ATLANTA, GA and OMAHA, NE ¾  December 17, 2001 ¾  Albecca Inc. and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A and BRK.B) announced today that Craig Ponzio, Albecca’s sole shareholder, has signed a definitive agreement to sell for cash 100% of the shares of Albecca to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The sale is expected to close by the end of January following various required regulatory approvals.

Current management of Albecca led by President and CEO Steve McKenzie will remain in place and will continue with the company. Craig Ponzio will continue in his current role of Chairman and designer. Ponzio stated, "We are excited about the new ownership of Albecca. We feel this association will allow Albecca the opportunity to better serve our customers and the industry."

Mr. Warren Buffett, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. commented, "Craig Ponzio has done a remarkable job of building a wonderful business and is leaving the business in good hands under the leadership of Steve McKenzie."

Albecca designs, manufactures, and distributes a complete line of high-quality, branded custom picture framing products. The company anticipates no change in the way it does business.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities. The most important of these is the property and casualty insurance business conducted on both a direct and reinsurance basis through a number of subsidiaries.

Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements reflecting Albecca’s and Berkshire Hathaway’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events which could materially affect Albecca’s performance in the future. Albecca and Berkshire Hathaway caution that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties including changes in economic and market conditions and other risks noted in Albecca’s SEC filings, which may cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated. Albecca and Berkshire Hathaway undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.