Rating Rationale
January 23, 2020 | Mumbai
Mahakali Foods Private Limited
Long-term rating downgraded to 'CRISIL BB-/Stable' ; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.40.72 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB-/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BB+/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Mahakali Foods Private Limited (MFPL) to 'CRISIL BB-/Stable' from 'CRISIL BB+/Stable' while reaffirming its short-term rating at 'CRISIL A4+'.
 
The downgrade reflects continued stretch in liquidity on account of continued high working capital requirement and absence of cushion between expected accrual over the medium term against term debt obligation. The working capital requirement has increased on account of 20% increase in operating income in fiscal 2019, compared to the corresponding period of the last fiscal. However, the enhancement in working capital limit has not yet taken place. Also, the debt repayment of the company has increased since it availed unsecured small-term loans from various non-banking financial companies and body corporates to meet its short-term requirement. These loans totaled Rs 8.80 crore as on March 31, 2019.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the extensive experience of the promoters in the soya oil extraction industry, diversity in revenue streams, and established clientele. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility of the operating margin to volatility in soya bean prices and intense competition.

Analytical Approach

Unsecured loans from the promoter were earlier treated as neither debt nor equity, as they are expected to remain in the business for over five years, subordinated to bank debt. The loans are now being treated as debt, because of part withdrawal or reduction in loans.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths: 
* Diversified revenue base stemming from long-standing experience of its promoters in the soya oil extraction industry:  MFPL has been promoted by Mr Pankaj Saha and his family members, based in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The two-decade-long experience of the promoters has enabled the company to set up a diversified revenue base. Though it mainly manufactures crude edible oil and soya de-oiled cake (DOC), it also makes value-added products such as soya flour, granules, nuggets, full fat grit,  and untoasted DOC. Presence in the value-added products segment offers additional flexibility to generate revenue from edible and non-edible DOC, based on market demand.
 
* Established client base: Company sells bulk of its output to traders and wholesalers in its network, built over the years. It also sells soya DOC to institutional players such as Kriti Nutrients Ltd, Cargill India Pvt Ltd (rated 'CRISIL A1+'), Godrej Agrovet Ltd, and Suguna Poultry Farm Ltd.
 
Weaknesses:
* Susceptibility of operating margin to volatile soya bean prices: The operating margin remains vulnerable to any adverse movement in prices of soya seeds, or finished products, soya oil, and DOC. Soya bean, being a seasonal product, is available mainly between October and January. In the absence of any long-term contracts with suppliers, the operating margin could be hit adversely by the decline in soya product prices. Operating margin has been at 2.0-3.0% for the four fiscals ending 2019. Availability of soya is also affected by fluctuations in rainfall.
 
* Exposure to intense competition in the soya processing industry: The soya industry has a large number of players, who depend on channel partners, such as traders and wholesalers. Soya bean, soya DOC, and oil are commoditised products. Hence, individual players have limited pricing power and are usually price takers in the market.
 
* Weak financial risk profile: The total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio was high at 3.49 times, as on March 31, 2019. Debt protection metrics were average with interest coverage ratio of 1.59 times and net cash accrual to total debt ratio of 0.07 time, in fiscal 2019. The financial risk profile is expected to remain at similar levels over the medium term.
Liquidity Stretched

Cash accrual is expected to be Rs 1.27-3.61 crore per annum in fiscals 2020 and 2021, respectively, against term debt obligation of Rs 7.36 crore and Rs 3.45 crore per annum, respectively. However, it is supported by promoters' unsecured loans of Rs 4.09 crore and unencumbered cash and bank balance of Rs 1.95 crore as on March 31, 2019. Bank limit utilisation remained high at 90% on an average over the 12 months through August 2019. Current ratio was low at 1.06 times as on March 31, 2019.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes MFPL will maintain its market position in the soya business over the medium term, backed by its established customer relationships.
 
Rating sensitivity factors:
Upward factors:
* Substantial cash accrual from business operations and net cash accrual to repayment ratio increasing above 1.50 times
* Reduced debt level, leading to improved capital structure
 
Downward factors:
* Lower-than-anticipated cash accrual because of weakening business operations and net cash accrual to repayment ratio decreasing to below 0.50 time
* Any major capital expenditure, or stretch in working capital cycle weakening the financial risk profile

About the Company

MFPL was set up in 1990, by the Saha family of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The company manufactures soya products, including unrefined soya oil, edible and non-edible DOC, and value-added soya products such as soya nuggets and granules, full fat grit, and soya flour.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 446.10 370.56
Profit After Tax (PAT)  Rs crore 0.67 2.10
PAT Margin % 0.1 0.6
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 2.01 3.18
Interest coverage Times 1.59 1.90
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 Crore)
Rating Assigned 
with Outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 28.75 CRISIL BB-/Stable
NA Credit Limit Under Gold Card NA NA NA 3 CRISIL BB-/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 1.75 CRISIL A4+
NA Term Loan NA NA Mar-2020 7.22 CRISIL BB-/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  38.97  CRISIL BB-/Stable          31-10-18  CRISIL BB+/Stable  10-07-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  CRISIL BB+/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1.75  CRISIL A4+          31-10-18  CRISIL A4+  10-07-17  CRISIL A3  CRISIL A4+ 
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
Cash Credit 28.75 CRISIL BB-/Stable Cash Credit 28.75 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Credit Limit Under Gold Card 3 CRISIL BB-/Stable Credit Limit Under Gold Card 3 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Letter of Credit 1.75 CRISIL A4+ Letter of Credit 1.75 CRISIL A4+
Term Loan 7.22 CRISIL BB-/Stable Term Loan 7.22 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Total 40.72 -- Total 40.72 --
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 Criteria for rating short term debt

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