Have you ever wondered just how many people it takes to run one of the world's largest and most diversified companies? It's a question that many people ask when they look at the seemingly simple corporate structure of Berkshire Hathaway. And the answer might surprise you!
Let's dive into the fascinating world of Berkshire Hathaway's workforce, exploring not just the number of employees, but also where they work and why the number is so much larger than you might expect.
Step 1: The Misconception of the "Small" Headquarters
So, you've heard the stories about Warren Buffett's famously small corporate office in Omaha, Nebraska. It's true! The corporate headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway is incredibly lean, with a staff of only around 25 to 30 people. This is a deliberate part of Warren Buffett's philosophy of decentralized management, where he gives the leaders of his subsidiary companies a high degree of autonomy.
But here's the catch: that small number is just the tip of the iceberg. It's like looking at the captain of a ship and thinking he's the only one on board. The real workforce is out there, in the engine rooms, on the decks, and in the thousands of ports they serve.
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| How Many Employees Berkshire Hathaway Has |
Step 2: Unveiling the True Employee Count
If the corporate office has so few people, where are all the employees? The answer lies in the sheer scale of Berkshire Hathaway's operations. Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company, which means it owns a vast and diverse portfolio of businesses. These are not just investments; they are fully-owned subsidiaries that employ hundreds of thousands of people.
So, how many employees are we talking about in total?
As of the end of fiscal year 2024, Berkshire Hathaway had a consolidated workforce of approximately 392,400 employees.
This number is a testament to the incredible breadth of the company's holdings, ranging from railroads to insurance to candy and everything in between.
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
Step 3: A Deep Dive into the Numbers
Let's break down the employee count over the past few years to see how it has grown and changed. This will give you a better understanding of the company's expansion and workforce dynamics.
Annual Employee Count (2015-2024)
Here is a summary of the employee count over the past decade:
2024: 392,400
2023: 396,500
2022: 383,000
2021: 372,000
2020: 360,000
2019: 391,500
2018: 389,000
2017: 377,000
2016: 367,700
2015: 331,000
Key Takeaways from the Data:
Steady Growth: The overall trend has been one of steady growth, reflecting Berkshire's continued acquisitions of new companies.
A slight decrease in 2024: You might notice a slight dip from 2023 to 2024. This small fluctuation is common in large companies and can be due to various factors like divestitures, workforce optimization within a subsidiary, or natural employee turnover. It's important to look at the long-term trend rather than a single year's change.
A Significant Increase in 2016: The jump in employee count in 2016 is particularly noticeable. This can often be attributed to a major acquisition in that fiscal year.
Step 4: Where Do All These Employees Work?
The employees are scattered across a wide range of industries and companies. This is the essence of Berkshire Hathaway's diversified portfolio. Here are just a few examples of the types of businesses and industries that contribute to that massive employee count:
Insurance: GEICO, General Re, and a host of other insurance companies form a core part of the business. These companies have large workforces for customer service, claims processing, and underwriting.
Railroad: BNSF Railway is a massive operation that employs tens of thousands of people to manage its extensive rail network, locomotives, and other assets.
Utilities and Energy: Berkshire Hathaway Energy operates electricity and natural gas utilities across the United States and Canada, employing a significant number of engineers, technicians, and other staff.
Manufacturing and Services: This is a broad category that includes everything from Precision Castparts Corp. (aerospace components) to Lubrizol Corporation (chemicals) and a variety of others.
Retail: Companies like See's Candies, Dairy Queen, and Nebraska Furniture Mart contribute a substantial number of employees, especially in customer-facing roles.
Other Diversified Businesses: The portfolio also includes companies in textiles (Fruit of the Loom), jewelry (Borsheims), and even media (Business Wire).
Step 5: The "Why" Behind the Numbers
Tip: Summarize each section in your own words.
The number of employees at Berkshire Hathaway is a direct reflection of its business model. Unlike many modern conglomerates that centralize operations and management, Berkshire Hathaway operates with a high degree of decentralization. This means that each subsidiary is largely responsible for its own operations, including hiring and human resources.
This decentralized structure has several advantages:
Efficiency: Each business can operate with a focus on its own industry, free from a large, top-down bureaucracy.
Autonomy: The management of each company has the freedom to make decisions that are best for their specific business.
Diversification: By owning a wide variety of businesses, Berkshire Hathaway diversifies its risk and revenue streams.
So, while Warren Buffett and his small team at the corporate office may be the face of Berkshire Hathaway, the true strength and scale of the company are in its enormous and diverse workforce across the globe.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find a job at Berkshire Hathaway?
To find a job, you should look at the individual career pages of Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiary companies, as the corporate office does not handle hiring for the entire portfolio. You can find a list of these subsidiaries on the Berkshire Hathaway website.
How to understand the difference between the corporate office and subsidiaries' employee count?
The corporate office has a very small, lean team (around 25-30 people) that oversees the entire enterprise, while the vast majority of employees (over 390,000) work at the various, independently-run companies that Berkshire Hathaway owns, such as GEICO, BNSF, and Dairy Queen.
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
How to see the historical employee count of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can find historical employee data in the company's annual reports (10-K filings) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as on financial data websites that track this information.
How to learn about the different industries where Berkshire Hathaway employees work?
You can explore the official Berkshire Hathaway website, which provides a list of its subsidiaries, or read the annual shareholder letters and reports, which often provide insights into the operations of their major business segments.
How to apply for a job at a specific Berkshire Hathaway company?
Visit the official website of the specific subsidiary company you are interested in (e.g., GEICO, BNSF, Clayton Homes) and look for their "Careers" or "Join Us" section, where they will list their open positions.
How to know if a company is a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary?
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
A list of Berkshire Hathaway's major subsidiaries can be found on their official corporate website, under the "Links to Berkshire Hathaway Sub. Companies" section.
How to compare Berkshire Hathaway's employee count to other large companies?
You can compare Berkshire Hathaway's consolidated employee count to other large multinational corporations by consulting their annual reports or using financial data services that track these metrics for public companies.
How to get a job at the Berkshire Hathaway corporate headquarters?
Given the extremely small size of the corporate team, positions at the Omaha headquarters are rare and highly sought after. They are typically filled through internal referrals or by highly experienced professionals in the finance and investment sectors.
How to understand the decentralized management style's impact on employment?
The decentralized management style means that hiring decisions, employee benefits, and company culture are largely determined at the subsidiary level, not by the corporate headquarters. This allows for a great deal of variety in employment practices across the portfolio.
How to find out which Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary has the most employees?
While the exact breakdown can change, major subsidiaries like BNSF Railway, GEICO, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy typically account for a significant portion of the total employee count. You can often find this information in the company's detailed annual reports.
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