| Shakambhari Ispat and Power Limited | ||||||
| Ratings upgraded to 'CRISIL BBB+ / Stable , CCR BBB+ / Stable / CRISIL A2 '; rated amount enhanced for Bank Debt | ||||||
| Rating Action | ||||||
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| 1 crore = 10 million | ||||||
| Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities |
Detailed Rationale CRISIL Ratings has upgraded the corporate credit rating of Shakambhari Ispat and Power Ltd (SIPL; a part of the Shakambhari Group of Industries) to 'CCR BBB+/Stable’ from ‘CCR BBB/Stable’. Further, the ratings on the bank facilities of SIPL have been upgraded to ‘CRISIL BBB+/Stable/CRISIL A2’ from ‘CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+’.
The upgrade reflects a belief that scale, and financial risk profile of the group will continue to improve in fiscal 2022 as well. Revenue should grow by 35-40% on-year in fiscal 2022, driven by healthy volume growth owing to addition of capacities during the year and better realisation. Revenue grew by 33% to around Rs 2,687 crore in fiscal 2021, as compared to Rs 2,014 crore in fiscal 2020. Scale may rise even further, with the addition of the pellet plant in fiscal 2022. The plant has started operations from end of December 2021. This should generate revenue of Rs 150-200 crore in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and above Rs 1,000 crore in fiscal 2023.
The ratings also factor in the improving financial risk profile of the group. The operating margin is likely to rise to 13.5-14.0% in fiscal 2022 from 13.0% in fiscal 2021; it may further increase in fiscal 2023 as the effects of pellet plant takes into effect.
Financial risk profile though improving, remains average, as a result of capital expenditure (capex) undertaken over the last 3-4 years and an acquisition made in fiscal 2020. For fiscal 2021, interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt (NCATD) ratios were 2.5 times and 12.0%, respectively; gearing was 1.2 times as on March 31, 2021. Cash accrual was healthy at Rs 184 crore in fiscal 2021 and is projected at around Rs 300 crore in fiscal 2022. Interest coverage and NCATD ratios are expected at 3.3-3.7 times and 16-20%, respectively, in fiscal 2022. Liquidity improved drastically with enhancement in the working capital limit (by around Rs 260 crore). Financial risk profile is likely to improve further over the next 2-3 years, supported by strong cash accrual of Rs 300-500 crore and improving debt protection metrics as profitability increases. The promoters are likely to continue extending timely, need-based unsecured loans to aid the operations.
The ratings also consider healthy business risk profile, marked by strong market position, improving scale of business and operating efficiency, supported by integrated nature of operations and longstanding experience of promoters in the steel sector. Revenue improved at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 35% for the five fiscals through 2021, driven by large capacity additions and inorganic growth. Operating margin also rose over the years with forward integration, increasing share of value-added products and operating leverage benefits from enhanced capacities.
The group benefits from diversification across product segments, presence of strong brand and diversified customers. It has established position in East India. With acquisition of SPS Steels Rolling Mills Ltd (SPS) in April 2019, the group attained the brand, Elegant, for rolling mills capacity, which has strong presence in Northern and Western parts of India. The credit risk profile is further supported by extensive experience of the promoters (of over two decades) and track record of support. These strengths are partially offset by vulnerability to fluctuations in price of raw material and finished goods, exposure to inherent cyclicality as well as competitive and capital-intensive nature of the steel industry. |
Analytical Approach To arrive at its ratings, CRISIL Ratings has combined the business and financial risk profiles of SIPL with SPS, Bravo Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd (BSIPL) and Eloquent Steel Pvt Ltd (ESPL). That is because these entities, collectively referred to as Shakambhari Group of Industries, are in the same business and under a common management. These entities also have significant operational and financial linkages. Further, loans extended by the promoters have been treated as 75% equity and 25% debt.
Unsecured loans (Rs 185 crore as on December 31, 2021 extended by the promoters are interest free and are expected to remain in the business over the medium term.
Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation. |
Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description Strengths Established market position and improving operating efficiency The group has an established position in the steel and steel intermediates industry in Eastern India and are improving their presence in other parts through inorganic growth. It has also increased its foothold in export markets, with more than 10% revenue derived from exports in fiscal 2021. Revenue is expected to reach Rs 3,700-4,000 crore (on consolidated basis) in fiscal 2022 from Rs 773 crore in fiscal 2016, at a CAGR of over 35%, backed by enhanced geographic reach and premium brand through acquisition of SPS, and other such acquisitions and through internal capacity additions over the years.
The promoters are associated with the steel industry for over two decades and have forward as well as backward integrated operations. Sales volume should improve to around 10.5 lakh million tonne per annum (MTPA) in fiscal 2022 from 2.96 lakh MTPA in fiscal 2017. Revenue growth will be supported over medium term, by the recent capacity expansion in fiscals 2021 and 2022. Product portfolio is well-diversified, with multiple points of sale across the value chain, including sponge iron, billets, thermo-mechanically treated bars and ferro alloys. The clientele is also fairly diversified with no single customer contributing more than 7% to total revenue.
The group has taken various measures to improve efficiency and reduce cost across entities. Operating margin is expected to improve to over 13.0% in fiscal 2022 from 4.8% in fiscal 2016. The inorganic route of growth has further supported in improving scale and profitability at a fast pace. Further, with capex done in fiscal 2022 under BSIPL, the group has backward integrating into pellet, thereby further boosting the margin. Overall operating profitability is expected at 12-15% over the medium term.
Longstanding experience of promoters The promoters have extensive experience of over two decades in the business. Under their guidance, the group diversified into various product segments, leading to integrated operations. The promoters have also shown competence in the business by turning around operations of stressed assets. In fiscal 2020, turnaround of operations of SPS, which was making losses until fiscal 2019, is attributed to the promoter’s experience - both in improving efficiency and cost reduction.
Improving, though average, financial risk profile Debt protection metrics remained moderate, as a result of capex undertaken over the last 3-4 years and acquisition made recently. The group has undertaken capex of more than Rs 1,000 crore in the last 3-4 years, which was funded through a mix of external debt and funds extended by the promoters. Interest coverage and NCATD ratios were 2.50 times and 0.12 time, respectively, in fiscal 2021. Gearing was 1.20 times as on March 31, 2021, while debt/EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) remained at 4.4 times. With improved profitability in fiscal 2022, cash accrual is expected to increase to more than Rs 300 crore from Rs 184 crore in fiscal 2021. Thus, interest coverage and NCATD ratios are projected at about 3.3 times and 16.0%, respectively, the ratios are expected at around 4.0 times and 20.0% over the medium term. Capex of around Rs 900 crore is to be incurred over fiscals 2022 and 2023, which will be funded through a mix of debt, and cash accrual. Further, the promoters are expected to continue extending timely, need-based funds to support financial flexibility, flexibility.
Weaknesses Vulnerability to fluctuations in prices of raw material and finished goods Operating margin is vulnerable to fluctuations in the cost of inputs (iron ore and coal) as well as realisation from finished goods. Prices and supply of the main raw material, iron ore, directly impacts the realisations of finished goods. Any significant change in the demand-and-pricing scenario, resulting in the operating margin moderating below 9% on a sustained basis, will remain a key monitorable.
Exposure to inherent cyclicality in, and competitive & capital-intensive nature of, steel sector The group's performance remains vulnerable to cyclicality in the steel sector, given the close linkage between the demand for steel products and the domestic and global economy. The end-user segments such as real estate, civil construction and engineering also display cyclicality. While there has been a significant push by the government on steel-intensive sectors such as railways and infrastructure, any sustained downturn in demand will adversely impact performance of steel companies.
The competitive intensity in the Indian steel sector is significant owing to presence of large steel companies such as Tata Steel Ltd, JSW Steel Ltd, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (‘CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+’). Also, steel imports from other countries, mainly China, add to the competition. Additionally, the domestic steel sector is fairly capital intensive. To maintain/improve market share, the industry participants need to routinely carry out the capacity expansion and debottlenecking activities. However, SIPL has just completed a large capacity expansion, hence no sizeable capex is likely over the medium term. |
Liquidity: Adequate Cash accrual is projected at Rs 300-400 crore per annum over the medium term, sufficient to meet the yearly debt obligation of around Rs 100-150 crore for fiscals 2022 and 2023. The company is expected to incur capex of around Rs 900 crore over fiscals 2022 and 2023, which will be funded through a mix of debt, funds by the promoters and cash accrual. The working capital limit has been enhanced by around Rs 260 crore, which will help meet short-term funding needs. The promoters are expected to continue extending timely, need-based funds to support financial flexibility. |
Outlook Stable The Shakambhari Group of Industries will continue to benefit from integrated nature of operations, improving efficiencies, extensive experience of promoters and expected improvement in the financial risk profile. |
Rating Sensitivity factors Upward factors
Downward factors
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About the Group SIPL (erstwhile Maa Chhinnamastika Steel & Power Pvt Ltd) was incorporated in 2001. Its plant was shut down in August 2010 as it was making loss. In December 2010, the Shakambari Group of Industries took control of the company. The group is based in Kolkata and has established position in Eastern market.
In 2015, BSIPL was acquired from the Bhalotia group in Jamshedpur (formerly, Bhalotia Bravo Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd). Incorporated in 1997, the entity manufactured sponge iron. It was taken over by the Bhalotia group in 2002. In June 2015, the unit was shut down by the Bhalotia group and was taken over by Mr Deepak Agarwal by paying the distress sale value of around Rs 25 crore by way of purchase of share capital. In fiscal 2018, the group purchased ESPL, which was incorporated in 2012, with an objective of setting up a submerged arc furnace for production of ferro alloys and induction furnace for production of billets. However, till 2017, the company was not having any activity except trading of iron and steel items. In November 2017, ESPL was taken over by Mr Deepak Agarwal and Ms Swati Agarwal by transfer of shares. Through ESPL, two loss making companies (Hira Concast Ltd and Impex Steel Ltd) were acquired through option bidding for setting up sub-merged electric arc furnaces to produce ferro alloys. In fiscal 2020, the promoters acquired SPS, which has an established brand, Elegant, under rolling mill.
Overall, the group has installed capacities of 7.25 lakh million tonne (MT) of sponge iron, 6.34 lakh MT of billets, 5.64 lakh MT of rolling mill and 0.75 lakh MT of silico manganese. It also has a captive power plant of 62 MW (28 MW waste heat recovery plant and 34 MW coal-based thermal power plant).
As on November 30, 2021, revenue of the group including interparty sales was Rs 3,537 crore with profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 219 crore. |
Key financial indicators (Consolidated)
*Fiscal 2020 PAT includes the non-cash income of Rs 167.67 crore in SPS, which pertains to transfer of net of trade receivables and payables outstanding prior to take over and were not admitted by resolution professional.
SIPL (standalone)
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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. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' 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)
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Annexure – List of entities consolidated
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| Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This Annexure has been updated on 05-Jan-2022 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 05-Jan-2022 received from the rated entity.
Criteria Details
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