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Witness History: Bata: Pioneering shoemakers

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bata shoes pic with blocks.jpg

20/05/2024 GMT

Bata: Pioneering shoemakers

BBC World Service - Witness History, Bata: Pioneering shoemakers

A Czech company called Bata pioneered assembly line shoemaking

How a Czech company called Bata pioneered assembly line shoemaking. Their factory near London was opened in 1933 and it became key to its expansion.

Bata was a Czech company which pioneered assembly line shoemaking and sold affordable footwear around the world. 

The factory near London was opened in 1933 and it became key to its expansion. 

In 2018, Dina Newman spoke to one of its senior engineers, Mick Pinion, about the company's remarkable history, including how it sold millions of shoes in Africa and Asia.

(Photo: mobile shoe shop selling Bata shoes. Credit: Getty Images)

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