Founder’s Day: Moving Forward Together
Founder’s Day: Moving Forward Together
At Bata, we believe in the power of unity, thousands of employees around the world, connected by a simple purpose: to make life better, together. Every year on 21 September, we celebrate Founder’s Day, a moment to honour our roots, the values that have shaped us, and the spirit that keeps us moving forward.
Honouring Our Heritage
Founded by Tomas Bata in 1894 in Zlín, Czechoslovakia, Bata has always been more than a shoe company. Tomas Bata was an original thinker who transformed the industry by making quality footwear more accessible, pioneering new production methods, and creating better conditions for his workers.
His vision went far beyond shoes. In the late 1920s, he designed factory towns that gave workers not just jobs, but communities, with homes, schools, shops, childcare, and places to connect. By the mid-20th century, Bata’s network of towns and factories spanned Europe, India, Africa, and South America, a legacy of innovation and care for people that still inspires us today.
A Day to Celebrate Our People
Founder’s Day is our chance to remember this journey, and celebrate the people who carry that vision forward. Today, Bata is made up of more than 32,000 people in over 56 countries, all working towards the same goal: creating quality products while giving back to the communities we’re part of.
Through the Bata Children’s Program, we support children and families through education, health, mentorship, and sustainability projects in 23 countries. For three years, we’ve proudly partnered with SOS Children’s Villages, helping vulnerable children build safer, stronger futures. This commitment to care and community runs through everything we do, and Founder’s Day reminds us to put it into action.
Together, We Make a Difference
Founder’s Day is not only about looking back, it’s about looking ahead. It’s about celebrating the diversity and unity of our people and our promise to keep doing good, together.
This year, on 21 September, Bata Bangladesh brought that spirit to life under the global Founder’s Day theme, “Forward Together.” Through the Bata Children’s Program (BCP), Bata employees came together as volunteers to create a special Fun Day for children at the Bata corporate premises in Tongi, turning Founder’s Day into a celebration of happiness, togetherness and meaningful connections.
At the heart of the celebration, however, were our people. Employees from across Bata Bangladesh volunteered throughout the event, with the Managing Director and members of the leadership team also joining the day’s activities. From engaging with the children and supporting different activities to simply sharing moments of laughter and joy, Bata colleagues turned their time and care into action, demonstrating what Founder’s Day truly represents.
The spirit behind the day goes back to the vision of Tomáš Baťa, who believed that a company’s responsibility extended beyond business to the people and communities around it. That belief continues to inspire Bata today. Through BCP, our people had another opportunity not only to contribute, but to personally become part of the positive difference we strive to make.
Founder’s Day 2026 was therefore about much more than looking back at where our journey began. It was about carrying that legacy forward, together as colleagues, together with our communities and together for the next generation.
Because when Bata people come together with one shared purpose, every small act can make a meaningful difference.
One Bata. One shared purpose. Forward Together.
#BataFoundersDay #ForwardTogether #BataBCP #WeAreBata
