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1948
And now to the specific development at Newtownards, in Northern Ireland. In the late forties Ferdie Thun began his study of the British market. It was desirable to have a partner with knowledge of the ladies retail market. An arrangement was made with the Donaldson brothers of Alloa, in Scotland, who manufactured and sold their ladies knitwear direct to retail stores under the brand name of DONBROS.

1960  
With the improved and expanded production facilities the spotlight fell on sales and marketing. The Company felt that the time had come to make direct Berkshire brand sales to its UK retail customers. The arrangement with Donbros was terminated and the Company became wholly owned by the Reading Company.
                                                    

A sales force of twenty five men with two Area Managers was formed and a distribution centre established at Newtownards. Reliable deliveries across the Irish Sea had to match the competitors quick service from English and Scottish centres.
It was a mammoth task undertaken successfully by a young and confident management team. The distinctive packaging and the direct sales service gave the Company a real fillip and by 1963 employment had reached one thousand.
The parent company was also expanding its overseas activities and added International to its name.
The N.I. Company followed and became Berkshire International (UK) Ltd.