Bata footwear company drives growth of Zlin, Czech Republic

The footwear company Bata evolved from a small family workshop into a global industrial empire, driving the massive growth of the city of Zlin in the Moravia region of the Czech Republic. Founded in 1894 by siblings Tomas, Antonin, and Anna Bata, the business initially faced significant financial hardship, including heavy debt by 1895.

The company’s fortunes changed with the introduction of ‘baťovky’, lightweight fabric boots designed for the mass market. Under the leadership of Tomas Bata, the business expanded alongside the city; Zlin’s population grew from 4,678 in 1921 to approximately 75,000 in the modern era.