Zafco

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.

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

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

• Tyre distribution
• Automotive batteries
• Lubricant distribution
• Automotive parts
• Tyre manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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
2. Battery Distribution and Sales: Distribution of automotive batteries including Gazelle Gold brand
3. 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

Core 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.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• PirellicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand representation partnership for premium tyres; Pirelli is one of the globally renowned brands represented by Zafco for distribution
• MichelincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand representation partnership for Michelin tyres; one of the premium brands distributed by Zafco
• Toyo TirescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Toyo tyres known for durability and reliability across various road conditions
• HankookcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand representation partnership for Hankook tyres; one of the major brands in Zafco's portfolio
• ZeetexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution partnership for Zeetex tyres; actively building brand presence in Middle East and Asian markets
• OtanicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Otani tyres, particularly strong in Middle East markets; recognized for high mileage and maximum grip
• Double CoincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Double Coin truck and bus tyres; trusted by fleet operators in UAE for commercial transport
• ArmstrongcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Armstrong TBR and PCR tyres; noted for quality, performance, affordability, and durability
• NittomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand representation partnership for Nitto tyres in the distribution network
• KumhomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand representation partnership for Kumho tyres
• RoadstonemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand representation partnership for Roadstone tyres
• AcceleramajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand representation partnership for Accelera tyres
• ForceummajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand representation partnership for Forceum tyres
• Gazelle GoldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBattery brand partnership; Gazelle Gold batteries distributed by Zafco for consistent performance and long-lasting durability

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZafcoGlobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zafco
• Instagraminstagram.com/zafcoglobal
• Xx.com/zafcodubai

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zafco