Rating Rationale
June 07, 2023 | Mumbai
Le Merite Exports Limited
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.35 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BBB-/Stable (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 reaffirmed its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Le Merite Exports Limited (LMEL) to ‘CRISIL BBB-/Stable’.

 

The rating continues to reflect the extensive experience of the promoter in the yarn manufacturing and trading business, improvement in financial profile, and adequate liquidity. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition, and large working capital cycle.

Analytical Approach

Unsecured loans of Rs. 0.5 lakhs as on March 31, 2022 have been treated as debt

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Extensive experience of the promoter: The decade-and-half-long presence in the textile industry has enabled the promoter, to gain strong understanding of industry dynamics, which aids in procurement and stocking decisions and maintain healthy relationships with customers and suppliers, ensuring repeat orders and assured supply. Further, LMEL ventured into yarn manufacturing and revenues from the manufacturing segment. The company is estimated to achieve revenues of Rs. 364 crores in fiscal 2023. Business profile of the company will continue to be supported from the extensive experience of the promoters.

 

  • Improved financial profile: Networth and total outside liabilities to adjusted networth has improved as on March 31, 2023 to around Rs. 96-97 crore and 1.1-1.15 times respectively from Rs. 45.5 crore and 2.9 times respectively a year ago. This is due to equity infusion of Rs. 44-45 crore incurred during the year as well as steady accretion to reserves. It is expected to remain stable due to moderate reliance on external debt to support working capital requirement. Debt protection metrics are comfortable marked by interest coverage ratio of around 2.9-3 times in fiscal 2023 and is expected to remain in the similar range marked by moderate leverage over the medium term

 

Weaknesses:

  • Large working capital requirement: Gross current assets are at around  150-155 days as on March 31, 2023 (as compared to 114 days a year ago). This is driven by moderate debtors and low inventory of around 95-100 days and 15-20 days respectively as on March 31, 2023 (as compared to 92 and 9 days a year ago). Although, receivables is large due to high credit period extended to customers, inventory is low and generally order backed. Receivables may remain high due to the elongated credit period provided to customers. The working capital cycle is expected to remain stable over the medium term.

 

  • Exposure to intense competition: The cotton trading industry is marked by huge fragmentation, given the low entry barriers. . Furthermore, the yarn trading industry is fragmented because of the presence of several players at different points in the value chain. Presence of several small players catering to price-sensitive customers, intensifies competition and restricts bargaining power with customers and supplier, and hence, profitability. This can be reflected in decline in revenues and operating margins to around Rs. 360-365 crore and 2.8-2.9% in fiscal 2023 from Rs. 519 crore and 6.1% in fiscal 2022. Operating margins are further susceptible to volatility in yarn prices. Limited ability to pass on increase in prices to customers due to intense competition could further affect the business profile of the company and remains a key monitorable over the medium term. 

Liquidity: Adequate

Cash accrual of Rs 5-6 crore per fiscal in 2024 and 2025, would be sufficient against the minimal yearly term debt of Rs 0.25 crore. Bank limit utilisation averaged 69% during the 6 months through March 2023. Strong cash and bank balance of around Rs. 42 crores as on March 31, 2023 Moderate cash accruals, cushion in bank lines and strong cash balance will continue to support working capital management over the medium term.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL Ratings believes LMEL will continue to benefit from the extensive experience of its promoter in the textile industry and his established client relationships.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward factors:

  • Significant growth in revenue and steady operating margins, leading to cash accrual of more than Rs. 8 crore
  • Sustenance of financial risk profile and improved working capital cycle

 

Downward factors:

  • Decline in revenue and operating margin, leading to net cash accrual below Rs 4 crore per fiscal
  • Stretch in the working capital cycle or large debt-funded capital expenditure, weakening the financial risk profile

About the Company

Incorporated in 2003 by the promoter, Mr Abhishek Lath, LMEL trades in cotton yarn and fabric. The Mumbai-based company derives bulk of its revenue from exports. Since June 2020, the company started manufacturing cotton yarn in its leased unit. Manufacturing facilities are located in Nagpur, Dhamangaon and Nanded (all in Maharashtra)

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2022

2021

Operating income

Rs crore

519.03

266.01

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

21.06

6.96

PAT margin

%

4.1

2.6

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

2.20

2.21

Interest coverage

Times

8.95

6.66

 

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

instrument

Date of allotment

Coupon

rate (%)

Maturity date

Issue size

(Rs crore)

Complexity levels

Rating assigned

with outlook

NA

Export Packing Credit

NA

NA

NA

35

NA

CRISIL BBB-/Stable

 

Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2023 (History) 2022  2021  2020  Start of 2020
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 35.0 CRISIL BBB-/Stable   -- 25-08-22 CRISIL BBB-/Stable 22-06-21 CRISIL BB+/Positive 25-11-20 CRISIL BB/Stable CRISIL BB/Stable
Bill Discounting under Letter of Credit ST   --   --   -- 22-06-21 CRISIL A4+ 25-11-20 CRISIL A4+ --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Export Packing Credit 13.4 Shinhan Bank CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Export Packing Credit 6 UCO Bank CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Export Packing Credit 3.5 ICICI Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Export Packing Credit 12.1 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Stable

This Annexure has been updated on 07-Jun-23 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 06-Mar-23 received from the rated entity.

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 Bank Loan Ratings
Criteria for rating trading companies
Rating Criteria for Cotton Textile Industry

Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk

Aveek Datta
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
M: +91 99204 93912
B: +91 22 3342 3000
AVEEK.DATTA@crisil.com

Prakruti Jani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
M: +91 98678 68976
B: +91 22 3342 3000
PRAKRUTI.JANI@crisil.com

Rutuja Gaikwad 
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
B: +91 22 3342 3000
Rutuja.Gaikwad@ext-crisil.com


Jaya Mirpuri
Director
CRISIL Ratings Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
jaya.mirpuri@crisil.com


Shalaka Singh
Associate Director
CRISIL Ratings Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
Shalaka.Singh@crisil.com


Nishita Kalpesh Vora
Senior Rating Analyst
CRISIL Ratings Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
Nishita.Vora@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper/magazine/agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL Ratings. However, CRISIL Ratings alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites and portals.


About CRISIL Ratings Limited (A subsidiary of CRISIL Limited, an S&P Global Company)

CRISIL Ratings pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, we set the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible/convertible/partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 33,000 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. We have also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including ratings for municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs).
 
CRISIL Ratings Limited ('CRISIL Ratings') is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited ('CRISIL'). CRISIL Ratings Limited is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI").
 
For more information, visit www.crisilratings.com 

 



About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading, agile and innovative global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. 

It is India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions with a strong track record of growth, culture of innovation, and global footprint.

It has delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 100,000 customers through businesses that operate from India, the US, the UK, Argentina, Poland, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

It is majority owned by S&P Global Inc, a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.

For more information, visit www.crisil.com

Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK


CRISIL PRIVACY NOTICE
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL. For further information on CRISIL's privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.



DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer is part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale ('report') that is provided by CRISIL Ratings Limited ('CRISIL Ratings'). To avoid doubt, the term 'report' includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the report. The report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the report is to be construed as CRISIL Ratings providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL Ratings does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL Ratings and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the report. In preparing our report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind to enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the report pertains. The report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Ratings are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold or sell any securities/instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL Ratings assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL Ratings may disseminate its opinions and analysis. The rating contained in the report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the report in any way. CRISIL Ratings or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the entity to which the report pertains.

Neither CRISIL Ratings nor its affiliates, third-party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, 'CRISIL Ratings Parties') guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the report, and no CRISIL Ratings Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the report. EACH CRISIL RATINGS PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Ratings Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. Public ratings and analysis by CRISIL Ratings, as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any), are made available on its website, www.crisilratings.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee - more details about ratings by CRISIL Ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL Ratings and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL Ratings has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL Ratings does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and/or relies on in its reports. CRISIL Ratings has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL Ratings has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to:
https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html.

Rating criteria by CRISIL Ratings are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL Ratings public website, www.crisilratings.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL Ratings, you may contact the CRISIL Ratings desk at crisilratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without prior written consent from CRISIL Ratings.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL Ratings Limited. CRISIL Ratings is a wholly owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited.

 

 

CRISIL Ratings uses the prefix 'PP-MLD' for the ratings of principal-protected market-linked debentures (PPMLD) with effect from November 1, 2011, to comply with the SEBI circular, "Guidelines for Issue and Listing of Structured Products/Market Linked Debentures". The revision in rating symbols for PPMLDs should not be construed as a change in the rating of the subject instrument. For details on CRISIL Ratings' use of 'PP-MLD' please refer to the notes to Rating scale for Debt Instruments and Structured Finance Instruments at the following link: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/credit-ratings-scale.html