...Abstract This paper will discuss a company profile for Berkshire Hathaway. This profile will include a brief history of Berkshire Hathaway's humble beginnings as a textile manufacturer, and subsequent diversification into a successful powerhouse holdings company that has spread it's risk into a variety of industries. These industries include insurance, utilities, building materials, furniture, jewelry, apparel and food companies. This paper will examine Berkshire's recent financial situation over the last 5 years. while touching on the CEO compensation package. The CEO behind this conglomerate, Warren Buffet, is considered to be one of the greatest investors of the 20th Century. Since Buffet took over in 1965, with his 20% majority share of ownership, Berkshire Hathaway, has grown to include over 50 firms under the corporate name. For the last 36 years , "The Oracle of Omaha" as Warren Buffet is known, has lived by a simple philosophy to invest in strong managed companies that produced good products but were inherently undervalued in the market. (Hoover's, 2013) This paper will also discuss Berkshire's competition for their major industries. Company Profile Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company that has subsidiaries in the manufacturing, retail, and service industries and most importantly reinsurance companies. The company itself was founded by Oliver Chase back in 1889 in New Bedford, MA, under the...
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...Team #2 Introduction of each group member by name and major Name of the company Baskin Robbins Description of primary products or services offered Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbins creates and markets innovative, premium ice cream, specialty frozen desserts and beverages, providing quality and value to consumers at nearly 7,300 retail shops in nearly 50 countries. Your view of the perception that customers have of the company I like the ice cream of Baskin Robbins, especially the cotton candy and Oreo cookie flavors. Every times I pass the Baskin Robbins, I always see there are some people in the shop. I go there at least once a week with my friends because I think it is good to eat something sweet while sharing my experience this week with my friends. What do you think is their greatest strength They have already accumulated credit and prestige before, since it is a chain of ice cream specialty shops. The location is also an advantage of it. It sets in the downtown of Davis where has a large stream of people. What do you think is their greatest weakness Though it is famous in other places, I do not think it does enough propaganda in Davis. Moreover, its products can be purchased online which means the sales of the entity store would decrease. Who are their top three competitors Sweets station: Icekrimski Cafe Frozen yogurt Sweet and Shavery Share tea (though they have different products, they are still...
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...Company Overview B ritish American Tobacco is a British multinational tobacco company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest quoted tobacco company by market share (after Philip Morris International), and has a leading position in over 50 countries and operations in more than 180 countries. Its brands include Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall. BAT has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. As of 26 December 2011 it had a market capitalization of £59.2 billion, the sixth-largest of any company listed on the London Stock Exchange. It has a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. They are leading more than 50 countries and have their presence in more than 180 countries with approximately 50,000 employees. BAT is committed to providing consumers with pleasure through excellent products, and to demonstrating that they are meeting their commercial goals in ways that are consistent with reasonable societal expectations of a responsible tobacco group in the 21st century. BAT is designed to deliver their vision and build shareholder value. It is based on growth, funded by productivity and delivered by a winning organization that acts responsibly at all times. History Born international O n 29 September 1902 the UK’s Imperial Tobacco Company and the American Tobacco Company of the United States form a joint venture, the British American Tobacco Company, in...
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...Company Overview of Lowe’s Second to only Home Depot, Lowe’s is a leading retailer in home improvement commodities and hardware products. Founded in 1946, Carl Buchan envisioned a chain of hardware stores from a small town in North Carolina. Now with more than 1,750 stores, in all fifty states, Canada and Mexico, Lowe’s prides itself on top quality products at everyday low prices (About Lowe’s: Lowe’s Newsroom, n.d). Lowe’s has over 245,327 employees on their payroll and offers a respectable total rewards benefits package to both its full-time and part-time employees. (2012 Annual Report: Lowe’s, 2012). Current Total Rewards Program at Lowe’s In order to retain and recruit top-notch employees, Lowe’s offers benefits that are sought after by many. Several options for health care benefits are allotted depending on co-pay amounts, which cover standard care, prescriptions, dental, and vision. Lowe’s total rewards package offers paid and unpaid time off from work to their employees as well as a basic sick pay leave. In both vacation and sick pay, employees, after 89 consecutive days of employment, will accrue six days per year. (Lowe’s Employee Benefits, n.d). Employees have access to stock purchase plans, and 401K plans while employed at Lowe’s. “Lowes matches the first 3% deferred at each pay period at 100%” (Lowe’s Employee Benefits”, n.d, n.p.). In addition to these somewhat standard offerings, Lowe’s offers quite a few other notable benefits: • Life Insurance – Several plans...
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...Company Selection Overview Gateway Technical College has served its community since 1911 maintaining a their focus on the current mission statement which states: “…collaborate to ensure economic growth and viability by providing education, training, leadership, and technological resources to meet the changing needs of students, employers, and communities,” (The Gateway Conversation, 2009). Collaboration with the community is the foundation of the Gateway Technical College history. The history and story of Gateway is an exciting and unique one, which reflects their role as leader and innovator in the educating and servicing a diverse student body. Gateway development of distinctive educational programs to meet the current and future needs of employers give students a competitive advantage and employability skills that surpass those of competitors. Gateway Technical College is one of sixteen technical colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Gateway operates independently from the other fifteen colleges, but is governed by the Wisconsin Technical College System regulations. The industry and sector that Gateway can be classified under would be Technical and Trade Schools (Census.gov, 2012). The product that Gateway offers is programs that include apprenticeships, certificates, and associate degree courses all geared towards career training programs. Gateway is mandated through the state to set certain charges for classes to align with the Wisconsin Technical...
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...Company Overview “Costco Wholesale Corporation operates an international chain of membership warehouses, under the "Costco Wholesale" name, that carry quality, brand name merchandise at substantially lower prices than are typically found at conventional wholesale or retail sources”. Incorporated in 1983 it now have more than 76.4 million cardholders (as of 31/08/2014) about 671 warehouses worldwide with 112.3 billion in Annual Revenues (where approximately 4.2 billion from memberships), being the ninth largest in the World. Costco utilized its unique the membership warehouse concept, designed to primarily target small and medium sized businesses as well as individual shoppers. It offers one of the largest and most exclusive product category selections that can be found under the same roof. “According to Jim Sinegal, the Company's Co-Founder and Director, "Costco is able to offer lower prices and better values by eliminating virtually all the frills and costs historically associated with conventional wholesalers and retailers, including salespeople, fancy buildings, delivery, billing and accounts receivable. We run a tight operation with extremely low overhead which enables us to pass on dramatic savings to our members."” Highlights According to the Annual Report for 2014 FY, Costco reported Net Sales growth for the fifth consecutive year, averaging about 9.695% increase per year, with the consistent Expense rate of approximately 9.98% to Net Sales, finishing with the strong...
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...just that, a company that provides general nutrition and supplements for differing lifestyles. GNC has made it a point to welcome all lifestyles and all nutrition based consumers, however most stores are comprised of at least 50% sports nutrition and this is the main money maker for the company seeing as most sports nutrition supplements are the pricier items. However this does not stop them from offering any and all supplements online at www.gnc.com and gives the company a much wider and international presence in the market. Overseas and locally herbal supplements are very popular, however is undoubtedly obvious that the main target market are those looking to “live well” (the company’s motto)( "GNC: Vitamins, Supplements, Minerals, Herbs, Sports Nutrition, Diet & Energy and more - We're committed to exceeding your expectations."). The target market of active young adults is a perfect market for this firm seeing as most products are expensive and require a resupply every month, and since these products supplement a lifestyle, most of GNC’s customers see these expensive products as necessities and not luxury goods. The nutrition industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and in 2010 generated just shy of $30billion. That same year, $1.8 billion of that pot went into GNC’s pockets. (CITE) GNC holds only about 6% of the industry but has a fairly steady growth rate and expects to control roughly 10-12% within the next few years.( "GNC Prospectus Summary.") This company is obviously...
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...are sourced from their own plantations as well as from registered suppliers. The raw materials are of the “Organic” category as well as conventional types. The organization started its commercial operations in 2003 under the guidance of BOI and it is a leading company which is revolve in corporate environment with hierarchy driven by board of directors which positions are held by the members of family. It is a hundred percent Sri Lankan company which is specialized in manufacturing and exporting Spice, Oleoresins and Essential oils, extracted from Cinnamon Bark, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove Bud, Clove Stem, Ginger, Lemon grass, Mace, Citronella, Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Cardamom and Lime by the methods of Hydro/ Steam Distillation and Solvent Extraction followed by filtration, purification and conditioning while developing the Sri Lankan true identity to the world. The organizational success basically depends on the continuous Research and Development work, carried out to find out new products which are of importance to constant development of organizational growth that would be beneficial to all the stakeholders, by keeping product quality within organizational theme of “Quality is our Pride“. The dedicated efforts of the company to achieve excellence in product quality to match the customer preference were highly recognized and had been selected as the winner of several prestigious awards. Food Safety Management System has been established in compliance with the requirements of the...
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...COMPETING BY TRULY BEING DIFFERENT: COMPETING BY TRULY BEING DIFFERENT Company Background – The Sultan of Sound: Company Background – The Sultan of Sound In 2007 Forbes Magazine ranked Amar Bose, founder and CEO of Bose Corp., among the world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs and business leaders and named him as the 271st among America’s 400 wealthiest American billionaires. His success: his innate curiosity for the way things work (especially sound technology) and the constant need to improve and advance through study, research, and observation. When it comes to engineering, Bose affirms that his motto has always been about quality: "Do whatever it takes to make it better than it was before. If you do that, everything else [i.e., money] will come along." Dr. Amar Bose Company Background: Company Background Industry Information Address: The Mountain Framingham, Massachusetts 01701-9168 U.S.A. Statistics: Private Company Founded: 1964 Employees: 8,000 Sales: $1.1 billion (2000 est.) NAIC: 334310 Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing Company Background: Company Background Product and Technology Specializes in manufacturing and installation of audio, home entertainment, automotive, aviation, space program, commercial setting ( stadiums, auditoriums, arenas, retail spaces and restaurants) Consumer Product Company Background: Company Background Bose Philosophy Company Background – Bose Perspective : Company Background – Bose Perspective Bose believes that audio products exist...
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...Outthinking, Outdoing; that is the company slogan for, Convergys Corporation. Convergys as it is more commonly known is based out of Cincinnati, Oh. The company specializes in providing customer management and information management serives to large corporations. In laymen terms Convergys is an outsourcing company. When you hear the word outsourcing the first thought that comes to most people minds is shipping jobs overseas and taking jobs away from Americans. Although Convergys does have centers in many nations throughout the world including Asia and India, they have a large portion of their business located in the United States and Canada. What they mean by an outsourcing company, is Convergys will enter into contracts with many types of business and large corporations to handle certain things that these companies cannot handled in house, either because of cost or size. Some examples of are they handle the Customer Service calls for AT&T Uverse, Yellowpages.com, and Eyemed vision care. Customer service is a large portion of their business but they also have some market research and Corporate sales contracts with various companies. Convergys started out as a division of Cincinnati Bell information systems and MATRIXX which were subsidiaries of Cincinnati Bell and AT&T. Convergys’s first public offering was made in 1998 making it a independent company, and since that time it has grown to acquire more and more smaller companies and lines of business. In 2010 Convergys...
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...Zarin Bushra Accounting 153 Term Paper I. Tootsie Roll Company Overview • Tootsie Roll is one of the largest candy companies within our country • Their confectionary products are distributed to over 75 countries worldwide • Their largest customer is Walmart; their market mainly consists of retailers and candy distributors • Tootsie Roll employs about 2,200 people II. Liquidity Ratios • Working Capital Year Tootsie Roll Hershey 2011 $153,846 $872,783 2010 $176,662 $706,372 2009 $155,812 $474,806 2008 $129,967 $74,733 • Current Ratio Year Tootsie Roll Hershey 2011 3.64:1 1.74:1 The industry average is 2010 4.02:1 1.54:1 1.50:1 2009 3.78:1 1.52:1 2008 3.22:1 1.06:1 Both Tootsie Roll and Hershey have good liquidity ratios. Tootsie Roll’s working capital shows that the company should be able to pay off its’ liabilities or debts. Tootsie Roll is performing at above the industry average, which shows that the company has great liquidity. Based on the liquidity ratios, I would lend Tootsie Roll the $10 million short term note III. Solvency Ratios • Debt to Total Assets Ratio Year Tootsie Roll Hershey 2011 22% 80% The industry average is 57% 2010 22% 78% 2009 22% 79% 2008 22% 90% 2007 21% 85% Tootsie Roll has been consistent within the last couple years. Compared to Hershey, Tootsie Roll has great solvency. Tootsie Roll should not have a problem with...
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...Intel Company Overview Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore were among the eight founders of Fairfield Semiconductor in the late 1950’s. While at Fairchild Moore & Noyce decided to branch out on their own and start a company developing large scale integrated circuits. Noyce wrote a one page business plan that attracted an investor named Art Rock, who was also at Fairchild. Rock was able to sell their vision to other investors and raised 2.5 million dollars in only two days. Together with this money they started Intel in 1968 and within the first two years they developed the first micro processor, as well as the first erasable programmable memory. This helped the company earn their first million dollars by 1973 and their first billion by 1983. In the early 90’s Intel CEO was Andrew Grove, also from Fairchild, he created Intel Inside Campaign that helped the Intel brand grow to the third most valuable in the world. Controlling 85% of the market Intel was the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world with plants in Europe, Asia and the United States. By the early 21st century, Intel's microprocessors were found in more than 80 percent of personal computers worldwide. Then-CEO Craig Barrett attempted to diversify the company's business beyond semiconductors, but few of these activities were ultimately successful. Intel remained competitive through a combination of clever marketing, well-supported research and development, superior manufacturing proficiency, and a vital corporate...
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..."OVERVIEW" (Everything company is into and stuff) A US $40 billion corporation, the Aditya Birla Group is in the League of Fortune 500. It is anchored by an extraordinary force of over 120,000 employees belonging to 42 nationalities. The Group has been ranked Number 4 in the global 'Top Companies for Leaders' survey and ranked Number 1 in Asia Pacific for 2011. 'Top Companies for Leaders' is the most comprehensive study of organisational leadership in the world conducted by Aon Hewitt, Fortune Magazine, and RBL (a strategic HR and Leadership Advisory firm). The Group has topped the Nielsen's Corporate Image Monitor 2013-14 and emerged as the Number 1 corporate, the 'Best in Class', for the second consecutive year. Over 50 per cent of the Aditya Birla Group's revenues flow from its overseas operations. The Group operates in 36 countries – Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Korea, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, and Vietnam. Aditya Birla Group – The Global Scenario Around the world, we're known for: A metals powerhouse, among the world's most cost-efficient aluminium and copper producers. Hindalco-Novelis is the largest aluminium rolling company. It is one of the three biggest producers of primary aluminium in Asia with the largest single...
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...ABSTRACT Barnes & Noble is a Fortune 500 company, and a leader in their field. The business is multi-faceted; in addition to their paper & ink product offering, the company also has a strong DVD, magazine, and eBook base; the wide variety of products offered may help the company to continue exhibiting strong growth in the future. In 2009, Barnes & Noble introduced the Nook e-reader, a device that would allow the company to enter the quickly growing market of electronic books. The Nook was an instant success, with sales of the device and of electronic books skyrocketing for the first few years. Barnes & Noble responded to this success by pouring additional resources into the Nook product line, enhancing the device and partnering with other tech giants in order to ensure the Nook remained the best e-reader on the market. However, as other competitors entered the market with lower prices and different options, Nook sales began to fall. This paper examines the history of Barnes & Noble, the evolution of the Nook product line, and the current questionable profitability of the Nook line. Barnes & Noble is a large and successful business with humble origins. The company was originally established in the early 1900s by the son of an Illinois book-printer, and was acquired by Leonard Riggio in 1971. Riggio was an innovative bookseller and entrepreneur, who at the time owned and operated a highly successful chain of college bookstores. When he purchased the floundering Barnes...
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...Weekly Reflection – A Review of Wal-Mart Tim Justice, Leisa Allender, Michael Hyde, Matthew ECO/365 December 2, 13 Christopher Rakovalis Weekly Reflection – A Review of Wal-Mart Economics is a widely popular subject studied by economists around the world. Economics is divided into two primary sub-categories; macroeconomics and microeconomics. “Microeconomics is the study of individual choice and how that choice is influenced by economic forces” (Colander, 2008, p. 15). Wal-Mart, a retail conglomerate with retail locations found in many countries, is a perfect example of how one businessman who understood the theories of efficiency and the invisible hand theorem, created one of the world’s largest retailers. This reflection attempts to explain the history of Wal-Mart, the market in which it operates, the role of government regulations of the retail industry, and issues or opportunities faced by Wal-Mart today. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Wal-Mart) was a vision for Sam Walton while he was operating a Ben Franklin variety store in Newport, Arkansas, in the late 1940s. Sam was always looking for deals from his suppliers and instead of pocketing the profits as the majority of retailers often do; he passed the savings on to the customers and earned his profits from volume. Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas, on July 2, 1962. What began as a small discount retail store has grown to thousands of stores in the United States and expanded internationally as well...
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