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Summary for: Baťa to close only Central European factory, affecting 92 jobsFootwear company Baťa will close its only manufacturing plant in Central Europe next year, ending more than five decades of shoe production in Dolní Němčí.
The phased closure will affect 92 employees, the company announced Monday. Baťa attributed the decision to the plant’s lack of profitability under current market conditions.
The company will retain its Czech retail network, meaning the closure does not mark the brand’s departure from the country.
“Closing production at our plant in Dolní Němčí was a very difficult decision for us,” Baťa board member Andrea Montagnoli said. “Unfortunately, this is a type of operation that cannot be maintained profitably under current market conditions.”
Factory produced 150,000 pairs last year
Shoes have been manufactured at the Dolní Němčí site in the Uherské Hradiště district since 1970. The plant became part of Baťa in 1992.
It produced approximately 150,000 pairs of shoes for Baťa stores and other customers in 2025.
According to the company, the factory was designed for large-scale production and its structure and capacity no longer correspond to current market demand.
Keeping the operation profitable would require a shift toward a different form of production. Baťa said the investment needed for such a transformation could not be justified by current order volumes, purchasing prices or their expected development.
Closure to proceed in phases
Baťa plans to wind down production gradually during 2027 rather than close the plant immediately.
The company said it was communicating with Dolní Němčí officials and the Czech Labor Office while negotiating departure conditions with union representatives.
A support program is being prepared to help affected employees find new jobs, according to the company.
Founded by Tomáš Baťa and his siblings in Zlín in 1894, the footwear company now operates in approximately 50 countries and has around 6,000 stores worldwide.
