Rating Rationale
March 09, 2020 | Mumbai
ASI Industries Limited
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BB+/CRISIL A4+'; continues on 'Watch Negative' 
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.130 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB+ (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BBB'; Continues on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A3+'; Continues on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications') 
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of ASI Industries Limited (ASIL; part of the ASI group) to 'CRISIL BB+/CRISIL A4+' from 'CRISIL BBB/CRISIL A3+'. The ratings continue to be on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications'.
 
CRISIL had placed its ratings on watch on December 06, 2019, following the announcement by ASIL on November 28, 2019, about a direction received from the department of mining and geology, Ramganjmandi, Kota, Rajasthan, for closure of mining activity alleging irregularities in environmental rules. The mining activity was estimated to get operational by January 2020. However the mining activity still closed. CRISIL is in discussion with the management and will take a final rating action once there is more clarity on the overall impact of the directive on the company's business and financial risk profiles.

The downgrade reflects the expected deterioration in business risk profile, which shall impact liquidity over the medium term. Operating income estimated to decline on account of fall in contribution from the mining business. Due to the disturbance in operations following the directive from the department of mining and geology, the group's revenue is expected to remain constrained, which will impact operating margin as well as ability to generate net cash accrual over the medium term. As the group has already initiated a large debt-funded capital expenditure (capex), the cushion between accrual and debt obligation is expected to be impacted over the medium term. Hence, liquidity is expected to remain constrained.

The ratings reflect the ASI group's established market position supported by its promoters' extensive experience in the stone mining and marketing industry, and above-average financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by working capital-intensive operations and susceptibility to changes in government regulations and to project-related risks.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of ASIL with its wholly owned subsidiaries, Al Rawasi Rock and Aggregates LLC (RRA) and ASI Global Ltd (ASIGL). These entities are together referred to as the ASI group.

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: The promoters have been in the Kota stone-mining business for the past three decades, resulting in established relationships with over 1,000 diversified customers. The group is among the largest miners of Kota stone in India.

* Above-average financial risk profile: As on March 31, 2019, networth was healthy at Rs 148 crore (Rs 129 crore in the previous fiscal), while total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio was moderate at 1.9 times. Interest coverage ratio was strong at 4.7 times for fiscal 2019.

Weaknesses
* Working capital-intensive operations: Gross current assets were high at 255 days due to receivables of 174 days, as on March 31, 2019. However, diversified customers along with advances from dealers provide insulation against receivables risk.

* Susceptibility to changes in government regulations: The mining industry in India is highly regulated and plagued by irregularities. However, the group's business till now has not been significantly affected by changes in regulations, although the current NGT ban on mining could impact the group's business over the medium term.

* Exposure to project-related risks: The group is setting up a plant for engineered stone with an installed capacity of 600,000 square metre per annum, entailing capex of about Rs 200 crore. The proposed project is expected to be completed in 15 months. The capex is likely to be funded through term loan/capex letter of credit of Rs 130-135 crore and the remaining through internal cash accrual. Timely implementation of the proposed project, stabilisation of operations, and commensurate ramp-up of sales will remain critical to achieve growth in revenue and profitability, and hence, will be monitored closely.
Liquidity Stretched

Liquidity is supported by moderate bank limit utilisation, at an average of 78% over the six months through August 2019. Net cash accrual of around Rs 358 million was sufficient to meet debt obligation of Rs. 24.2 crore in fiscal 2019. The company receives funding support from the promoters in the form of unsecured loans (Rs 47.8 crore as on March 31, 2019).

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
* Improvement in operating income by more than 30% year-on-year in fiscal 2020
* Significant increase in cash accrual

Downward Factors
* Decline in operating income by more than 15% year-on-year in fiscal 2019
* Fall in operating profitability from fiscal 2019 level
* Larger-than-expected debt-funded capex weakening financial risk profile
* Lower cushion between accrual and debt obligation leading to pressure on liquidity.

About the Company

Established in 1945 in Kota by members of Jatia family, ASIL mines natural stone (Kota stone) on its 10 square kilometre land in Ramganj Mandi, Rajasthan. The company also generates wind power and trades in steel coils and fabrics.
 
RRA produces hard limestone rock products, which it supplies to various companies in the infrastructure, steel, cement, and real estate sectors in Dubai and in India.
 
ASIGL, based in Mauritius, acts as a marketing arm in the Mauritius market.

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 260.05 314.2
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 22.97 19.2
PAT Margin % 8.8 6.1
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.5 1.4
Interest coverage Times 4.7 4.4

Status of non cooperation with previous CRA
ASIL has not cooperated with Credit Analysis & Research Ltd, which has marked it as 'non-cooperative' via a rationale dated November 22, 2019. The reason provided by the credit rating agency (CRA) is non-furnishing of information by ASIL.

ASIL has not cooperated with Credit Analysis & Research Ltd, which has marked it as 'non-cooperative' via a rationale dated June 27, 2019. The reason provided by the CRA is non-furnishing of information by ASIL.

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 42 CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative
NA External Commercial Borrowings NA NA May-2023 37.85 CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative
NA Term Loan NA NA Jun-2024 21.07 CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 4.08 CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 25 CRISIL A4+/Watch Negative
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Names of entities consolidated Extent of consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
ASI Industries Limited Full Parent company, all together referred to as the ASI group
Al Rawasi Rock and Aggregates LLC (RRA) Full Wholly owned subsidiary of ASI Industries Limited
ASI Global Ltd (ASIGL) Full Wholly owned subsidiary of ASI Industries Limited
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  105.00  CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative      06-12-19  CRISIL BBB/Watch Negative  30-11-18  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  31-10-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  -- 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  25.00  CRISIL A4+/Watch Negative      06-12-19  CRISIL A3+/Watch Negative  30-11-18  CRISIL A2  31-10-17  CRISIL A2  -- 
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 42 CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative Cash Credit 42 CRISIL BBB/Watch Negative
External Commercial Borrowings 37.85 CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative External Commercial Borrowings 37.85 CRISIL BBB/Watch Negative
Letter of Credit 25 CRISIL A4+/Watch Negative Letter of Credit 25 CRISIL A3+/Watch Negative
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4.08 CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4.08 CRISIL BBB/Watch Negative
Term Loan 21.07 CRISIL BB+/Watch Negative Term Loan 21.07 CRISIL BBB/Watch Negative
Total 130 -- Total 130 --
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 Mining Industry
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Nitin Kansal
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2154
nitin.kansal@crisil.com


Himank Sharma
Associate Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2152
Himank.Sharma@crisil.com


Kishan Gupta
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2177
Kishan.Gupta@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. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are 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

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets 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 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
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 forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of 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 providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL 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 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 or otherwise 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 Rating 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 assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL 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 or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL 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 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 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. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis 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 web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING 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 a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL