Celebrating 130 Years of Bata: Founder’s Day, a Global Day to Remember and to Give Back
We are thrilled to announce the upcoming celebration of our annual Founder's Day on 21 September 2024. This occasion holds immense significance for us as it marks the anniversary of our establishment in 1894 by the visionary Bata siblings - Tomáš, Anna, and Anthony. Their ambition, innovation, and commitment to philanthropy laid the foundation for Bata to become a global leader in the shoe industry.
Tomáš Baťa's innovative approach to industrialization led to the creation of factory towns in the late 1920s, designed to decentralize production from Zlín and penetrate foreign markets. These towns, integrated self-sufficiency with comprehensive infrastructure, including retail, canteens, and childcare facilities. By 1945, Bata had established sixteen such towns across the world, cementing his legacy in industrial urban planning.
In honour of this milestone and vision, we will be leveraging the Bata Children’s Program to organize a global employee volunteering activity. This initiative will allow us to give back to the community, reflecting the core values and long-standing tradition of social responsibility that Bata stands for.
Since its inception in 2010, the Bata Children's Program (BCP) has unified diverse community initiatives under one impactful umbrella. Over the past decade, BCP has expanded its reach to 23 countries, supporting over 400,000 children through programs focused on education, health, well-being, mentorship, and environmental sustainability. In 2023 alone, BCP volunteers dedicated over 50,000 hours to various causes.
Founder's Day is not just a day to talk about our remarkable journey; it's also an opportunity for us to come together with our employees, customers, and communities worldwide in the spirit of unity. It's a celebration of our shared values.
Sandeep Kataria, CEO of Bata Group, expressed his excitement for Founder's Day, stating, "Founder's Day is a special occasion for us to reflect on our journey, celebrate our values, and give back to the communities that have supported us throughout the years. The Bata Children’s Program is a testament to our commitment to driving positive change.“
We invite all our global stakeholders - employees, customers, and community members - to join us in the celebration of Founder's Day.
