Page 43 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2024/5 - ebook

SHOES FOR THE WORLD needs. Among them, Tomy Takkies stands as a
testament to locally produced excellence – crafted
to offer both quality and a unique story that’s woven
Founded as a small family business in Czechoslovakia into South Africa’s cultural fabric.
130 years ago, Bata has expanded into a large-scale
global shoe manufacturer. Today, it operates in 70+ In broadening its success beyond school shoes
countries with 35,000+ employees, selling 20+ brands and industrial safety footwear, Bata has introduced
and labels at 5,300 retail outlets, and producing new collections of select international sneakers,
locally in 21 Bata-owned manufacturing facilities comfort and outdoor categories to the local market
across five continents. as a crucial step in its five-year growth plan. These
include top-selling, global children’s footwear
Bata South Africa, one of the top performing Bata range Bubblegummers, sneaker brands Power
companies globally, has an enduring legacy that and North Star, and the technology-focused Bata
has stood the test of time, having operated in the Comfit line.
country for over 70 years. Its story is one of resilience,
adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to Bata SA currently produces over five million shoes a
providing quality footwear to South Africans. year at its manufacturing facility in Loskop, Estcourt
in KwaZulu-Natal, where around 500 people are
Strong partnerships with key retailers allow Bata SA employed, most of them women from the local
to consistently deliver the very best to its customers, community.
combining style and substance to make an impact
that reaches far beyond its borders. Bata isn’t just a Country Manager, Lorraine Dyer, with over 20 years
brand; it’s a part of everyday life. Wherever you are, of experience in launching and growing brands in
Bata makes it easy to step into comfort and style, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, says, “Bata
with shoes available through major retailers like remains driven by the same values that have defined
Ackermans, PEP, Jet, Edgars, Mr Price, Miladys and it for decades: a dedication to excellence and a
Shoe City, as well as online platforms like Superbalist mission to enrich lives through its products and
and Takealot. enduring presence across Africa. As part of a global
company, we have valuable insights into global
The Bata journey has been premised on innovation trends and best practices that we can bring to South
and staying relevant, especially within the sneaker Africa and the continent. Our local retail partners can
landscape, where it has introduced diverse look forward to more innovation, even better quality
collections that resonate with today’s trends and and a real focus on sustainability going forward.”

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