicing the company's aircraft.

Fleet

Raytheon Hawker 800XP

Total aircraft types: 11

Light cabin
Cessna Citation Bravo
Hawker 400XP

Midsized cabin
Hawker 800XP
Hawker 750
Cessna Citation XL/XLS
Hawker 4000

Large cabin
Falcon 7X
Falcon 2000EX/2000 Classic
Gulfstream IV/V/550
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NetJets Companies

NetJets Europe GMBH

NetJets Transportes Aéreos

NetJets Management Limited

NetJets

Founded 1986
Fleet size 800
Destinations Point to point
Parent company Berkshire Hathaway
Headquarters Columbus, Ohio
Key people Bruce Sundlun, Paul Tibbetts, Richard Santulli, Warren Buffett, David L. Sokol
Website http://www.netjets.com

NetJets, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, offers fractional ownership and rental of private business jets.

History

NetJets Inc. formerly Executive Jet Aviation, was founded in 1964 as one of the first private business jet charter and aircraft management companies. The founding members of the board of directors of Executive Jet Aviation Corporation (EJA), included Air Force generals Curtis E. LeMay, and Paul Tibbetts, Washington lawyer and former military pilot Bruce Sundlun, and entertainers James Stewart and Arthur Godfrey among others, with retired Air Force Brigadier General Olbert F. ("Dick") Lassiter as president and chairman of the board.[1][2] EJA initially began operations in 1964 with a fleet of ten Learjet 23 aircraft.[3] Bruce Sundlun became EJA president in 1970, and Paul Tibbetts became president in 1976. [4] By the the end late 1970s, EJA was doing business with approximately 250 contract flying customers and logging more than three million miles per year.

Executive Jet Aviation Corporation was purchased in 1984 by former Goldman Sachs executive Richard Santulli and he became chairman and CEO of the corporation. In 1986 the NetJets program was created by Santulli as the first fractional aircraft ownership program. In 1998, after being a NetJets customer for three years, Warren Buffett, Chairman & CEO of the Berkshire Hathaway company, acquired NetJets Inc.[5]

In early August of 2009 Santulli resigned as CEO and was replaced by David Sokol. [6]
[edit]
Services

NetJets sells fractions of specific aircraft, chosen from several available types at the time of purchase. When purchasing a fraction of an aircraft, the purchaser is considered an "owner." Being an owner offers customers the convenience, access, and time advantages of flying point to point in private jets. This also allows the owner access to more, often smaller, airports; possibly shortening travel to both arrival and departure point. Arrival and departure points along with departure time are chosen by the customer for each individual trip. Costs are higher than flying commercial carriers but lower than purchasing, staffing and maintenance of a similar private jet.
Fractional ownership — the price is pro-rated from the market price of a full aircraft. Owners then have guaranteed access (50-400 hours annually, depending on share size) to that aircraft with as little as four hours’ notice. If the owner's aircraft is unavailable for some reason, another aircraft of the same type, or a larger aircraft, will be provided. Fractional owners pay a monthly maintenance fee and an “occupied” hourly operating fee. The latter is charged only when an owner or guest is on board, not when the aircraft is flying to a pick up point, or flying to another location after completing a flight.
Marquis Jet Card — Marquis Jet is a separate company that exclusively offers NetJets aircraft under their "Marquis Card." This plan is aimed for people who need fewer than the minimum of 50 flight hours with fractional ownership plans and do not want the usual 5 year commitment of fractional ownership. All costs would be paid upfront and are sold in 25 hour increments.

H.H.BROWN

Justin Boots

Justin Boots are a brand of cowboy boots, owned by the Justin Brands company, which is in turn a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Justin Brands additionally owns brands Nocona and Tony Lama. The company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.[1]

Brief Cowboy History

The modern day cowboy boot is one of the most recognizable facets of American culture, and is dominated by the big five companies-Justin, Tony Lama, Nocona, Hyer, and Acme. Cattle ranching in the United States existed as early as 1767 in California, but did not begin until the 1820s in Texas. However, what most people think of when they picture the legendary cowboy lifestyle of the "hard working man," did not begin until 1867 with the construction of the transcontinental railroad. [2]
[edit]
Early Justin History

The look of the nineteenth-century cowboy boot has three important components: the high heel, the below-the-knee cut, and the side seams on the legs. [3] Justin cowboy boots have had a strong hold in the market as the true leader because of their reputation for quality craftsmanship and materials and their uniquely superb appearance.[4] H.J. "Joe" Justin, born in Lafayette, Indiana in 1859, sought out for Texas in 1879, eventually landing in Spanish Fort, Texas. While working at a barber shop, he learned how to repair boots and soon after he completed his first pair at home. He then opened a shoe repair and boot shop in which cowboys passing though town could place orders and pick up their new hand-crafted boots on their way back down the trail. [5]
[edit]
Justin's Growth Begins

Joe's new wife, Annie Allen, created the made-to-measure boot mail-order kit, a brand new idea for this market. The kit included a twenty-inch ruler, a chart diagramming foot and boot parts and a hand-written letter stating the prices of the few leathers that were available at that time: black calf, retan and kangaroo. [6] The business began to boom after the Justin family moved it to Nocona, Texas, whereupon Joe added his two sons John and Earl as partners in 1908, creating H.J. Justins & Sons. In 1910, the real growth began, with Justin boots being sold in 26 states, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba for $11 a pair. [7] By 1925 John and Earl decided they were outgrowing Nocona and started looking toward Fort Worth, which could provide better railroad services, a larger labor pool, a larger bank and better post-office facilities. [8]
[edit]
John Jr. Continues the Growth

In 1948 John's son, John, Jr., bought the controlling interest of Justin Boot Company from his uncle Earl. He was wise enough to realize that times were changing and so were interests in cowboy boots. Blue, green, red and yellow leather were one of the newest additions he brought into the factories, in many differing contrasting combinations, along with wing tips and fancy collars. This started to mark the age of the boots as more of a fashion necessity than a working necessity. [9]

Justin Cowboy Boots have come a long way in their tumultuous past. Their most recent acquisition of Tony Lama Boot Company in 1991 made them the dominating company of the industry. Justin Industries, composed of Tony Lama, Nocona, and Justin, produces a staggering 3.5 million+ pairs of cowboy boots annually! [10]

Acme Boots

History

Acme Boots was founded in 1929, during the Great Depression. Two Chicago shoe manufacturers, Jessel Cohn and his son, Sidney, decided to move their children’s and infants' shoemaking plant from Chicago, Illinois to Clarksville, Tennessee.

They set up their business in a two-story brick building on Crossland Avenue and called it the Acme Shoe Manufacturing Company. They hired 100 employees and began producing sandal-like footwear for children and infants under the name Just-Kids. The shoes sold for 40 to 50 cents a pair. The Cohns continued their children’s business until 1935, when the senior Cohn returned home from a business trip to Texas. While there, Cohn saw a pair of western boots that cost $65.00, well beyond the reach of the average shoe buyer at the time.

Cohn took a pair of boots back to Clarksville to see how they were made. He studied the boots carefully, noting every detail of their construction. After his inspection, he and his son decided they could produce the same boots on an assembly line, allowing them to sell the boots for a better price.

A short time later, the Cohns dropped their children’s footwear line in favor of the boots and re-named the company Acme Boots. In the 1940s, Acme Boots became the largest maker of cowboy boots and remained the world's largest until the mid 1980s.

Acme Boots has since been held by various corporations, including Arena Brands of Dallas, Texas, which licensed the Acme Brand to the Texas Boot Company of Lebanon, Tennessee in 2000.

In 2002, Texas Boot put the Acme Boot brand up for sale, where it was purchased by H.H. Brown, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, and placed under the Double-H Boots brand label, where it remains today. Acme was purchased to create a price point product story to compliment the Double-H brand of western boots and footwear.

Using the manufacturing facilities, technology and resources of H.H. Brown, the Acme Boot line has improved comfort and cushioning, updated the leathers and materials while maintaining competitive pricing.

Since 1842, Fechheimer has been manufacturing quality uniforms to serve working men and women. Today, Fechheimer's resources are global, with manufacturing partners in Central and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia to complement our three Union plants in the United States.

Along with the largest in-stock offering available, Fechheimer offers custom programs made to detailed specifications to meet an agency's particular needs.

Our goal is to bring you, the customer, products and programs that keep you looking your sharpest and feeling your best, providing protection in all climates and conditions. With our famed Flying Cross brand synonymous with quality, you can Wear it With Pride.

Fechheimer is based in Cincinnati, Ohio and is proud to be a Berkshire Hathaway company.

Garanimals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Garanimals is the name of a line of children's clothing separates, started in 1972 by Garan Incorporated. Each item of clothing features a hang-tag depicting one of several anthropomorphic animal characters, also called Garanimals. The philosophy behind Garanimals is that by making it easy for children to choose coordinated outfits by themselves (by choosing pieces with matching hang-tags), children gain self-confidence.

In February 2008 Garanimals was relaunched nationwide. The matching animal tag theme still exists only now more vibrant, modern styles and colors.

Russell Corporation

Type Subsidiary
Founded 1902
Headquarters Alexander City, Alabama
Industry sporting goods
Products Athletic shoes, apparel, sports equipment, accessories
Revenue $1.438 billion (FY 2005)[1]
Owner(s) Berkshire Hathaway
Website http://www.russellcorp.com/

Russell Corporation, headquartered in Alexander City, Alabama, is a manufacturer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment founded by Benjanmin Russell in 1902. Russell markets its products under many brands and subsidiaries, including Russell Athletic, Spalding, Huffy, and Brooks.

Formerly a publicly traded company, Russell Corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since 2006.Contents [hide]
1 Berkshire Hathaway sale
2 Honduran sweatshop controversy & boycott
3 Corporate influences
4 Timeline[21]
5 References
6 External links

[edit]
Berkshire Hathaway sale

On 1 August 2006, Russell shareholders approved the sale of their firm to Berkshire Hathaway for $18.00 per share in cash. The acquisition was successfully completed on the following day, 2 August. Russell's brands joined Fruit of the Loom in the Berkshire Hathway family of products.[1]
[edit]
Honduran sweatshop controversy & boycott

Members of United Students Against Sweatshops march outside of Russell Corporation's offices in Atlanta, GA.

Since January 2009, Russell faces the largest collegiate boycott of an apparel company in history over violations of labor codes in its Honduras manufacturing facilities.[2][3][4] The boycott is coordinated by United Students Against Sweatshops in the United States and Canada, and supports the campaign by the Honduran garment workers' union SITRAJERZEESH.[5][6]

The Worker Rights Consortium has documented violations of the rights of workers by Russell in its factory Jerzees de Honduras. The report finds that Russell illegally fired nearly 2,000 in two of its factories, in retaliation for employees protesting working conditions and forming a union. The report also states death threats were allegedly made against some members of the union, though not by high-level company management.[7] In response, over eighty universities have canceled their contracts with Russell, including Duke University, Georgetown University, University of Columbia, University of Michigan, University of Miami, University of Washington, University of Houston, Penn State University, Rutgers, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Purdue University, Cornell University, and the University of Florida.[8][9][10][11][12]

On May 13, 2009, sixty-five Congressmembers wrote to Russell CEO John Holland expressing their concern over the labor violations.[13] On June 25, 2009, Russell became the first collegiate licensee to be placed on probation by the Fair Labor Association.[14] Finally, a second report

At first, Russell said it was being unfairly targeted by the garment workers' union and student activists, and that the plant closure was due to the general down turn in the world economy[15]. Five schools announced they planned to continue doing business with Russell[16][17], however at least one of those, the University of Florida, has since terminated its licensing deal with Russell.[18][19] The company had issued a statement noting that it had recognized the unionization of the Jerzees de Honduras plant on October 3, 2007. In later statements, the company admitted wrongdoing, although the violations are yet to be resolved.[20]
[edit]
Corporate influences

Throughout its history, Russell Corporation has been involved in the manufacturing and selling of equipment for many professional, collegiate, and high school sports teams. Most notably of these are its stint of manufacturing uniforms for Major League Baseball, the production of official basketballs for the NBA (through its subsidiary Spalding), and the production of official footballs for the AFL (under the Sherrin Brand). Russell also makes uniforms for select high school and college baseball and football teams, which is one of the corporation's major divisions.
[edit]
Timeline[21]
1902 - The Russell Manufacturing Company is incorporated with Benjamin Russell as president. Assets include eight knitting machines and twelve sewing machines. The first finished product is a ladies' undershirt, or summer-weight vest. The mill's beginning capacity is 150 garments daily.
1912 - Electricity is installed in the Russell plant.
1914 - Russell purchases the Marble City Mills in Sylacauga, Alabama, but a cyclone demolished the plant that was covered by every known insurance, except windstorm.
1925 - Long underwear, sweaters, athletic shirts and ladies' bloomers are added to the production of ladies' vests, making a more complete product line.
1930 - The product line is again expanded to include fleece lined sweatshirts.
1932 - Russell acquires Southern Manufacturing Company which gives the company access to team apparel. This is the beginning of the Russell Athletic division's cutting and sewing operations.
1938 - Russell begins making woven athletic garments, including basketball, baseball and football pants and jackets.
1945 - Benjamin C. Russell dies and is succeeded as president by his brother, Thomas D. Russell.
1962 - Russell Manufacturing Company's name is changed to Russell Mills, Inc.
1967 - Russell develops the tear-away jersey.
1973 - Russell Mills' name is changed to Russell Corporation.
1983 - A line of styled sportswear and a line of basic T-shirts bearing the JERZEES label is introduced.
1985 - Russell's Common Stock begins trading on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on December 26, 1985.
1989 - Russell Corporation purchases Cloathbond, Limited, a knit apparel manufacturer in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. The name is later changed to Russell Corporation UK Limited.
1991 - Russell Corporation introduces NuBlend, a revolutionary poly/cotton fabric that virtually eliminates pilling. Russell also embarks on a massive recycling program with facilities located in Alexander City.
1994 - Russell Corporation acquires DeSoto Mills of Fort Payne, AL.
1995 - Sales reach $1 billion.
1997 - Russell is ranked 5th amongst apparel companies by Fortune Magazine in total return to investors over the 10 year period from 1986 to 1996.
1998 - John F. Ward is named Chairman, President, CEO of Russell Corporation.
1999 - Offices in Atlanta, GA are opened establishing dual headquarters with Alexander City.
2000 - Russell Corporation signs agreement to acquire the apparel operations of Haas Outdoors, Inc. and will create the Mossy Oak Apparel Company.
2002 - Russell acquires Moving Comfort
2003 - Russell acquires Bike Athletic and Spalding
2004 - Acquires AAI (American Athletic), Huffy Sports and Brooks Sports
2006 - On April 17, Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to purchase 100% of Russell in order to take the company private.
2006 - On August 2, Berkshire Hathaway officially purchased 100% of Russell Corporation.[1]
2006 - On August 3, Chairman and CEO John F. Ward resigned.
2009 - On January 29, the company announced it was closing its Atlanta headquarters

Fruit of the Loom

Fruit of the Loom is an American company which manufactures clothing, particularly underwear. The company's world headquarters are based in Bowling Green, Kentucky. One manufacturing facility still remains in Jamestown, Kentucky, and several other facilities are located across the Southeastern United States, from Louisiana to the Carolinas. Other facilities exist in Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Europe and North Africa. Until the late 1990s, much of the manufacturing was done in the United States.Contents [hide]
1 Company Profile
2 History
3 Honduras sweatshop controversy
4 References
5 Sources
6 External links

[edit]
Company Profile

Fruit of the Loom's main business focus is on branded products for consumers ranging from children to senior citizens. The company is one of the largest manufacturers and marketers of men's and boys' underwear, women's and girls' underwear, printable T-shirts and fleece for the activewear industry, casualwear, women's jeanswear and childrenswear.

The company sells its products to all major discount chains and mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs and screenprinters. The company also sells to many department, specialty, drug and variety stores, national chains, supermarkets and sports specialty stores.

Fruit of the Loom is unique in offering an unconditional guarantee on all the products it sells. The brand has significant market share for basic apparel. The familiar logo with the apple, purple grapes, green grapes, currants and leaves is ranked one of the most recognizable trademarks worldwide. The company is a vertically integrated manufacturer.

The company also controls another long-known underwear brand, B.V.D. (Bradley, Voorhees, and Day). Other brands also manufactured and sold by the company are Funpals/FunGals, Screen Stars and Underoos. Brands once owned or marketed by Fruit of the Loom include Gitano, Munsingwear, Salem Sportswear, and Pro Player, which once had the naming rights to what is now LandShark Stadium (originally Joe Robbie Stadium) in Miami, Florida from 1996 to 2005, despite bankruptcy by the parent company in 1999.

Hanes and Jockey are the main competitors to Fruit of the Loom.

The name "Fruit of the Loom" is interpreted by many as a play on words with respect to a part of the Hail Mary prayer: "...blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus." (cf. Gospel of Luke 1:42) The two phrases are unrelated: it is merely a coincidence that "womb" rhymes with "loom".

The familiar Fruit Of the Loom Guys consist of an apple, green grapes, purple grapes, and leaves that tend to change color often. They perform several songs and appear in all Fruit of the Loom commercials. The role of "Apple" is played by Rad Daly and the "Leaf" was played by Academy Award winning actor F. Murray Abraham.
[edit]
History

Fruit of the Loom headquarters building in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The Fruit of the Loom brand dates back to 1851 in Rhode Island when Robert Knight, a textile mill owner, visited his friend, Rufus Skeel. Mr. Skeel owned a small shop in Providence, Rhode Island that sold cloth from Mr. Knight's mill. Mr. Skeel's daughter painted images of apples and applied them to the bolts of cloth. The ones with the apple emblems proved most popular. Mr. Knight thought the labels would be the perfect symbol for his trade name, Fruit of the Loom.

In 1871, just one year after the first trademark laws were passed by Congress, Mr. Knight received patent number 418 for the brand, Fruit of the Loom.

Much of its athletic outerwear was sold under the "Pro Player" label, a now defunct division.

The company was part of Northwest Industries, Inc., until NWI was purchased by William F. Farley in 1985 and renamed Farley Industries, Inc. Farley served as President, CEO, and majority shareholder for 15 years. Fruit of the Loom's sales revenue rose from approximately $500 million at the time of NWI's purchase to roughly $2.5 billion nearly 15 years later. Debt financing, once seen as brilliant, proved difficult to manage even as sales revenue quintupled.

The Fruit of the Loom Guys, popular advertising characters from the 1980s.

Fruit of the Loom filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1999 shortly after posting a net loss of $576.2 million. Its 66 million shares of outstanding common stock dropped in value from about $44 per share in early 1997 to just more than $1 by the spring of 2000. Reasons for the bankruptcy are varied. A large debt load which was assumed in the 1980s, a common practice at the time, did not help. William F. Farley, the company's former chairman, chief executive officer, and chief operating officer was forced out prior to bankruptcy in late 1999, after having piloted the company into massive debt and unproductive business ventures, including structuring the company into an off-shore entity in the Cayman Islands to avoid taxes.

The company was bought from bankruptcy by Berkshire Hathaway Corporation, controlled by legendary investor Warren Buffett, who wanted the valuable brand. He agreed in January 2002 to purchase the company for approximately $835 million in cash. The deal was concluded on April 29, 2002. A condition of the purchase required that former Chief Operating Officer and the then interim CEO, John Holland, remain available to be the CEO for the company.[1]

The company purchased Russell Corporation, effectively taking the former competitor private in a deal that was completed August 1, 2006.

The company announced the purchase of VF Corporation's intimate apparel company named Vanity Fair Intimates for $350 million in cash on January 23, 2007.[2]
[edit]
Honduras sweatshop controversy

Students protest outside Fruit of the Loom office in Telford over worker rights violations at the company's Honduras factories.

Beginning in January 2009, Fruit of the Loom and its subsidiary, Russell Corporation, face a major boycott over worker rights violations at its factories in Honduras, where it is the largest private employer.[3][4] The controversy has caused nearly 100 universities to terminate deals with Russell, leading to significant losses for Fruit of the Loom.[5][6][7]