Bata (Czech: Baa, pronounced [baca] or Baovy zvody) is a large, family-owned shoe company established in Zln, modern-day Czech

Republic and currently headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. Bata operates three business units worldwide Bata Metro Markets, Bata Emerging Markets and Bata Branded Business. It has a retail presence in over 70 countries and production facilities in 27 countries. In its history the company has sold more than 14 billion pairs of shoes.

HISTORY
The company was founded in 1894 in Zln (then in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, today in the Czech Republic) by Tom Baa (Czech pronunciation: [toma baca]), whose family had been cobblers for generations. A large order from the army for military footwear, and rising demand for them during World War I, started the company's rapid growth and a small manufacturing company grew into a modern industrial concern, one of the first mass producers of shoes. Tom Baa was recognised for his social consciousness: he established housing, cinemas and advancement programmes for his employees. The phrase "work collectively, live individually" is one of his sayings. Baa recognised the potential of large-scale production, and was often called the "Henry Ford of Eastern Europe". He saw technology as a means of progress, and wanted to make the shoes as cheaply as possible so that the greatest number of people could buy them. In 1932, at the age of 56, Tom died in a plane crash at Zln Airport (attempting to take off under bad weather conditions) and his half-brother Jan Antonn Baa became head of the company. At the time of Tom's death, the Baa company employed 16,560 people, maintained 1,645 shops and 25 enterprises. Most of what Tom had built was centralised in Bohemia and Moravia (15,770 employees, 1,500 shops, 25 enterprises) and Slovakia (250 employees and 2 enterprises). The total international contribution to the Baa organisation at the time of Tomas's death consisted of 20 international enterprises, 132 shops and 790 employees.
During World War II

Germany occupied the remaining part of pre-war Czechoslovakia on 15 March 1939. Jan Antonn Baa then spent a short time in jail, but was then able to leave the country with his family. He tried to save as much as possible[of the country or of the business?], submitting to the plans of Germany as well as financially supporting the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile led by Edvard Bene. Foreign factories were separated from the mother company, and ownership of plants in Bohemia and Moravia was transferred to another member of the family.

Present
After the global economic changes in 1990s, the company closed a number of its manufacturing factories in developed countries and has focussed its activities on expanding its retail business there. In developing countries it still has a large number of manufacturing units and still produces a significant number of shoes each year.: The company is currently headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, with 3 business units

Bata Metro Markets, Lausanne Bata Emerging Markets, Singapore Bata Branded Business, Best, Netherlands

Current shoe brands are:

Bata (Baa in former Czechoslovakia) Bata Premium (handcrafted dress shoes) Bata Industrials (safety footwear) Bubblegummers (children) Power (athletic shoes) Marie Claire (women) Hush Puppies (Premium) [Hush Puppies is owned by Wolverine Worldwide and not Bata] North Star (youth) Weinbrenner (Premium Outdoor Shoes) Scholl (Popular Comfort category)[Scholl belongs to Reckitt Benkiser & earlier SSL International plc. UK] Naturalizer (Premium women category)[Naturalizer belongs to Brown Shoe Co., US According to Bata, in 2007, the company served 1 million customers per day, employed over 40,000 people, operated 4,600 retail stores, managed a retail presence in over 50 countries and had 40 production facilities across 26 countries.

Opportunity

Bata India Limited has undertaken initiatives to improvethe company's cost structure and margins.The company has initiated a financial restructuringexercise to down its interest cost. Financial re-engineering. The company has tightened controls on costs in all areasof and is looking at global sourcing for raw materials andother inputs. Bata India is also exploring third-party manufacturingunits in Assam and Jammu & Kashmir as these enjoy taxholidays. Bata Shoe Organization (BSO) has decided to give abreather to its 51 per cent subsidiary

PRINCIPLES OF BATA
The Board of Directors of Bata India Limited have unanimously approved the following Code of Conduct at its meeting held on January 11, 2005 which will be applicable to all its Board Members and Senior Management. This Code is accordingly being posted on the Company's Website as required by Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement. Act in the best interests of, and fulfill their fiduciary obligations to the Companys shareholders. Act honestly, fairly, ethically and with integrity. Conduct themselves in a professional, courteous and respectful manner; Comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; Act in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence and diligence, without allowing their independent judgement to be subordinated ; Act in a manner to enhance and maintain the reputation of the Company; Disclose potential conflicts of interest that they may have regarding any matters that may come before the Board and abstain from discussion and voting on any matter in which the Director has or may have a conflict of interest; Respect the confidentiality of information relating to the affairs of the Company acquired in the course of their service as Directors or Senior Management except when authorised or legally required to disclose such information; and Not use confidential information acquired in the course of their service as Directors or Senior Management for their personal advantage.

MISSIONS
Support of culture, education and ability to develop values of society and the entrepreneurial spirit thanks to which the name Bata has become famous. Respecting the integrity of local cultures Considering communities as partners in progress and involving employees in a two-way communication with them. Allocating resources to enhance the well-being of the communities in which we operate.

Collaborating with people in the communities who are dedicated to raising standards of education and economic well being.

SHARE MARKET
BATA SHOE MARKET VALUE Bata India is trading 4.06% higher at BSE. Currently the shares are trading at Rs 215.25 compared with its previous close of Rs 206.85. A total of 5,69,508 shares have changed hands at BSE. (03:29 pm) Bata India, the country`s largest manufacturer and marketer of footwear products, is planning to open 200 stores in 3 years. It is learnt that the company is in talks with major players including hotels. The company managed by four regional meaningful business units (MBUs), plans to continue its focus on shoes The construction on `Bata Nagar` is believed would begin by year end2006. The stock has shown a rise of 5.41% over the week and 33.57% over last month.

ANNUAL REPPORT
Particulars Sales Less: Excise Duty Net Sales Other Income Total Expenditure Interest 2003 7,113,996 373,032 6,740,964 52,989 6,797,458 78,574 2002 6,941,860 444,604 6,497,256 106,045 6,501,329 83,169 18,803 130,788 (111,985) -(6,114) (31,768) (74,103) 514,221 1,402,465 2001 7,599,833 392,500 7,207,333 162,114 7,119,118 90,924 159,405 134,853 24,552 -1,879 (17,122) 39,795 514,221 1,476,568 2000 7,601,520 409,286 7,192,234 11,390 6,721,057 89,103 393,464 140,471 252,993 -97,000 -155,993 514,221 1,474,980 1999 7,736,446 420,773 7,315,673 9,825 6,640,467 68,366 616,665 135,799 480,866 -176,301 -304,565 514,220 1,403,986 1998 7,431,749 327,845 7,103,904 15,971 6,508,516 77,864 533,495 123,625 409,870 140,137 27,167 -242,566 514,217 1,193,517

Gross Profit / (Loss) (82,079) Depreciation Profit / (Loss) before Tax Excise Duty under KVSS Provision for Taxation Provision for Deferred Tax Net Profit / (Loss) Paid-up Equity Share Capital Reserves excluding Revaluation Reserves 131,203 (213,282) -(2,031) 49,250 (260,501) 514,221 1,141,964