Czech footwear company Vasky has acquired legendary brand Botas, known for its shoes produced since 1963 in Skuteč, in the Chrudim region. Botas has been in liquidation since this year, with rising energy and materials costs, a loss of exports due to the war in Ukraine and a lack of qualified labour cited as reasons. Vasky had previously sold discounted pairs of Botas shoes to raise money to buy the brand. Negotiations on the purchase agreement with Botas took several weeks, and a new collection of shoes was created through the collaboration of both brands. Shoemakers and sewists will make the shoes in Zlín.

Botas achieved a post-tax profit of CZK 7.676m ($349,000) in 2021, with revenue from the sale of products and services increasing by 55% YoY to CZK 39.33m in 2021. However, the sale of unnecessary real estate significantly influenced last year’s results. Botas, which was originally called Botana, was established in 1949 by the merger of smaller nationalised companies from Skuteč and its surroundings. The Botas brand combines the words “bota” and “Skuteč”.

Vasky, based in Zlín, has been making shoes for ten years, specialising in comfortable sneakers made from environmentally friendly materials. The acquisition of Botas expands Vasky’s portfolio of brands and represents an opportunity to revive a Czech footwear legend. Customers can expect both original and redesigned models of Botas shoes, with production starting in the coming months. Václav Staněk, the founder of Vasky, said it is time to show that Botas shoes still have something to offer.

Article by Prague Forum