Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company with a wide array of subsidiaries engaged in diverse activities. The firm's core business segment is insurance, run primarily through Geico, Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group, and Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group. Berkshire has used the excess cash thrown off from these and its other operations over the years to acquire Burlington Northern Santa Fe (railroad), Berkshire Hathaway Energy (utilities and energy distributors), and the companies that make up its manufacturing, service, and retailing operations (which include five of Berkshire's largest noninsurance pretax earnings generators: Precision Castparts, Lubrizol, Claytonmore
Manufacturer and distributor of paints, stains and industrial coatings. The company manufactures residential, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings, primers, paints, colors and finishes. It provides interior, exterior and architectural coatings for wood and composite decks, as well as fences, siding and outdoor furniture applications, thereby enabling its customers to be provided with quality products at a competitive price.