Page 25 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Lorraine Dyer

Managing Director for Bata South Africa and I fell into retail and loved it. My journey took a shares proudly. “In our factory, the Toughees production
different turn then, but it was all for the good.” line employs 92 percent women. That really has a great
impact on the greater community.”
orraine Dyer is the managing director for Bata That journey took her across continents and industries.
L South Africa, part of a multinational company “I was asked to bring the Cotton On brand to South The company’s presence in the Drakensberg region has
that has become synonymous with quality Africa from Australia, and we launched the first 50 stores been transformative. “When you drive through the Loskop
footwear and community commitment. here,” she recalls. “I did Converse and Nike for six years as community, people live in brick houses, not shacks. That
general manager. After that, I had the opportunity to go really shows the impact that the Bata factory, which is the
Bata operates in almost 70 countries now and has about
into fragrances and beauty with Chanel. And then Bata only factory in the area, has had over the years. When you
5,800 stores globally. In South Africa, its operations are
came knocking.” As Lorraine puts it, “Each one of these uplift women, the family is uplifted, children prosper, and
both large and deeply rooted. Lorraine explains, “We
experiences has taught me something different. What that’s really important to us.”
have a factory in Loskop, Drakensberg that employs
I loved about Chanel was that it taught me what true
about 420 people. Then we have a distribution centre Through the Bata Children’s Programme, the company
customer service is all about,” she reflects. “And now,
where we employ 60 people, and in our head office in supports education and upliftment initiatives for
at Bata, I’m able to combine that with the purpose of
La Lucia, we have around 82 people. It’s a strong team underprivileged children. “Each sale of Tomy Takkies
serving our communities.”
of employees.” also contributes a percentage to women’s enrichment
Her impact at Bata has been both measurable and programmes,” Lorraine explains. “There’s a lot of giving
Bata South Africa produces approximately 6.5 million
pairs of shoes each year. meaningful. “If you look at the numbers only, we’ve seen back, and that’s something I’ve always dreamed of
strong double-digit growth, which is significant for Bata being part of.”
Her tone reflects genuine pride as she discusses the globally and for the Africa region,” Lorraine says. “But I’m
Lorraine commented, “The advice I’d give younger
company’s impact. “It’s been going really well,” she most proud of the culture that we’ve managed to change
women is to believe that you can achieve your dreams.
says with a smile. Beyond the numbers, what drives within the business, making sure that people are happy,
It is still a male-dominated world, but you can make an
Lorraine is the human side of the business. “What that they love the brands and love their jobs. I believe
impact. Be prepared and understand that you are unique,
really persuaded me to join the group was the work that people are most productive when they are in a
and that is an asset in any situation, especially in business.
that they do for communities, that you’re actually happy space. We’ve made sure we have the right people
Don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard.”
servicing a large part of the population, putting in the right seats and that they’re motivated,” she notes.
school shoes on the feet of children. That’s really That approach has helped Bata gain an impressive share BALANCING LIFE AND LOOKING AHEAD
phenomenal.” in the school shoe category, a testament to both product
quality and consumer trust. Despite her role, Lorraine maintains a consistent sense of
Bata has been operating in South Africa for over 70 years, balance. “I have a lot of support,” she says. “My mother
yet many South Africans don’t realise it’s a multinational. Lorraine acknowledges that running a large manu- is my rock. She helps take care of my son, and I make
The Toughees brand is well known throughout the facturing and retail business in today’s economy is not sure that when I get home, work is at work. I focus on
country. However, the company has other brands such without challenges. “Economic stability, import and spending quality time with him.”
as Bata Comfit, known for its ladies’ and men’s comfort export difficulties, and port delays all affect operations,”
For Lorraine, personal well-being is essential. “I find balance
shoes, Bubblegummers for children, Bata Industrials she says. “Consumers have less to spend, but what we
by making sure that I’m healthy and fit. I go to the gym, I
safety footwear, as well as sneaker brands like Tomy love about South Africans is that they value quality. They
play golf, and I’m a keen equestrian. I have a horse that
Takkies and Power. will choose the better product, which is something for
we’re training for dressage, so I have a lot of activities that
which we are known.”
A JOURNEY OF IMPACT keep my mind healthy and help me de-stress from work.”
BUILDING COMMUNITIES
Lorraine’s career has been defined by a blend of Looking ahead, she is excited about Bata’s future. “We
technical expertise and business intuition. “I actually Beyond business results, Lorraine’s passion lies in the want to continue with the momentum that the business
started off as an industrial engineer with Woolworths, people Bata employs. “We employ over 60 percent is on, to serve our communities and uplift women within
very technical,” she says. “I then moved to New Zealand women within our business, which is really inspiring,” she our business.”

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