Botas was a Czech footwear company based in Skuteč, focused on the production of sports shoes. It was founded in 1949 under the name Botana, initially focusing on men's walking shoes. From 1963, it produced shoes under the Botas brand. In 2000, the company's name was changed to match its shoe brand. In 2023, Botas was sold to the Zlín-based company Vasky, which continues to sell shoes under the original brand name.
| Company type | Joint-stock company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Footwear |
| Predecessor | Botana |
| Founded | 1949 in Skuteč, Czechoslovakia |
| Defunct | 2023 |
| Fate | Acquired by Vasky |
| Headquarters | Skuteč , Czechia |
Area served | International |
| Products | Shoes |
| Parent | Vasky |
| Website | Official website |
History
editFounded as Botana in 1949 by the merger of smaller nationalized enterprises in Skuteč and neighbouring towns that previously supplied the Bata Corporation,[1] the company initially specialized in men's walking shoes.[2] In 1963, it began producing sports shoes under the Botas brand, derived from the Czech word for shoe, bota, and the initial letter of the town of Skuteč.[2] By the late 1960s, over 50% of their output was in the sports sector, and by 1988, this had grown to 82.9%, with an export market that covered 35 countries.[3]
Between 1990 and 1996, the company manufactured shoes for other brands, including Puma, Jofa, Graf, Koho, CCM, Adidas, Bauer, Karhu, Jackson, and Riedell. In 1992, they signed a contract with Salomon to make skiing, snowboarding, and hiking footwear, a collaboration that continues to the present.[3]
In 2000, along with rebranding to the name Botas, the company shifted its focus to ice hockey, figure skating, and ski footwear, which made up 90% of their production capacity.[3]
2023 sale to Vasky
editIn January 2023, the company stopped production in Skuteč due to rising energy prices, increased manufacturing costs, and the impossibility of exporting to some countries caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A new location for its headquarters was not immediately selected, and the possibility of the company's sale was being considered.[4] In February, it was announced that Botas was in liquidation.[2]
In mid-March, the Zlín-based footwear company Vasky presented a proposal to purchase Botas and maintain production in Skuteč, or otherwise to move it to Zlín. The sale went through in April, with the bulk of production being shifted to Vasky factories and some workshops being kept in Skuteč. Botas footwear will continue to be sold under the original brand.[5][6][7]
References
edit- ^ ""Ботас": в городе и на спортплощадке" ["Botas": in the city and on the sports ground]. ruski.radio.cz (in Russian). 7 December 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ a b c "Botas ve Skutči definitivně končí. Vlastník rozhodl o likvidaci obuvnické firmy" [Botas is definitively ending in Skuteč. The owner decided to liquidate the shoe company]. ČT24 (in Czech). Czech Television. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ a b c "Výrobci a značky" [Manufacturers and brands]. energysport.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Legendární značka obuvi Botas zastavila výrobu ve Skutči, majitel zvažuje i prodej značky" [Legendary shoe brand Botas has stopped production in Skuteč, the owner is also considering selling the brand]. irozhlas.cz (in Czech). 4 January 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Záchrana legendárních Botasek? Výroba by se mohla přesunout do Zlína" [Saving the legendary Botas? Production could be moved to Zlín]. irozhlas.cz (in Czech). 19 March 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ "Vasky a Botas mají zůstat oddělené, ale výrobu spojíme pod jednu střechu, říká Václav Staněk" [Vasky and Botas are to remain separate, but we will combine production under one roof, says Václav Staněk]. e15.cz (in Czech). 6 April 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ "Obuvnickou firmu Botas odkoupil zlínský podnik Vasky. Legendární tenisky promění novým designem" [The shoe company Botas was bought by the Zlín enterprise Vasky. The legendary sneakers will be transformed with a new design]. irozhlas.cz (in Czech). 5 April 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.