Rating Rationale
January 04, 2018 | Mumbai
Sandu Pharmaceuticals Limited
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.13.35 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB/Stable (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Sandu Pharmaceuticals Limited (SPL) at 'CRISIL BB/Stable'.

The rating continues to reflect an established position in the Ayurvedic medicine industry with a long track record, established distribution network, and healthy relationship with customers and suppliers developed under an experienced management team.  The rating also factors in a moderate financial risk profile because of comfortable gearing and adequate debt protection metrics. These rating strengths are partially offset by a modest scale of operations, average profitability, and large working capital requirement that constrain liquidity to some extent.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established position in Ayurvedic medicine industry with long track record, established distribution network, and healthy relationships with customers and suppliers:
SPL has been manufacturing and trading in Ayurvedic medicines for more than  three decades. This has helped the company develop various products and establish a strong distribution network. It has around nine depots and eight super-stockiest, and many stockiest which supply the products to over 100,000 retail outlets. CRISIL believes SPL will benefit from its promoters' long-standing presence, established brand, and strong distribution network over the medium term.

* Above average financial risk profile:
The company has an above average financial risk profile with low gearing of 0.56 times and moderate net worth of Rs. 19 crores as on March 31, 2017. With steady accretion to reserves and controlled reliance on external bank debt, the financial risk profile of the company is expected to remain moderate over the medium term.

Weakness
* Modest scale of operations and average profitability:
SPL's scale of operations is modest, as reflected in the revenue of Rs.44.8 crores in fiscal 2017. The operating margin was moderate at 6-7 per cent over the three years through 2016-17. This is because the company earns around 60 per cent of revenue from trading business where value addition is limited. CRISIL believes that the modest scale of operations and average profitability continues to constrain the company's business risk profile.

* Working capital intensive operations:
Large working capital requirements are driven by large inventory stocking and moderate credit allowed to stockiest and dealers. The inventory was 100-130 days over the three years through March 31, 2017. SPL's working capital requirements are expected remain large over the medium term.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes SPL will continue to benefit over the medium term from its long track record, and established brand and distribution network, in the Ayurvedic medicine industry. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case of increase in cash accruals and an improvement in working capital cycle, resulting in better liquidity. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of weakening of the financial risk profile, especially liquidity, most likely because of a decline in cash accrual, higher-than-expected debt-funded capital expenditure, or a significant increase in exposure to group companies.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1985 by the Mumbai-based Sandu family, SPL manufactures Ayurvedic medicines. In 1994, the company was listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Its production facility is at Goa. SPL manufactures over 100 types of products, including oils, syrups, granules, powder, and avlehas, which are marketed under the Sandu brand.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs. Cr. 44.82 41.05
Profit After Tax Rs. Cr. 0.42 0.54
PAT margin % 0.9 1.3
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.56 0.61
Interest coverage Times 2.04 1.85

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 Cash Credit NA NA NA 10 CRISIL BB/Stable
NA Proposed Cash Credit Limit NA NA NA 3.35 CRISIL BB/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  13.35 CRISIL BB/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL BB/Stable 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 10 CRISIL BB/Stable Cash Credit 10 CRISIL BB/Stable
Proposed Cash Credit Limit 3.35 CRISIL BB/Stable Term Loan 3.35 CRISIL BB/Stable
Total 13.35 -- Total 13.35 --
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 the Pharmaceutical Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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