Built on a foundation of trust and tradition, the relationship between Al Hafez and Shell started in the 1960s, making Al Hafez, Shell’s oldest and most valuable business partner in the region.

The association started when Al Havez worked with Shell to distribute Shell Chemical products, mainly supplying Kuwait National Petroleum refineries .

Both companies, Shell and Al Hafez, have grown their businesses  tremendously. Al Havez has increased staff strength from tens to hundreds, training them to the highest levels, adding more products to the portfolio and becoming Shell’s leading supplier of lubricants in the Kuwait market.

In the early 1970s, Al Hafez was appointed as a distributor of Shell products in Kuwait after reporting strong sales in the chemical products.

Al Hafez has made substantial investments in the business. One of these investments includes a sprawling, state-of-the-art warehouse:

• 100 percent self-owned
• Constructed on a massive 4000sqm
• Built up area of 1600sqm with large storage
• Greenfield project
• Certified by local authorities in Kuwait
• Innovative and modern facility
• Environment-friendly
• Caters to both government tenders and local market sales
• Equipped to handle the growing demands of the pharma and lubricants business
• Avante garde logistics and distribution mechanisms

Al Hafez’s Shell product portfolio of lubricants includes:

• Aviation, marine and specialized products
• All engine oils
• Industrial products.

Both companies share a joint vision and strategy: to achieve harmony and mutual prosperity with its partners within the local communities. It is these mutually shared values that further strengthen the relationship, enabling it to weather turmoil and challenges,  such as the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the recent Covid-19 pandemic. 

Shell’s Regional Office in Dubai further spurred Al Hafez’s growth due to joint promotional and training activities that include technical support and guidance on HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) matters.

In recent years, and in keeping with modernization, both companies are focused on embracing technology and shifting operations to digital and E-commerce platforms.

Al Hafez is also actively seeking to extend value-added services to its customers in Kuwait. Towards this end, Al Hafez is investing further in its infrastructure and collaborating with suppliers that share its mutual vision and work ethos.