BVD

   Messrs. Bradley, Voorhees, and Day of Chicago, Illinois, founded the men's and women's underwear company BVD in 1876. In 1908, BVD created the popular two-piece underwear model known as the union suit. In 1951, it introduced the concept of underwear sold in polybags and, in 1976, BVD was sold to Fruit of the Loom Ltd. It is a vertically integrated, international basic apparel company, emphasizing branded products for consumers ranging from infants to senior citizens. The company manufactures and markets men's and boys' underwear, women's and girls' underwear, printable active-wear, casualwear and sportswear, childrenswear, and family socks. Brand names include Fruit of the Loom, BVD, Best, and Screen Stars. Licensed brands include Munsingwear, Wilson, Botany 500, and John Henry. Licensed apparel bearing the logos or insignia of the major sports leagues, their teams, and certain popular players, as well as the logos of most major colleges and universities, are marketed under the Fan's Gear brands. In 1999, the company filed bankruptcy but, in 2001, was sold to Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a company owned by billionaire financier Warren Buffett.

   See also Brand image.