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Warren Buffett began acquiring shares of struggling textile manufacturer Berkshire Hathaway in 1962.
He defied conventional wisdom, recognizing the hidden value in the company's assets.
The modest investment would grow into the holding company that helped make Buffett one of the world's wealthiest individuals.
Warren Buffett made the move in 1967 to acquire the struggling National Indemnity Company for $8.6 million—his first investment in insurance.
This purchase not only proved highly profitable but also established the foundation of Berkshire Hathaway's future insurance empire.
Buffett shocked investment circles in 1998 with his $22 billion acquisition of reinsurance giant General Re.
It was Berkshire Hathaway's largest deal at the time.
It was a smart purchase as General Re strengthened Berkshire's financial position over the decades, notably providing stability during major crises like 9/11.
At the start of the 2000s, Berkshire Hathaway expanded into housing-related businesses, acquiring Benjamin Moore, Johns Manville, and Shaw Industries for their reliable cash flows and sound business fundamentals.
The moves reinforced Buffett's reputation as a masterful investor, known to identify hidden value opportunities that others overlooked.
In 2002, Buffett purchased two consumer goods companies: Fruit of the Loom for $835 million and Pampered Chef for $900 million.
These brands delivered substantial cash flows and profits for Berkshire Hathaway, validating Buffett's focus on traditional businesses.
In 2003, Warren Buffett expanded Berkshire Hathaway's home industry presence by acquiring Clayton Homes for $1.7 billion and McLane Company for $1.5 billion.
Overlooked businesses at the time for their slim margins.
In 2007, Berkshire Hathaway made its largest acquisition yet by purchasing the Marmon Group for $4.5 billion—a company with over 125 diverse manufacturing and service businesses across multiple sectors.
Warren Buffett recognized its portfolio of stable companies with reliable cash flows and valuable infrastructure assets.
During the 2008 financial crisis, Berkshire Hathaway invested $8 billion in struggling giants Goldman Sachs and GE.
They were able to secure favorable terms, including warrants and high dividend rates.
True to his contrarian investment philosophy, Buffet provided critical support to America's financial foundations when others fled.
Warren Buffett made his largest-ever acquisition in 2009 with the $34 billion purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway.
It sent shockwaves down Wall Street.
With BNSF's 778 miles of rail network remaining crucial to U.S. commerce regardless of economic conditions, it was a safe and profitable move.
Berkshire Hathaway decided on a $9 billion acquisition of specialty chemicals company Lubrizol in 2010, responding to a Goldman Sachs leak by imposing a 72-hour deadline.
It expanded Berkshire's materials portfolio and showcased Buffett's continued ability to swiftly deploy capital for essential infrastructure businesses.
In 2013, Berkshire Hathaway partnered with 3G Capital to acquire Heinz for $28 billion.
It was the largest transaction of that year.
In a shift from his previous criticism of airlines as poor investments, Berkshire Hathaway invested billions in major U.S. carriers in 2016, including American, Delta, Southwest, and United Continental.
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