MiTek Inc.

MiTek Inc.

MiTek Inc. was founded in 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri, initially as a manufacturer of metal connector plates for roof trusses. The company expanded into integrated software and machinery for the building components industry, and in 2001 was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway — becoming one of the conglomerate's many durable, operationally focused subsidiaries. Michael L. Barnes has served as President and CEO since 2003, overseeing the firm's global growth. The company's strategy combines three interconnected product lines: structural engineering software (Mitek Sapphire), automated manufacturing equipment (robotic saws, assembly tables), and hardware components (connector plates, hangers, anchors). MiTek targets residential and commercial construction markets, with distribution through independent fabricators and truss manufacturers. The firm has pursued acquisitions to expand its technology suite, including the 2016 purchase of StrucSoft Solutions (per Engineering360, 2016) and the 2023 acquisition of Boise Cascade's downstream software division (per Building Design+Construction, 2023). MiTek operates manufacturing and engineering facilities across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia-Pacific — serving more than 15,000 customers in over 40 countries. The firm employs approximately 4,200 people globally. In 2022, the company completed a major expansion of its Chesterfield headquarters, adding 50,000 square feet of office and lab space (per St. Louis Business Journal, 2022). MiTek remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway without public AUM or capital structure disclosure — the firm's financials are consolidated into Berkshire's industrial segment reporting. A key structural differentiator is MiTek's integration within Berkshire Hathaway's decentralized model — the subsidiary operates independently without leveraging Berkshire's balance sheet for external investments. Unlike a family office or asset manager, MiTek functions as an operating company that reinvests its earnings into product development and strategic acquisitions. This ownership structure provides long-term capital stability while requiring MiTek to compete on operational efficiency and market share, not financial engineering.