On Monday, 1 September, two and a half weeks before his 94th birthday, Thomas J. Bata passed away in Toronto (Canada). Thomas Bata was one of the founders of the world-famous Bata brand of shoes. He built the company started by his father into a worldwide business concern. In 2008, Bata Shoe Organization has more than 40,000 employees on the payroll, in over 50 countries. The 170 employees at the Dutch branch of Bata Industrials in Best bid a sad farewell to their spiritual father. Thomas Bata visited them at least once a year.

General Director Harm Daems of Bata Industrials in Best calls it a tremendous loss for Bata. “Thomas Bata was not only there at the birth of the organisation’s worldwide growth, but was also the driving force behind our unique corporate culture. In line with his father’s philosophy, he helped make Bata a worldwide business concern with a high degree of social involvement. This applied to the employees as well as the environment in which Bata operates. The Bata villages built worldwide, one of is which ‘Bata-dorp’ in Best, are a perfect embodiment of this philosophy. He was an inspirational leader who challenged us to make the best shoes in the world. ‘Our customer – Our master’ was his motto. We have always strived to live up to this at Bata Industrials, and will continue to do so in the future. Thomas Bata expressed the appreciation and interest he had for our organisation in the Netherlands during his annual visits to Best. We will miss him very much.”

The history of Bata in the Netherlands dates back to 1922 when Thomas Bata’s father opened the first store in Amsterdam. It was a great success. Many new stores followed soon. By 1933, there were already 28 stores in the Netherlands, and Bata started building the factory in Best. Not long afterwards, construction started on the Bata-dorp (‘Bata Village’) for the factory’s employees. A unique community of people was born, who lived and worked in conditions which were extremely modern for that time. By 1961, Bata had 150 stores in the Netherlands in which ‘Everything for feet’ was the central theme. In addition to shoes, the Bata stores also sold stockings. Repairs and even pedicures were offered regularly as an extra service. In addition to Best, Bata also had production locations in Nederweert and Kerkrade in the southern part of the Netherlands at that time. Various market developments and the changing world economy caused Bata to change the direction it took in the Netherlands over the years. Since the 1970s, the Best facility focused more and more on developing a specialisation; the production of professional and safety shoes. Under the name ‘Bata Industrials’, the step was taken from consumer as customer to industry as customer. At present, Bata Industrials in Best is not only the headquarters for the Bata Industrials offices within the Bata Shoe Organization, but is also a hypermodern production facility which does business worldwide, and has taken the position as market leader in the Benelux.

Over the years, Thomas J. Bata has always been a major influence on the Dutch Bata organisation. Thanks in part to his leadership, vision and involvement, the facility in Best has operated as a valuable part of the Bata Shoe Organization for over 85 years. He will always be remembered by the employees and management with warmth and respect.