Sebire was the name of the next generation, that
being the married name of Charles Berisford’s
daughter Lillie. Her son John spent a lifetime with
the company and her other son Charles would one day
become chairman. Then there was Harold Rippon, a
nephew of Harry Berisford’s wife, who joined the
firm in 1909, eventually becoming joint managing
director. As with so many, Berisfords survived its
fair share of upheavals during the Second World
War.
John Sebire saw active service in the Far East and was awarded the Burma Star. His thoughts were never far from the business, though, and while visiting a market in Calcutta he found a ribbon stall. He sent samples home which later led to the creation of an attractive range of ribbons.
And so the company moved on. The 1950s saw the introduction of woven label manufacturing and the quest to keep up to date with the latest trends and techniques led to fact-finding trips around the world. The Sebire connection continued with John’s eldest son Stephen joining the firm. After working in a textile factory in Germany and receiving private lessons in weaving, not to mention being called up for National Service, Stephen was appointed production director and was eventually to become managing director.
Berisfords became a public company in 1961 and continued to look further afield for new business opportunities. By now the firm was able to dye and finish it products - a task previously undertaken by specialist companies - and the need for diversification led to the introduction of the trimmings process to the firm. The 1960s and ’70s saw Berisfords take on the world, boldly venturing into new markets in Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and Europe.
By the mid-70s export sales amounted to £1.5 million and the company was employing 800 people in Congleton and elsewhere, including Wales and Ireland. The Berisford Group eventually became part of the Ferguson Group. But the trimming and ribbon manufacturing sides were offered to management, with Stephen and Julian Sebire taking on the ribbon side of the business. By 1992 Berisfords Ribbons merged with the Kuny Group, from Switzerland, specialists in velvet ribbons - and so began the latest chapter in the firm.
John Sebire saw active service in the Far East and was awarded the Burma Star. His thoughts were never far from the business, though, and while visiting a market in Calcutta he found a ribbon stall. He sent samples home which later led to the creation of an attractive range of ribbons.
And so the company moved on. The 1950s saw the introduction of woven label manufacturing and the quest to keep up to date with the latest trends and techniques led to fact-finding trips around the world. The Sebire connection continued with John’s eldest son Stephen joining the firm. After working in a textile factory in Germany and receiving private lessons in weaving, not to mention being called up for National Service, Stephen was appointed production director and was eventually to become managing director.
Berisfords became a public company in 1961 and continued to look further afield for new business opportunities. By now the firm was able to dye and finish it products - a task previously undertaken by specialist companies - and the need for diversification led to the introduction of the trimmings process to the firm. The 1960s and ’70s saw Berisfords take on the world, boldly venturing into new markets in Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and Europe.
By the mid-70s export sales amounted to £1.5 million and the company was employing 800 people in Congleton and elsewhere, including Wales and Ireland. The Berisford Group eventually became part of the Ferguson Group. But the trimming and ribbon manufacturing sides were offered to management, with Stephen and Julian Sebire taking on the ribbon side of the business. By 1992 Berisfords Ribbons merged with the Kuny Group, from Switzerland, specialists in velvet ribbons - and so began the latest chapter in the firm.
