Rating Rationale
August 07, 2024 | Mumbai
Hindustan Hardy Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL BB+/Stable'; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.13.78 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BB+/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BB/Stable')
Short Term RatingCRISIL A4+ (Reaffirmed)
Note: None of the Directors on CRISIL Ratings Limited’s Board are members of rating committee and thus do not participate in discussion or assignment of any ratings. The Board of Directors also does not discuss any ratings at its meetings.
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed rationale

CRISIL Ratings has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Hindustan Hardy Ltd (HHL) to CRISIL BB+/Stable from CRISIL BB/Stable and reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL A4+’ rating on the short-term bank facilities.

 

The rating upgrade factors in the improvement in the business risk profile and liquidity of the company. HHL was able to achieve operating income of Rs 67.8 crore in fiscal 2024, compared with Rs 63.1 crore in fiscal 2023. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) margin improved over 11% in fiscal 2024 supported by cost optimisation measures adopted by the management, including product optimisation and overhead reduction. The rating upgrade also factors in expected improvement in the business risk profile over the medium term supported by customer addition and better Ebitda margin resulting from improved scalability.

 

The ratings reflect the company's established market position in the propeller shaft industry and moderate financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility of operating performance to volatility in input prices and foreign exchange (forex) rates, and modest scale of operations.

Key rating drivers and detailed description

Strengths:

  • Established market position: Presence of more than three decades in the shaft industry has enabled the promoter to develop strong understanding of market dynamics and healthy relationships with customers and suppliers. Supported by strong market position, the company has relationships with various original equipment manufacturers such as Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd, Border Holdings and SML Isuzu Ltd.

 

  • Moderate financial risk profile: Gearing and total outside liabilities to total networth ratio were around 0.18 time and 0.83 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2024, as against 0.21 time and 0.94 time, respectively, a year earlier. Debt protection metrics were comfortable, as reflected in interest coverage ratio of 32 times in fiscal 2024, as against 15 times in fiscal 2023. The company does not have any major debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) plans over the medium term.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Modest scale of operations: Revenue was average at Rs 67.89 crore in fiscal 2024. Increase in revenue with higher orders from agriculture segment and elevated overseas demand remains monitorable.

 

  • Susceptibility to fluctuations in raw material prices and forex rates: The operating margin is susceptible to volatility in input prices. Ebitda margin improved to over 11% in fiscal 2024 from 10% in fiscal 2023 and will likely be sustained over the medium term.

Liquidity: Adequate

Bank limit was utilised around 25% for the 13 months through June 2024. The company is expected to generate cash accrual over Rs 5.5 crore per fiscal against yearly debt obligation of Rs 0.63-1.0 crore over the medium term. Current ratio was 1.81 times as on March 31, 2024.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL Ratings believes HHL will continue to benefit from the extensive experience of the promoter and management’s initiatives towards revenue expansion and cost reduction.

Rating sensitivity factors

Upward factors:

  • Steady revenue growth along with stable profitability resulting in cash accrual over Rs 10 crore
  • Improvement in the working capital cycle while maintaining financial risk profile

 

Downward factors:

  • Lower-than-expected revenue or fall in operating margin below 8% leading to lower net cash accrual
  • Large, debt-funded capex or acquisition or higher-than-expected dividend payout weakening the financial risk profile and liquidity

About the company

Incorporated in 1982 in Nashik, Maharashtra, HHL manufactures propeller shafts (mechanical devices that transfer power from engines or motors to the point of application). The company is promoted by XLO India Ltd.

Key financial indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

Unit

2024

2023

Operating income

Rs crore

67.89

63.14

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

4.87

3.84

PAT margin

%

7.17

6.08

Adjusted debt / adjusted networth

Times

0.18

0.21

Interest coverage

Times

32.27

15.51

Any other information: Not Applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.

Annexure - Details of instrument(s)

ISIN Name of the instrument Date of
Allotment
Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity
Date
Issue size
(Rs. Crore)
Complexity
Level
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Bank guarantee NA NA NA 0.1 NA CRISIL A4+
NA Cash credit NA NA NA 5.5 NA CRISIL BB+/Stable
NA Foreign exchange facility NA NA NA 0.16 NA CRISIL A4+
NA Letter of credit NA NA NA 0.1 NA CRISIL A4+
NA Proposed fund-based bank limits NA NA NA 1.14 NA CRISIL BB+/Stable
NA Term loan NA NA Mar-2026 6.78 NA CRISIL BB+/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2024 (History) 2023  2022  2021  Start of 2021
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities ST/LT 13.58 CRISIL BB+/Stable / CRISIL A4+   -- 22-05-23 CRISIL BB/Stable / CRISIL A4+ 22-02-22 CRISIL BB/Stable / CRISIL A4+   -- CRISIL BB-/Stable / CRISIL A4+
      --   --   -- 31-01-22 CRISIL A4+ / CRISIL BB- /Stable(Issuer Not Cooperating)*   -- --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 0.2 CRISIL A4+   -- 22-05-23 CRISIL A4+ 22-02-22 CRISIL A4+   -- CRISIL A4+
      --   --   -- 31-01-22 CRISIL A4+ (Issuer Not Cooperating)*   -- --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
* - Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Bank Guarantee 0.1 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A4+
Cash Credit 5.5 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL BB+/Stable
Foreign Exchange Facility 0.16 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A4+
Letter of Credit 0.1 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A4+
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 1.14 Not Applicable CRISIL BB+/Stable
Term Loan 6.78 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL BB+/Stable
Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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