New FOL Inc., a subsidiary of Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc., will acquire Bowling
Green, Ky.-based Fruit of the Loom Ltd.s basic apparel business operations for a purchase price of
$835 million.Weve agreed to buy Fruit of the Loom for two major reasons: the strength of the brand
and the managerial talent of John B. Holland, said Warren E. Buffett, chairman, Berkshire Hathaway.
Holland is COO of Fruit of the Loom.New FOL will assume post-petition liabilities and certain
specified pre-petition liabilities of the business.Fruit of the Loom is currently operating as a
debtor-in-possession pursuant to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing pending before the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Proceeds from the sale will be distributed to
creditors pursuant to Fruit of the Looms plan of reorganization.Berkshires acquisition will
complete the companys tremendous operational turnaround and pave the way for emergence from Chapter
11, said Holland.The companies expect to close the transaction in the first quarter of 2002.
December 2001
