Set up in 1880, Les Etablissements AFA are specialized in the design of toe-clips, toe-straps, bicycle bells and racks. Later called POUTRAIT, the company works closely with famous riders to develop products. In partnership with Mr Lapize and Mr Christophe, both French famous cyclists, POUTRAIT created, at the beginning of the twentieth century, products under two new brands: LAPIZE and CHRISTOPHE.

A few years after the creation of AFA / POUTRAIT, another French industrialist, Mr. Sclaverand, invented and manufactured the first bicycle valve which took his name for decades before being called the French valve or Presta valve.

In 1900, his company became the Etablissements Edward MORIN, the name of it's new owner. The company is specialised in the manufacture of frame-pumps and foot-pumps under several brands, including ZEFAL (which is launched in the early 20th-century).

In 1935, the 2 companies merged to become Les Etablissements POUTRAIT-MORIN.

In 1945, Mr Morin created FREXA (France Export Association) with other French manufacturers, to export French products into foreign markets.

In 1949, POUTRAIT-MORIN patented the process SOLIBLOC. These aluminum pumps are bottomless and are a significant innovation in the market, as they can finally prevent many leaks whilst inflating the tyres.

In the 60's, thanks to the FREXA initiative, POUTRAIT-MORIN exported over 75% of production.

In the early 70's, the engineering team of the company developed the HPX pump, equipped with many innovations such as the locking-lever on the valve, the reversible Presta / Schrader -valve and blocking of the handle which allows the pump to attain very high pressures. After more than 40 years after it's release, HPX is still considered as the best hand pump on the market.

In the 80's, POUTRAIT-MORIN changed its name to its most popular brand, ZEFAL. It was also at that time, and following the advent of the MTB, when the first mini-pump has been developed: the mini-double-shot. Even today this mini-pump appears to be the world's best selling mini-pump.

In the 1990's, Zéfal launched new products and carried on diversification by developing ranges of bottles, bottle-cages, racks and mudguards.

In early 2000, while focusing on core business, Zéfal kept expanding it's references: mirrors, luggage and maintenance and more repair products allow Zéfal to offer a complete range of accessories.