Rating Rationale
August 02, 2024 | Mumbai
A-1 Fence Products Company Private Limited
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BBB-/Negative/CRISIL A3'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.120 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BBB-/Negative (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BBB/Stable')
Short Term RatingCRISIL A3 (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A3+')
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 downgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of A-1 Fence Products Company Pvt Ltd (AFPCPL) to CRISIL BBB-/Negative/CRISIL A3 from ‘CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+.

 

The rating action reflects the stretched working capital cycle due to high debtors leading to higher dependence on external borrowings. While revenues have increased to Rs 307 crores in fiscal 2024, debtors have remained high at 130 to 140 days leading to high bank limit utilisation on a sustained basis. Timely realisation of debtors and sufficient cushion in bank limits to working capital requirements amid increased scale of operations remains a key monitorable over the medium term.

 

The ratings reflect the extensive experience of the promoters of AFPCPL in the fencing products industry and its established relationships with customers. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to fluctuations in raw material prices and foreign exchange (forex) rates, and large working capital requirement

Analytical Approach

Of the total unsecured loans of Rs 12.18 crore as on March 31, 2024, Rs. 8 crore has been treated as neither debt nor equity as they are expected to remain in the business, while the rest are treated as debt

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Extensive experience of the promoters: Industry presence of around three decades has enabled the promoters to develop a strong understanding of market dynamics, establish healthy relationships with customers and suppliers, and provide end-to-end fencing solutions. Portfolios are diverse with continuous addition of products that have varied applications. As a result, revenues have increased to Rs 315 crores in fiscal 2024 from Rs 272 crores last year. The topline is further expected to improve over the medium term.

 

  • Large customer base and wide product basket: AFPCPL has a large clientele base spread across the Middle East, America, Europe and India. Exports account for 60-65% of revenue. The top five customers accounted for ~20% of the topline in fiscal 2024. The company offers a large product basket including a variety of SKUs in perimeter fencing products. Continued addition of products and established customer relationships support repeat orders and should continue to support the business risk profile over the medium term.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices: As cost of procuring key raw material (steel wire) accounts for the bulk of total production expense, even a slight variation in price can drastically impact profitability. Hence, operating margin has been at 4.8%-6.9% over the past four fiscals. Stability in margin will remain a key rating monitorable.

 

  • Large working capital requirement: Gross current assets (GCAs) were estimated at 220-225 days as on March 31, 2024, because of inventory and receivables of 70-80 days and 130-135 days, respectively (as compared to 75 and 123 days respectively as on March 31, 2023). The company bills customers at the time of supply but receives payments on milestone completion, leading to higher debtor cycle. The payments are received from the debtors, but with a delay, due to which, the bank limits highly utilised. Owing to delay in project completion, work-in-progress inventory has increased, leading to higher inventory cycle. Operations may continue to be working capital intensive over the medium term.

Liquidity: Stretched

Expected cash accrual of Rs 8-9 crore for fiscals 2024 and 2025 will be sufficient to meet term debt obligation of Rs 2.5 crore over the medium term. Bank limit utilization averaged at 85% for the 12 months through March 2024. However, the EPC and CC limits are highly utilized. This, given with the stretch in debtors, remains a key monitorable for the future rating action. Cash and bank balance were Rs 8 crore as on March 31, 2024. Unsecured loans from the promoter’s support liquidity. The company does not have any capital expenditure plans in the medium term.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL Ratings believes that continued stretch in working capital cycle will constrain the company’s financial risk profile and liquidity.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward factors

  • Increase in revenue and stable operating margin leading to higher cash accruals
  • Efficiency in working capital cycle, thereby improving liquidity and low bank limit utilization of below 90% on a sustained basis.

 

Downward factors

  • Further stretch in working capital cycle with GCAs of more than 250 days or sustenance of high bank limit utilisation, impacting liquidity
  • Decline in revenue or operating margin leading to lower cash accruals

About the Company

Incorporated in 2008 and promoted by Mr Prabhat Kumar Gupta, Mr Vivek Gupta and Mr Saurabh Gupta, AFPCPL manufactures perimeter fencing products such as barbed wire, chain link systems and accessories, fencing posts, agricultural/farm fencing, and security gates; it also trades in wires. It has a manufacturing unit each in Khopoli (Maharashtra), Umbergaon (Gujarat), and Silvassa (Dadra and Nagar Haveli)

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2023

2022

Operating income

Rs crore

271.99

255.21

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

1.74

0.65

PAT margin

%

0.64

0.25

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

2.07

1.35

Interest coverage

Times

1.74

2.00

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 Issue size (Rs crore) Complexity level Rating
NA Overdraft facility NA NA NA 11 NA CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 5 NA CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 7.5 NA CRISIL A3
NA Post shipment credit NA NA NA 14 NA CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Export packing credit NA NA NA 42 NA CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Working capital demand loan NA NA NA 4 NA CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Bank guarantee NA NA NA 36.5 NA CRISIL A3
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2024 (History) 2023  2022  2021  Start of 2021
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 76.0 CRISIL BBB-/Negative   -- 08-05-23 CRISIL BBB/Stable   -- 23-11-21 CRISIL BBB/Stable CRISIL A3+ / CRISIL BBB/Stable
      --   -- 02-01-23 CRISIL BBB/Stable   -- 29-10-21 CRISIL BB+ /Stable / CRISIL A4+ (Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 44.0 CRISIL A3   -- 08-05-23 CRISIL A3+   -- 23-11-21 CRISIL A3+ CRISIL A3+
      --   -- 02-01-23 CRISIL A3+   -- 29-10-21 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 2.5 State Bank of India CRISIL A3
Bank Guarantee 29 The Karnataka Bank Limited CRISIL A3
Bank Guarantee 5 IndusInd Bank Limited CRISIL A3
Cash Credit 5 IndusInd Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Negative
Export Packing Credit 15 IndusInd Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Negative
Export Packing Credit 27 State Bank of India CRISIL BBB-/Negative
Letter of Credit 2.5 State Bank of India CRISIL A3
Letter of Credit 5 IndusInd Bank Limited CRISIL A3
Overdraft Facility 11 The Karnataka Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Negative
Post Shipment Credit 14 The Karnataka Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Negative
Working Capital Demand Loan 4 The Karnataka Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Negative
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

Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk

Prakruti Jani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
M: +91 98678 68976
B: +91 22 3342 3000
PRAKRUTI.JANI@crisil.com

Rutuja Gaikwad 
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
B: +91 22 3342 3000
Rutuja.Gaikwad@ext-crisil.com


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


Shalaka Singh
Associate Director
CRISIL Ratings Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
Shalaka.Singh@crisil.com


Sanskruti Bhosale
Senior Rating Analyst
CRISIL Ratings Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
Sanskruti.Bhosale@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 Ratings. However, CRISIL Ratings alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites and portals.


About CRISIL Ratings Limited (A subsidiary of CRISIL Limited, an S&P Global Company)

CRISIL Ratings pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, we set 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 33,000 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. We have also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including ratings for municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs).
 
CRISIL Ratings Limited ('CRISIL Ratings') is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited ('CRISIL'). CRISIL Ratings Limited is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI").
 
For more information, visit www.crisilratings.com 

 



About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading, agile and innovative global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. 

It is India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions with a strong track record of growth, culture of innovation, and global footprint.

It has delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 100,000 customers through businesses that operate from India, the US, the UK, Argentina, Poland, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

It is 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


CRISIL PRIVACY NOTICE
 
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 is part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale ('report') provided by CRISIL Ratings Limited ('CRISIL Ratings'). 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 use only within the jurisdiction of India. 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 Ratings provision or intention to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL Ratings does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities. Access or use of this report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL Ratings and the user.

The report is a statement of opinion as on the date it is expressed, and it is not intended to and does not constitute investment advice within meaning of any laws or regulations (including US laws and regulations). The report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe to any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind to enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the report pertains. 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 Ratings and its associates do not act as a fiduciary. The report is based on the information believed to be reliable as of the date it is published, CRISIL Ratings does not perform an audit or undertake due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and/or relies on for preparation of the report. THE REPORT IS PROVIDED ON “AS IS” BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, CRISIL RATINGS DISCLAIMS WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, ERROR-FREE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, NON-INTERRUPTION, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR INTENDED USAGE. In no event shall CRISIL Ratings, its associates, third-party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents 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.

The report is confidential information of CRISIL Ratings and CRISIL Ratings reserves all rights, titles and interest in the rating report. The report shall not be altered, disseminated, distributed, redistributed, licensed, sub-licensed, sold, assigned or published any content thereof or offer access to any third party without prior written consent of CRISIL Ratings.

CRISIL Ratings or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the entity to which the report pertains or its associates. Ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by CRISIL Ratings. 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 Ratings has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for managing conflict of interest. For more detail, please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html.  Public ratings and analysis by CRISIL Ratings, as are required to be disclosed under the Securities and Exchange Board of India regulations (and other applicable regulations, if any), are made available on its websites, www.crisilratings.com and https://www.ratingsanalytica.com (free of charge). CRISIL Ratings shall not have the obligation to update the information in the CRISIL Ratings report following its publication although CRISIL Ratings may disseminate its opinion and/or analysis. Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee.  Rating criteria by CRISIL Ratings are available on the CRISIL Ratings website, www.crisilratings.com. For the latest rating information on any company rated by CRISIL Ratings, you may contact the CRISIL Ratings desk at crisilratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301. 

 

CRISIL Ratings uses the prefix 'PP-MLD' for the ratings of principal-protected market-linked debentures (PPMLD) with effect from November 1, 2011, to comply with the SEBI circular, "Guidelines for Issue and Listing of Structured Products/Market Linked Debentures". The revision in rating symbols for PPMLDs should not be construed as a change in the rating of the subject instrument. For details on CRISIL Ratings' use of 'PP-MLD' please refer to the notes to Rating scale for Debt Instruments and Structured Finance Instruments at the following link: https://www.crisilratings.com/en/home/our-business/ratings/credit-ratings-scale.html