Bata was founded in 1894 by Tomáš Baťa, in an area today known as the Czech Republic. Growth of the company began with a large order from the army as World War I created a significant demand for military shoes. Rapid growth and small manufacture eventually turned the company into one of the first mass producers of shoes.
“As of 2007, the company served 1 million customers per day, employed over 40,000 people, operated 4,600 retail stores, managed a retail presence in over 50 countries and had 40 production facilities across 26 countries.” Bata is currently headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. For more information on Bata check them out at bata.com and if your in or around Toronto make sure and check out one if not “the largest and most comprehensive collection of shoes and footwear-related artifacts in the world” at the batashoemuseum.
