Rating Rationale
February 03, 2023 | Mumbai
Western Carriers India Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; Rating reaffirmed; rated amount enhanced for Bank Debt
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.231 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.161 Crore)
Long Term RatingCRISIL A-/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable'; Rating Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A2+ (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 revised its outlook on the long-term bank facilities of Western Carriers India Limited (WCIL) to Positive from Stable while reaffirming the rating at CRISIL A-; the short-term rating of the company has been reaffirmed at ‘CRISIL A2+’.

 

The revision in outlook reflects significant improvement in the business risk profile of WCIL aided by substantial increase in the scale of operations over the last two fiscals. Revenue levels grew to Rs. 1470 Cr in fiscal 2022 against Rs. 1110 Cr in fiscal 2021 registering a 32% growth. H1FY23 revenue stood at over Rs. 800 Cr and WCIL is estimated to cross Rs. 1600 Cr of topline for FY23. Operating margins have remained stable at over 7% during the last two fiscals and should remain at similar levels going forward. Cash accruals were increased to Rs. 72.7 Cr as on March 2022 against Rs. 51 Cr in last fiscal; and the same is expected to grow further on account of growing revenue levels. The growth in scale of operations is likely to sustain over the medium term being backed by steady increase in client-wise revenue levels as well as addition of new clients/business YOY.

 

The ratings continue to reflect extensive experience of the promoter in the transport and logistics business, established market position of WCIL, adequate infrastructure, healthy scale of operations, reputed clientele, and comfortable financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by large working capital requirement and susceptibility to economic downturns.

Analytical Approach

1% redeemable non-cumulative preference shares have been treated as neither debt nor equity.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

Established market position and adequate infrastructure

The promoter has close to four decades of experience in the transport and logistics industry; his strong understanding of market dynamics and healthy relations with customers and suppliers helped WCIL establish a strong market position and set up adequate infrastructure and network with over 70 branches and multiple warehouses (rented and own). Though the vehicles are hired, the company has the necessary equipment to facilitate transport handling at many points across the country.

 

Healthy scale of operations and reputed and stable clientele

The company has established relationships with multiple blue-chip customers such as Hindustan Unilever Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable'), Vedanta Ltd ('CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and Hindalco Industries Ltd. This led to a sustained healthy scale, reflected in revenue of Rs 1,470 crore and Rs 1,110 crore for fiscals 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Comfortable financial risk profile

Adjusted networth was Rs 211.33 crore as on March 31, 2022, due to high paid-up share capital, securities premium, and general reserve; adjusted gearing was 0.76 time. Debt protection metrics have been comfortable, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of 7.84 times and 0.45 time, respectively, for fiscal 2022.

 

Weakness:

Large working capital requirement

The working capital cycle is likely to remain stretched and will be closely monitored. Gross current assets were 84 days as on March 31, 2022; driven by receivables of 77 days. Furthermore, significant receivables outstanding for more than 180 days increase working capital requirement.

 

Susceptibility to economic downturns

The business risk profile remains susceptible to economic downturns, though the risk is mitigated by a diverse customer base across different sectors. Nevertheless, a subdued economic scenario can adversely affect scale and working capital cycle.

Liquidity: Adequate

Bank limit utilisation was high, at around 83% for the 12 months through November 2022. However, with limit enhancement in Dec 2022, BLU position is expected to show improvements. Cash accrual is projected at over Rs 80 crore per annum, sufficient to meet term debt obligation of Rs 10-15 crore over the medium term; the surplus cash will aid financial flexibility. Current ratio was healthy at 1.73 times on March 31, 2022. Unencumbered cash and bank balance of Rs 8-9 crore maintained throughout the year supports overall liquidity. Low gearing and moderate networth provides adequate financial cushion to combat any adverse condition or downturn in the business.

Outlook Positive

CRISIL Ratings believes that WCIL will continue to benefit from extensive experience of the promoters and their established relationship with reputed clients. Sustainability of current revenue levels as well as operating margins, while maintaining stability in terms of financial risk profile will remain rating drivers going forward.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward factors

  • Substantial and sustainable increase in revenue to over 1600 Cr and while maintaining steady operating margins
  • Sustainability of financial risk profile 

 

Downward factors

  • Decline in revenue and profitability, resulting in cash accrual below Rs 45 crore
  • Deterioration in financial risk profile
  • Additional investment in group companies affecting capital structure

About the Company

WCIL, incorporated in 2011 and promoted by Mr Rajendra Sethia, provides multimodal logistics (road, rail, water, custom house agency, storage, and warehousing) services across India. Mr Rajendra Sethia and his son, Mr Kanishka Sethia, manage the business.

 

Western Carriers, a proprietorship firm set up in 1976 by Mr Rajendra Sethia, was taken over by WCIL in June 2013.

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2022

2021

Operating income

Rs crore

1,472.25

1,111.52

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

61.12

37.79

PAT margin

%

4.2

3.40

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

0.76

0.87

Interest coverage

Times

7.84

7.35

Status of non cooperation with previous CRA:

WCIL has not cooperated with Credit Analysis & Research Ltd. which classified it as non-cooperative vide release dated March 16, 2021. The reason provided by Credit Analysis & Research Ltd. is non-furnishing of information by WCIL for monitoring of ratings.

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 Amount (Rs crore) Complexity level Rating assigned with outlook
NA Bank guarantee NA NA NA 57 NA CRISIL A2+
NA Cash credit NA NA NA 174 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
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 174.0 CRISIL A-/Positive   -- 25-03-22 CRISIL A-/Stable 07-01-21 CRISIL A-/Stable 17-12-20 CRISIL A-/Stable CRISIL BB+ /Stable(Issuer Not Cooperating)*
      --   --   --   -- 22-06-20 CRISIL B+ /Stable(Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 57.0 CRISIL A2+   -- 25-03-22 CRISIL A2+ 07-01-21 CRISIL A2+ 17-12-20 CRISIL A2+ CRISIL A4+ (Issuer Not Cooperating)*
      --   --   --   -- 22-06-20 CRISIL A4 (Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
* - Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
 
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Bank Guarantee 32 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Bank Guarantee 5 Indian Bank CRISIL A2+
Bank Guarantee 20 Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Cash Credit 12 Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Cash Credit 45 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Cash Credit 12 Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Cash Credit 35 Indian Bank CRISIL A-/Positive
Cash Credit 50 Citi Bank CRISIL A-/Positive
Cash Credit 20 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive

This Annexure has been updated on 03-Feb-2023 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 03-Feb-2023 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
Assessing Information Adequacy Risk
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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