The T. & A. Bata Shoe Company was established in 1894 by siblings Tomas, Anna and Antonin in Zlín, Czechoslovakia. They were the eighth generation of the Bata family shoemakers. They expanded their company from a one-man workshop to a 10-person, and then 50-person, business.
In 1897 the company became one of Europe’s mass producers of shoes, with the help of the first steam-driven shoemaking machines. They opened the first Bata store in Zlín, Czechoslovakia in 1899. By 1912, Bata employed 600 full-time workers.
Franchise System
With over 4,900 stores worldwide, Bata has proven experience as a retailer and franchisor. Bata assist franchisees with analysing locations, markets and competitors and share their knowledge of the shoe retail business.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Since its establishment in 1984, Bata has believed in contributing to communities they are located in. In 2010 the Bata Children’s Programme was launched to bring all their initiatives for disadvantaged children together. So far the programme has carried out more than 100 initiatives in 22 countries, helping 25,000 children in need. The Bata Children’s Programme includes education, children’s health and safety, living in a sustainable world and mentoring.
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