Bata is a shoe manufacturer and retailer that began in Zlín, Moravia, a region that is now part of the Czech Republic. The company was founded in 1894 by Tomáš Baťa together with his brother Antonín and his sister Anna, from a family that had been shoemakers for generations. Its head office is now in Lausanne, Switzerland. Bata is known for simple, light, and affordable shoes, and for mass production that was among the earliest in Europe. In 2004 Guinness World Records listed it as the largest shoe seller and producer of all time, with more than 14 billion pairs sold. For secondhand buyers, Bata means practical everyday shoes, with a very wide range of models and materials.
Read more
The business started in 1894 in Zlín with ten permanent employees. In the summer of 1895 Tomáš ran into financial difficulty and tried sewing shoes from canvas instead of leather. The shoes sold very well and the number of employees rose to 50. In 1904 he took three workers to Lynn, a city near Boston that was then the center of the world's shoe industry, to learn American-style mass production. When he returned six months later, he introduced machine-based production. His first mass-produced product, the Baťovky, was a leather and textile shoe for workers, known for its simple shape, light weight, and low price.
Military orders during World War I made the number of employees grow tenfold between 1914 and 1918. When the Czechoslovak economy slumped after the war, Tomáš cut shoe prices by half. Demand jumped as many competitors closed. He also set prices ending in the number nine, which later became known as Baťa prices. By 1923 the company had 112 branches. Tomáš died in a plane crash in 1932. Leadership passed to Jan Antonín Baťa and Tomáš's son, Thomas John Baťa. Factories were then set up in England, the Netherlands, Brazil, India, Canada, and other countries. In 1938 the company employed more than 65,000 people.
After World War II, Bata's factories in Eastern Europe were seized and nationalized. In 1945 the central service office was moved to England. From there Thomas J. Bata rebuilt the business through autonomous units in Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and Latin America. In Indonesia, sales are run by PT Sepatu Bata, with the first factory recorded as established in 1939 (some sources say 1931).
- Baťovky: leather and textile shoes for workers that became Bata's first mass-produced product, known for being simple, light, and cheap.
- Bata Industrials: Bata's business unit for safety shoes.
- Bubblegummers: one of the brands in Bata's portfolio; our sources do not give details on its models.
- North Star: one of the brands in Bata's portfolio; our sources do not give details on its models.
- Power: one of the brands in Bata's portfolio; our sources do not give details on its models.
What we check before listing
We check the condition of the sole first: tread thickness, cracks, and whether the sole is starting to come away from the upper. Rubber or PU soles that have been stored for a long time can harden or turn brittle, so we flex the front of the shoe to test it. On leather models, we look at creases around the toe area, faded color, and peeling edges. We also check the stitching, glue, and insole, including any leftover damp smell. We match the labels and size stamps against the style of the shoe. Bata is made in many countries, so the country of manufacture can differ from pair to pair.
Caring for it
Leather shoes can simply be wiped with a damp cloth, then treated with leather cream or conditioner from time to time. Rubber and plastic shoes can be cleaned with mild soap and water, then left to air dry without placing them in direct hot sunlight. Store them in a dry place with good air circulation, and stuff the inside with paper to help keep their shape.
FAQ
Which country is Bata from?
Bata comes from Zlín, Moravia, in the region that is now the Czech Republic, and was founded in 1894. The company's head office is now in Lausanne, Switzerland, so Switzerland is often listed as its country of origin.
Is Bata made in Indonesia?
Bata's sales in Indonesia are run by PT Sepatu Bata. Its factory is recorded as established in 1939 (some sources say 1931) and is now in Kalibata and Medan. Globally, Bata also has production facilities in many countries, so check the label on each pair.
What materials are used in Bata shoes?
In Indonesia, its products include shoes, shoe-sandals, and sandals made from leather, rubber, and plastic. Because the materials vary, the way we check and care for them also differs between models.
Are secondhand Bata shoes still fit to wear?
It depends on the condition of each pair. We assess the sole, stitching, and upper material, then describe any flaws as they are. This is the result of our own observation, not a guarantee.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).