Boost to Bata to be commissioned by Prime Minister John Key

Boost to Bata to be commissioned by Prime Minister John Key

Iconic footwear brand Bata has just made a major investment by buying a million dollars worth of the latest manufacturing technology for its only New Zealand factory, based in Wellington.

The new injection moulding machine will make quality gumboots. Prime Minister John Key will commission the new machine tomorrow afternoon (Thursday 19th) at a special ceremony at the Wellington Bata factory.

Bata operations manager Tony Harmer says the major investment shows a long term commitment by Bata New Zealand’s parent company, Bata Brands, (based in Switzerland) to continue manufacturing in New Zealand.

“This investment has given the company a massive boost. It gives us the opportunity to offer our customers a truly world class product that is made right here in New Zealand,” Mr Harmer says.

The New Zealand Bata factory will manufacture more than 150,000 specially designed gumboots a year for the industrial and rural markets both here and in Australia.

Mr Harmer says the materials used are specifically designed for New Zealand conditions, giving a first class quality product that is extremely comfortable.

“The new technology means we will be able to respond to the needs of the market quickly, and provide our customers with new innovative products. The gumboots we produce are specifically designed for the New Zealand foot which is bigger and wider than in other countries. We will also make a size 15; no-one else in the Bata organisation makes gumboots that big!” Mr Harmer says.

The launch of the new million dollar machinery will take place at Bata NZ, Owhiro Bay, Wellington, at 4 p.m. on July 19.

Brief History of Bata New Zealand

Back in 1894 Tomas, Anna & Antonin Bata registered the T & A Bata Shoe Company in Zlin, Czechoslovakia employing 10 cobblers.

Today Bata employs over 30,000 people with 5,000 international retail stores and a presence in over 70 countries, serving approximately 1 million customers per day.

Bata New Zealand was formed in 1948 with the first factory opening at Owhiro Bay, Welling-ton in 1951 producing slippers.

The company was flourishing in the 50s and 60s with a second factory opening in Wainuio-mata and the introduction of injection molded footwear.

The now iconic “Bata Bullets” were being produced & extensively promoted by 1969 and the 10 millionth pair of shoes produced by Bata New Zealand was made in April 1974.

By the end of the 1970s Bata New Zealand had Warehouses in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson & Christchurch, with additional factories & workshops in Wainuiomata, Carterton, Masterton, Wanganui & Nelson.

During the 1980s there was a world wide trend to relocate factories into Asian countries and by 1987 leather production in New Zealand was deemed unprofitable and as such 15 shoe manufacturers went out of business & all others including Bata were forced to reduce the size of their operations.

1992 saw the closure of the Wainuiomata factory and all production (PVC gumboots) returned to Owhiro Bay.

Today we produce approximately 200,000 pair of PVC gumboots per year and import Bata brands such as Marie Claire, Weinbrenner, Bubblegummer & our ever increasing Bata Indus-trials Range. We are also the New Zealand agents for Rieker, Via Nova & Ferracini.

ENDS

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