Rating Rationale
December 09, 2019 | Mumbai
Kamala Tea Co Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.24.1 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL B/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL B/Stable/CRISIL A4' ratings on the bank facilities of Kamala Tea Co Limited (KTCL).
 
The ratings continue to reflect KTCL's large working capital requirement and exposure to risks related to seasonality in production. These weaknesses are partially offset by the extensive experience of the promoters in the tea industry.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Weakness
* Large working capital requirement: Gross current assets were 214 days as on March 31, 2019, driven by large inventory of finished goods due to delayed sales from auction houses.
 
* Exposure to risks related to seasonality in production: Business risk profile should remain susceptible to the monsoons, as tea is a seasonal product. Furthermore, labour and other expenses account for 50-55% of the total cost. Reduced production can lead to operating losses or drop in profitability. Moreover, modest scale of operations and sales through auction limit KTCL's pricing power.
 
Strengths
* Extensive experience of the promoters: The three-decade-long experience of the promoters in the tea industry has enabled the promoters to sustain operations despite cyclicality and maintain year-on-year growth in operating revenue.
 
Liquidity: Stretched
The liquidity risk profile of the company continues to remain stretched marked by moderate cash accruals of Rs. 1.71 crore as against repayment obligations of Rs. 0.33 crore over the medium term. The bank limit utilisation of the company remains highly utilised at 95% for the last six months over the medium term.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes KTCL will continue to benefit from the promoters' extensive experience.

Rating sensitivity factors:
Upward Factors
*Revenue increasing by 10%, along with stable profitability
*Improved working capital management

Downward Factors
*More than 10% decline in revenue leading to reduced accrual
*Stretched working capital cycle because of high inventory or receivables weakening liquidity.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1913, KTCL cultivates and processes cut, tear, and curl and orthodox black tea at its four fully integrated tea estates in West Bengal and Tripura. It sells through auction houses in Kolkata. Mr Sajjan Kumar Agarwalla and Mr Suresh Kumar Agarwalla are the promoters.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2019* 2018
Operating income Rs crore 34.71 31.53
Reported profit after tax Rs crore 0.62 0.58
PAT margin % 1.8 1.9
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.42 0.39
Interest coverage Times 1.52 1.32
*Provisional

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 with Outlook
NA Tea Hypothecation NA NA NA 17.36 CRISIL B/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA 31-Jul-2022 1.22 CRISIL B/Stable
NA Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits NA NA NA 4.92 CRISIL B/Stable
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 0.6 CRISIL A4
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  23.50  CRISIL B/Stable      26-10-18  CRISIL B/Stable  24-07-17  CRISIL B/Stable  29-04-16  CRISIL B-/Stable  CRISIL D/ CRISIL D 
                    08-02-16  CRISIL D   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  0.60  CRISIL A4      26-10-18  CRISIL A4  24-07-17  CRISIL A4  29-04-16  CRISIL A4  CRISIL D 
                    08-02-16  CRISIL D   
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
Bank Guarantee .6 CRISIL A4 Bank Guarantee .6 CRISIL A4
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 4.92 CRISIL B/Stable Proposed Term Loan 7.48 CRISIL B/Stable
Tea Hypothecation 17.36 CRISIL B/Stable Tea Hypothecation 14.39 CRISIL B/Stable
Term Loan 1.22 CRISIL B/Stable Term Loan 1.63 CRISIL B/Stable
Total 24.1 -- Total 24.1 --
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
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default

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