Did you know BATA isn’t an Indian company? It was founded 131 years ago by…, its net worth now is…

Bata India, which many consider an Indian brand, is actually a Swiss company. It was founded in 1894 by Antonin Bata, his brother Tomasz Bata, and his sister Anna Batova.

Published date india.com Published: December 4, 2025 3:55 PM IST
Did you know BATA isn't an Indian company? It was founded 131 years ago by..., its net worth now is...
Did you know BATA isn't an Indian company? It was founded 131 years ago by..., its net worth now is...

Bata India is one of the most popular footwear brands in India. One must have worn this brand’s shoes or slippers at some point in life. You might think it’s an Indian brand. But that’s not true. Bata is not an Indian company. Bata India operates in India as Bata’s Indian subsidiary. It’s so popular that people often mistake it for Indian. Let’s find out which country Bata originated from and who started it.

How old is the history

Bata India is the Indian division of The Bata Corporation, which was founded 131 years ago in 1894 by Antonin Bata, his brother Tomasz Bata, and his sister Anna Batova. The company manufactures footwear, clothing, and other fashion accessories.

Company is from this country

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Today, Bata is a Swiss company with operations worldwide. Its former name was T. & A. Baťa Shoe Company. Today, Bata has more than 6,000 retail stores and 100,000 independent dealers and franchisees worldwide.

Trouble at the beginning

It’s not as if Bata was founded and started earning money. Just a few months after the company’s inception, in the summer of 1895, Thomas was facing financial difficulties. To overcome these difficulties, he decided to make canvas shoes instead of leather.

Following the success of these shoes, the company hired 50 people. Four years later, Bata developed its first steam-powered equipment, which marked the beginning of a period of rapid modernization. The company then continued to grow.

World’s largest shoe company

Bata, the world’s largest shoe manufacturer and marketer, also has an International Shoe Innovation Center in Padova, Italy, which serves its 83 companies and several non-Bata companies worldwide. It trains staff in everything from basic design to creative skills.

When did it enter India?

Bata entered India in 1931. Bata India was incorporated in 1931 as Bata Shoe Company Private Limited. It was later renamed Bata India in 1973. The Batanagar factory was the first Indian shoe manufacturing unit to receive ISO 9001 certification in 1993.

Bata owns several brands, including Power (athletic shoes), North Star (urban shoes), Bubblegummers (children’s shoes), Weinbrenner (outdoor shoes), and Marie Claire (women’s shoes). Other brands in its portfolio include Comfit (comfort footwear), Bata Industrials (work and safety), and Tuffy’s (school shoes).

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