Rating Rationale
July 21, 2021 | Mumbai
Affordable Robotic and Automation Limited
Long-term rating downgraded to 'CRISIL BB-/Negative'; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.25 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BB-/Negative (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BB/Stable')
Short Term RatingCRISIL A4+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has downgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Affordable Robotic and Automation Limited (ARAPL) to 'CRISIL BB-/Negative' from 'CRISIL BB/Stable’ and reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL A4+’ rating on the short-term facility.

 

The downgrade factors in the company’s subdued operating performance in fiscal 2021 and the resultant pressure on liquidity. Revenue fell to Rs 56.27 crore in fiscal 2021 from Rs 87 crore in the previous fiscal. The operating margin was also severely impacted leading to losses for the fiscal. Gross current assets (GCAs) increased to around 540 days as on March 31, 2021, from 361 days a year earlier owing to delay in payments by customers and as a majority of the revenue was booked in the fourth quarter. Inventory was also high at 220 days as on March 31, 2021. Receivables remain stretched in the current fiscal as well. The pressure on liquidity is indicated by almost full utilisation of bank lines.

 

Improvement in operating performance and working capital intensity remains critical and will be closely monitored.

 

The ratings reflect the extensive experience of the promoter in the industrial automation industry and the company’s moderate capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by its large working capital requirement and susceptibility to cyclicality in the automotive industry.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Extensive experience of the promoter: The promoter’s experience of over a decade in the industrial automation business and established relationships with key customers should continue to support the business.

 

  • Moderate capital structure: Networth was moderate at Rs 45.5 crore and gearing at 0.56 time as on March 31, 2021. The networth has eroded from Rs 49.02 crore a year earlier because of losses. The gearing is expected to remain stable over the medium term in the absence of any large capital expenditure. Interest coverage was subdued in fiscal 2021 due to losses.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Large working capital requirement: The company had GCAs of over 500 days as on March 31, 2021, as a significant stretch in receivables and large inventory pushed the GCAs higher than the historical level. Controlled working capital management remains critical.

 

  • Susceptibility to cyclicality in the automotive industry: The company primarily supplies robotics/automated welding lines and precision components to the automotive industry. The slowdown in the end user industry because of the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the company’s operating performance. Recovery in performance amid further waves of the pandemic remains to be seen. CRISIL Ratings believes ARAPL’s business risk profile will remain vulnerable to cyclicality of the automotive industry.

Liquidity: Stretched

Bank limit utilisation was high at 98% on average over the 12 months through April 2021. The stretch in the working capital intensity has augmented the pressure on cash accrual which was suppressed in fiscal 2021 due to losses. With revival in performance, the accrual is expected to increase to Rs 2.5-3.0 crore per annum over the medium term and will be sufficient to meet yearly debt obligation of Rs 0.6-0.8 crore over the medium term. Current ratio was adequate around 1.5 time as on March 31, 2021. Effective working capital management, mainly efficient collection of receivables, remains critical to cushion the liquidity.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL Ratings believes ARAPL’s credit profile will continue to be constrained by its large working capital requirement and the consequent weak liquidity.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward factors

  • Topline sustained over Rs 75 crore along with improved operating margin leading to higher cash accrual
  • Efficient working capital management and improved liquidity

 

Downward factors

  • Drop in revenue and operating margin less than 5%
  • Stretch in the working capital cycle further constraining liquidity

About the Company

Incorporated in 2009 and based in Pune, ARAPL is promoted by Mr Milind Padole. It primarily provides automation solutions for welding lines using robotics and related designing services. It also provides material handling automation services and has entered the automated car parking systems business.

Key Financial Indicators

Particulars

Unit

2021

2020

Revenue

Rs crore

56.27

86.92

Profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

-3.53

1.85

PAT margin

%

-6.27

2.1

Adjusted gearing

Times

0.56

0.49

Interest coverage

Times

0.18

3.61

 

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)

ISIN

Name of instrument

Date of allotment

Coupon
rate (%)

Maturity date

Issue size
(Rs crore)

Complexity Levels

Rating assigned 

with outlook

NA

Bank Guarantee

NA

NA

NA

5

NA

CRISIL A4+

NA

Cash Credit

NA

NA

NA

14

NA

CRISIL BB-/Negative

NA

Proposed Bank Guarantee

NA

NA

NA

1

NA

CRISIL BB-/Negative

NA

Proposed Cash Credit Limit

NA

NA

NA

5

NA

CRISIL BB-/Negative

 

Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2021 (History) 2020  2019  2018  Start of 2018
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 19.0 CRISIL BB-/Negative   -- 20-07-20 CRISIL BB/Stable 04-12-19 CRISIL BB/Stable 14-06-18 CRISIL BB+/Stable CRISIL BB-/Stable
      --   --   -- 08-01-19 CRISIL BB+/Stable   -- --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST/LT 6.0 CRISIL A4+ / CRISIL BB-/Negative   -- 20-07-20 CRISIL BB/Stable / CRISIL A4+ 04-12-19 CRISIL BB/Stable / CRISIL A4+ 14-06-18 CRISIL A4+ CRISIL A4+
      --   --   -- 08-01-19 CRISIL BB+/Stable / CRISIL A4+   -- --
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
Bank Guarantee 5 CRISIL A4+ Bank Guarantee 5 CRISIL A4+
Cash Credit 14 CRISIL BB-/Negative Cash Credit 12 CRISIL BB/Stable
Proposed Bank Guarantee 1 CRISIL BB-/Negative Proposed Bank Guarantee 1 CRISIL BB/Stable
Proposed Cash Credit Limit 5 CRISIL BB-/Negative Proposed Cash Credit Limit 7 CRISIL BB/Stable
Total 25 - Total 25 -
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
Rating Criteria for Engineering Sector
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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