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Why hasn't Berkshire made more acquisitions overseas?

Buffett & Munger2014-05-03videoOpen original ↗

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SpeakersQuestioner1Warren1
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QuestionerBerkshire has deployed very little capital outside of the U.S., which is ISCAR and more recently Alta Link coming to mind. Is the U.S. truly that much more attractive a destination for capital, or is there some other reason why the firm has not deployed serious capital outside of the region?
WarrenYeah. We've never turned down a chance to make a significant acquisition outside of the United States because of any feeling we'd much rather be doing something in the United States. But we have not had as much luck getting on the radar screen of owners around the world as we have in the United States. Our best bet by far in buying a business is to buy it from the family of a founder or the founder himself or herself. So we've, you know, that's our strong suit. And in the United States, I think almost anybody that fits in that category. with a business of size thinks of us. And a fair number would prefer us. I don't think that same, I think there's some recognition outside the U.S. Certainly when we heard from Iscar, that was in 2006. Aiton Werdheimer said, he wrote me a letter. I'd never heard of him before. I'd never heard of the company. And he said the family had thought about it, and we were the only company to which they wanted to sell. And if they didn't sell it to us, they weren't going to sell it. So there's some awareness, but I've been a little disappointed in that we haven't had better lock outside the country, and we'll keep working at it and see what happens. Its car has been a wonderful company for us. The people have been sensational. The business is extraordinary. It just fits us so well that I just wish I could find a few more like it out there. But this year. Uh, aside from the one we announced yesterday, we have not been contacted by any significant, significant ones that made sense. We, we have, we have heard from people, uh, over the last five years. I mean, we've fair number, but, but nothing that really, uh, really, uh, makes sense. But we'll keep trying.