OMAHA - Even billionaire Warren Buffett's companies can't escape the recession.

He runs Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway, which owns Borsheim's jewelry. And its spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday that it has laid off 13 employees.

Borsheim's spokeswoman Adrienne Fay says sales have been falling since November, forcing the layoffs. She says the company now has 267 workers.

Borsheim's President Susan Jacques called the layoffs devastating.

In last month's report on its first quarter, Berkshire acknowledged that many of its businesses - its jewelry stores, Shaw carpet, Acme Brick and Clayton Homes - have been hurt by the recession and corresponding slowdown in consumer spending.