Zafco
Zafco is a privately-held Dubai-based distributor of automotive tyres, batteries, and lubricants, representing 15+ global brands including Pirelli, Michelin, and Toyo across 140+ countries through regional websites, dealer networks, and the Zdegree e-commerce platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Zafco does
Zafco (legal entity ZAFCO Group Holdings Ltd) is a privately-held importer, exporter, and distributor of automotive aftermarket products, headquartered in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1993, the company operates across three core product categories — tyres (passenger car radial and truck/bus radial), vehicle batteries, and automotive lubricants — serving individual vehicle owners, fleet operators and commercial transport businesses, and regional dealers and distributors. Zafco functions as a multi-brand distribution platform, representing 15+ globally recognized brands including premium manufacturers Pirelli and Michelin alongside value and mid-tier brands such as Toyo, Nitto, Hankook, Kumho, Roadstone, Doublecoin, Armstrong, Otani, Zeetex, Accelera, Forceum, and the in-house Gazelle Gold battery brand. Distribution reach spans 140+ countries through seven regionally segmented websites (North America, South America, Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Oceania) and a network of regional dealer-partners.
The company's go-to-market is predominantly channel-driven: Zafco acts as a manufacturer representative and distributor, selling through regional dealer networks (named partners include Rally Tyres Trading in Qatar since 2014, Hamdan Trading Group in Oman, Shark Autos Ltd in Bangladesh, Start IV Group in Azerbaijan, and Toyota Tanzania for Otani tyres), supplemented by direct enterprise sales for bulk orders. It has also begun building direct-to-consumer reach via the Zdegree e-commerce platform (myzdegree.com) and has internalized logistics through the Zafcologistics.com subsidiary, with a stated "digitalized ecosystem" supporting supply chain and distribution operations.
The revenue model is hardware sales across all three product lines, with pricing not publicly disclosed and no disclosed revenue, ARR, or unit volume figures in available sources. Headcount is stated at 400+ professionals on the company website (the firmographic range of 101–250 conflicts with this and is unresolved in the input). No public ownership, funding rounds, or institutional investor data are disclosed; the company is privately held with no parent company identified. No M&A, regulatory actions, leadership changes, or AI/ML capabilities are documented in the source material.
Zafco firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zafco
- Legal name
- ZAFCO Group Holdings Ltd
- Website
- https://zafco.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Zafco is a privately-held Dubai-based distributor of automotive tyres, batteries, and lubricants, representing 15+ global brands including Pirelli, Michelin, and Toyo across 140+ countries through regional websites, dealer networks, and the Zdegree e-commerce platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zafco industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Tyre and Parts Distribution
- NAICS
- Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) (326211), Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers (4413)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tires, wheels & related supplies distribution (CRAOANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL)
Keywords
Where Zafco is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zafco business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Tyre Distribution and Sales: Distribution of passenger car radial tyres, truck and bus radial tyres from multiple global brands including Pirelli, Michelin, Toyo, Hankook, and others
- Battery Distribution and Sales: Distribution of automotive batteries including Gazelle Gold brand
- Lubricant Distribution and Sales: Distribution of automotive lubricants for improved fuel efficiency and smoother rides
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Zafco product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zafco manufactures and distributes automotive tyres, batteries, and lubricants under a multi-brand portfolio that includes globally recognised names such as Pirelli, Michelin, Toyo, Nitto, Hankook, Kumho, Roadstone, Doublecoin, Armstrong, Otani, Zeetex, Accelera, Forceum, and Gazelle Gold. Its tyre range covers passenger car radial (PCR) and truck and bus radial (TBR) applications, complemented by automotive batteries and lubricants, with distribution executed across 140+ countries via regional websites, a partner dealer network, and the Zdegree e-commerce platform.
Product overview
Zafco is a leading manufacturer and distributor of tyres, batteries, and lubricants operating across 140+ countries. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio strategy, representing globally renowned brands including Pirelli, Michelin, Toyo Tires, Nitto, Hankook, Kumho, Roadstone, Doublecoin, Armstrong, Otani, Zeetex, Accelera, and Forceum for tyres, along with its own Gazelle Gold battery sub-brand. Zafco's product range spans passenger car radial tyres, truck and bus radial tyres, vehicle batteries, and automotive lubricants. The company serves diverse markets through a digitalized ecosystem and logistics infrastructure, positioning itself as a one-stop solution for automotive components with a focus on quality, innovation, and reliable supply.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Zdegree: E-commerce platform for purchasing tyres, batteries, and lubricants
- Zeetex
- Otani
- Armstrong
- Gazelle Gold
- Accelera
- Forceum
Products and services
- Tyres (Passenger Car Radial and Truck/Bus Radial) Multi-brand automotive tyre portfolio covering passenger car radial (PCR) and truck and bus radial (TBR) categories, distributed across 140+ countries for fleet operators, dealers, distributors, and individual vehicle owners. The range is positioned for optimum safety, durability, and performance across diverse road conditions.
- Automotive Batteries (Gazelle Gold) Vehicle battery line, led by the Gazelle Gold brand, delivering consistent performance and long-lasting durability for worry-free journeys; supplied to dealers, distributors, and end users across the regions served.
- Automotive Lubricants Automotive lubricant range designed to improve fuel efficiency and provide smoother rides, distributed to dealers and end customers across Zafco's regional markets.
- Zdegree E-commerce Platform Wholly-owned direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for purchasing Zafco's tyres, batteries, and lubricants, available globally at myzdegree.com.
- Zafcologistics Logistics and Delivery Services Wholly-owned logistics and delivery services subsidiary that supports supply chain movement and order fulfilment for Zafco's automotive product distribution across 140+ countries.
Companies that use Zafco
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Zafco technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Zafco partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- PirellicoreBrand representation partnership for premium tyres; Pirelli is one of the globally renowned brands represented by Zafco for distribution
- MichelincoreBrand representation partnership for Michelin tyres; one of the premium brands distributed by Zafco
- Toyo TirescoreDistribution partnership for Toyo tyres known for durability and reliability across various road conditions
- HankookcoreBrand representation partnership for Hankook tyres; one of the major brands in Zafco's portfolio
- ZeetexcoreExclusive distribution partnership for Zeetex tyres; actively building brand presence in Middle East and Asian markets
- OtanicoreDistribution partnership for Otani tyres, particularly strong in Middle East markets; recognized for high mileage and maximum grip
- Double CoincoreDistribution partnership for Double Coin truck and bus tyres; trusted by fleet operators in UAE for commercial transport
- ArmstrongcoreDistribution partnership for Armstrong TBR and PCR tyres; noted for quality, performance, affordability, and durability
- NittomajorBrand representation partnership for Nitto tyres in the distribution network
- KumhomajorBrand representation partnership for Kumho tyres
- RoadstonemajorBrand representation partnership for Roadstone tyres
- AcceleramajorBrand representation partnership for Accelera tyres
- ForceummajorBrand representation partnership for Forceum tyres
- Gazelle GoldcoreBattery brand partnership; Gazelle Gold batteries distributed by Zafco for consistent performance and long-lasting durability
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Zafco competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Al Dobowi Group: Dubai-based multi-brand tire, battery, and automotive parts distributor serving MENA and global markets. Highly comparable business model to Zafco with similar product categories (tires, batteries), shared geographic focus on the Middle East and emerging markets, and comparable dealer-distribution model.
- Point S: International cooperative of independent tire dealers and distributors operating across multiple continents. Comparable multi-brand, multi-region tire distribution model to Zafco's dealer-distributor network, though Point S is a member-owned cooperative structure versus Zafco's centralized distribution model.
- Tire Rack: US-based leading direct-to-consumer tire retailer with strong digital platform and multi-brand portfolio. Comparable multi-brand distribution model with e-commerce focus akin to Zafco's Zdegree platform, though Tire Rack operates primarily in North America while Zafco operates across 140+ emerging and developed markets.
Broad incumbents
- Continental AG: Global tire manufacturer with extensive distribution operations across 140+ markets. Comparable as a multi-channel tire industry player with overlapping geographic footprint, though Continental also manufactures while Zafco primarily distributes and represents multiple brands.
- Pirelli & C. S.p.A. Premium global tire manufacturer that Zafco represents for distribution. Comparable as an industry participant across multiple regions, though Pirelli focuses on manufacturing and premium brand ownership while Zafco provides distribution reach into emerging markets where Pirelli lacks direct presence.
- Michelin: Global tire manufacturer and one of Zafco's represented brands. Comparable as a tire industry leader with international distribution, though Michelin owns manufacturing and brand IP while Zafco owns the last-mile distribution into markets Michelin does not serve directly.
- Bridgestone Corporation: World's largest tire manufacturer with global distribution operations and a retreading/services network. Comparable as a global tire player with multi-region presence, though Bridgestone controls manufacturing while Zafco serves as an independent distribution channel for several competing brands.
- Hankook Tire & Technology: South Korean global tire manufacturer and one of Zafco's represented brands. Comparable as an industry participant with global distribution reach, though Hankook focuses on manufacturing while depending on partners like Zafco for last-mile distribution in select markets.
- Sumitomo Rubber Industries: Japanese global tire manufacturer and parent of the Nitto brand, which Zafco distributes. Comparable as a tire industry participant with global distribution ambitions, though Sumitomo owns manufacturing while relying on independent distributors like Zafco for market entry in select regions.
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company: Global tire manufacturer with extensive distribution networks and a tire/service retail presence in many markets. Comparable as a multi-region tire industry participant, though Goodyear owns manufacturing and branded retail while Zafco serves as an independent multi-brand distributor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zafco social profiles
Digital presenceZafco financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zafco leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Zafco subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Zafco funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zafco M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zafco
What does Zafco do?
Zafco manufactures and distributes automotive tyres, batteries, and lubricants under a multi-brand portfolio that includes globally recognised names such as Pirelli, Michelin, Toyo, Nitto, Hankook, Kumho, Roadstone, Doublecoin, Armstrong, Otani, Zeetex, Accelera, Forceum, and Gazelle Gold. Its tyre range covers passenger car radial (PCR) and truck and bus radial (TBR) applications, complemented by automotive batteries and lubricants, with distribution executed across 140+ countries via regional websites, a partner dealer network, and the Zdegree e-commerce platform.
Is Zafco a public or private company?
Zafco is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Zafco founded?
Zafco was founded in 1993. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Zafco based?
Zafco is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Zafco make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tyre Distribution and Sales are the primary driver. The others are battery Distribution and Sales and lubricant Distribution and Sales.
Who are Zafco's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Al Dobowi Group, Point S and Tire Rack. Broad incumbents are Continental AG, Pirelli & C. S.p.A., Michelin, Bridgestone Corporation, Hankook Tire & Technology, Sumitomo Rubber Industries and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Does Zafco have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zafco.
What industry is Zafco in?
Zafco's product category is Automotive Tyre and Parts Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOANAD, Tires, wheels & related supplies distribution, with a secondary code of TLAKAOAL, Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners). Its NAICS code is 326211 and its SIC code is 5013.