Rating Rationale
June 07, 2019 | Mumbai
Afflatus International
Ratings upgraded to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.70 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.55 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BB+/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3 (Upgraded from 'CRISIL A4+')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its ratings on the bank loan facilities of Afflatus International (AI) to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3' from 'CRISIL BB+/Stable/CRISIL A4+'.
 
The upgrade reflects the improved business risk profile, backed by the firm's established position in readymade garment (RMG) exports, addition of new customers and extensive experience of the partners. Revenue has grown by an estimated 30.6% in fiscal 2019, up to Rs 178.1 crore as compared to fiscal 2018, driven by addition of new customers in the US and stabilisation of operations, post implementation of the Goods and Service Tax. Sales volume rose to around 27.66 lakh pieces in fiscal 2019, from 19.74 lakh pieces, a year earlier. Operating margin also improved to 9% in fiscal 2019, from 6% in fiscal 2018, aided by higher revenue, resulting in economies of scale, increase in duty drawback by 40% from 2.5% in Dec 2018 (earlier reduced from 9% to 2.5%), and addition of customers in the US and UK, where the margin is relatively higher. Revenue is expected to grow by 8-10%, with operating margin of around 9%, over the medium term.
 
The upgrade also factors in the improvement in financial risk profile and liquidity. Growth in revenue and operating margin are likely to result into cash accrual of Rs 8-10 crore per fiscal, against maturing debt of Rs 4.75-5.25 crore in the medium term. Hence, excess cash accruals would support the incremental working capital requirement, lowering the dependence in bank lines, as reflected in average bank limit utilization of 63% for 12 months through April 2019, as compared to 73%, a year earlier. Also, the debt protection metrics have improved with interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios of 3.25 times and 0.12 times, respectively, for fiscal 2019, as compared to 2.16 times and 0 time, respectively, a year earlier.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Extensive experience of the partners in the RMG industry: The four-decade-long experience of the partners in the RMG industry, and their strong relationships with reputed customers and suppliers, will continue to support the business over the medium term.
 
* Comfortable financial risk profile: Financial risk profile should remain comfortable over the medium term, despite the debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) plan. Interest coverage and net cash accruals to adjusted debt ratios are expected to be around 3 times and 0.11 time, respectively, over the medium term. Comfortable networth, along with moderate reliance on bank debt, should keep gearing around 1.3-1.5 times, over the medium term.
 
Weaknesses:
* Exposure to volatility in raw material prices and change in government policies: Operating margin remains susceptible to volatility in raw material prices and change in government policies. In fiscal 2018, the margin was affected by drop in volume of RMG exports from India. Also, exit of Britain from the European Union and implementation of GST in India, led to a drop in revenue in fiscals 2017 and 2018.
 
* Large working capital requirement: Gross current assets were high, led by inventory and receivables of 105 and 96 days, respectively, estimated as on March 31, 2019.
Liquidity

The liquidity is expected to be adequate. The expected cash accruals of Rs 8-10 crore, per fiscal over the medium term, against repayment obligation of Rs 4.75-5.25 crore. Hence, excess cash accruals would support the incremental working capital requirement, lowering the dependence in bank lines, as reflected in average bank limit utilization of 63% for 12 months through April 2019, as compared to 73%, a year earlier. Current ratio is expected to remain at around 1.2 times, over the medium term. The firm would undertake a capex worth Rs 19 crore towards setting up a new plant in Gurgaon. The firm would shift its operations in Delhi plant, which is a rented facility to Gurgaon plant, which would be company-owned plant.  The project would be funded by a term loan worth Rs 12 crore and remaining equity and internal accruals. The timely infusion of promoters' funds and completion of project would remain a key monitorable.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes AI will continue to benefit from its partners' extensive experience in the RMG industry. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if higher than expected revenue and profitability, results in better-than-expected cash accrual along with efficient working capital management. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if decline in revenue or profitability lead to low cash accrual or deterioration in working capital management, or larger than expected debt-funded capex or higher-than expected time for stabilistaion of operations in new plant, weakens the financial risk profile, mainly, liquidity.

About the Firm

AI was set up as a partnership firm by Mr Vivek Mahna in 2000. Operations are managed by Mr Mahna, his wife, Ms Renu Mahna, and son, Mr Gokul Mahna. It manufactures garments mainly for exports to the UK. It has four manufacturing units, 3 at Manesar in Haryana, and 1 at Okhla in Delhi.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019* 2018
Revenue Rs crore 178.11 136.35
Profit after tax Rs crore 5.64 1.09
PAT margin % 3.17 0.80
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.61 1.46
Interest coverage Times 3.25 2.16
*Provisional

Status of non cooperation with previous CRA:
AI has not cooperated with India Ratings and Research which has published its ratings as an issuer not co-operating vide a release dated May 22, 2018. The reason provided by India Ratings and Research was non-furnishing of information for monitoring the ratings.

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon
rate (%)
Maturity date Issue size
(Rs cr)
Rating assigned 
and outlook
NA Bill Discounting NA NA NA 35 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Foreign Letter of Credit NA NA NA 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 15 CRISIL A3
NA Proposed Long Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 15 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  65.00  CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3      15-06-18  CRISIL BB+/Stable/ CRISIL A4+  02-02-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3  11-03-16  Suspended  CRISIL A4+ 
            11-06-18  CRISIL BB+/Stable/ CRISIL A4+           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  5.00  CRISIL BBB-/Stable      15-06-18  CRISIL BB+/Stable  02-02-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable    --  -- 
            11-06-18  CRISIL BB+/Stable           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bill Discounting 35 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Bill Discounting 38 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Foreign Letter of Credit 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Foreign Letter of Credit 5 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Packing Credit 15 CRISIL A3 Packing Credit 12 CRISIL A4+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 15 CRISIL BBB-/Stable -- 0 --
Total 70 -- Total 55 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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