Rating Rationale
June 11, 2018 | Mumbai
Apollo Tyres Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1600 Crore (Reduced from Rs.1725 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.100 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AA+/Stable (Withdrawn)
Rs.450 Crore Non Convertible Debentures  CRISIL AA+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.300 Crore Non Convertible Debentures  CRISIL AA+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.325 Crore Non Convertible Debentures  CRISIL AA+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.900 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has withdrawn its rating on the Rs 100 crore non-convertible debentures of Apollo Tyres Limited (Apollo) on receipt of a request from Apollo and confirmation of redemption from the debenture trustee. CRISIL has also withdrawn its ratings on Rs 125 crore bank loan facility following a request from the client and on receipt of a 'no dues certificate' from the banker. The rating action is in line with CRISIL's policy of withdrawal of credit ratings. The ratings on the remaining bank facilities and debt instruments have been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+'.

The ratings continue to reflect a strong financial risk profile, despite large capital expenditure (capex) plans as well as a strong business risk profile, driven by a sustained market position in the domestic and European markets along with a diversified revenue profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to cyclicality in the tyre industry, to volatility in raw material prices, and to implementation risks in greenfield capacity expansions.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Apollo and all its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Apollo Vredestein BV (Vredestein) and Apollo [Mauritius] Holdings Pvt Ltd.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Strong position in the domestic tyre industry, with leading market share in the truck and bus (T&B) segment: The company is the leading manufacturer of radial tyres for the domestic T&B segment (over 25% market share), and has established its position in the light commercial vehicles (LCV), tractors, and passenger car radial (PCR) segments as well. A pan-India distribution network, comprising 5,000 dealerships, including exclusive outlets that operate under the Apollo brand, further strengthen its market position. Despite intense competition, the company should be able to sustain a healthy market share, given its leadership position, significant ramp-up in radial tyre capacity at the Chennai plant, strong operating efficiencies, and a wide distribution network.

* Diversified revenue profile, driven by a presence in different geographies and segments: Operations are spread across India and Europe, and the product mix is diversified. Besides a strong foothold in the domestic T&B segment, the company also has presence in the European PCR market through Vredestein. In fiscal 2018, Indian operations accounted for around 60% of the consolidated revenue, while Vredestein operations accounted for 26%. The remaining contribution came from various subsidiaries in the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and South Africa. In terms of segmental diversity, the replacement market accounts for a significant portion of the consolidated revenue, thereby providing revenue stability. This diversity is expected to continue to protect revenue and profitability from unfavourable conditions in any particular segment or geography and add stability to cash flows over the medium term.

* Strong financial risk profile, despite large capex plans: The consolidated gearing was low at about 0.5 time as on March 31, 2018, and the interest coverage ratio high at 11 times for fiscal 2018. Furthermore, liquidity was healthy, driven by a large consolidated cash and bank balance of about Rs 1,900 crore as on March 31, 2018.  The substantial ongoing capex of Rs 6,200 crore over fiscals 2018-20, includes the recently announced Rs 1,800 crore capex in Andhra Pradesh. Nonetheless, given the healthy cash accrual over this period and qualified institutional placement of Rs 1,500 crore in October 2017, the gearing should remain below 0.5 time and debt protection metrics strong, over the medium term.  The qualified institutional placement executed in October 2017, led to an equity inflow of Rs 1,500 crore. Timely completion and stabilisation of the ongoing expansion, and any debt-funded inorganic expansion or larger-than-expected capex will remain key rating sensitivity factors.

Weaknesses:
* Exposure to cyclicality in the tyre industry and vulnerability to volatility in raw material prices: Revenue and profitability remain vulnerable to the cyclicality in the tyre industry, primarily driven by fluctuating demand from end-user CV players, especially in the T&B segment. Demand in the tyre industry is also dependent on economic growth and infrastructure development. Furthermore, raw material costs account for more than 70% of the operating costs. While the price of natural rubber is dependent on global demand, area under cultivation, and yield factor, the prices of carbon black and other materials are based on crude oil prices. The operating margin reduced to 11.1% in fiscal 2018 from 14.3% and 16.9% in fiscals 2017 and 2016, respectively, due to a sharp uptick in rubber prices. Operating performance is likely to remain susceptible to cyclicality in the tyre industry and volatility in raw material prices over the medium term.

* Implementation risk in the ongoing expansion: The company is undertaking large capacity expansion of around Rs 8,000 crore across Chennai, Andhra Pradesh, and Hungary, half of which is expected to be funded through debt. This exposes it to risks related to project implementation, particularly in Hungary, which is a new geography for the company. However, progress of both Indian and European expansion is as per schedule, which mitigates these risks to a large extent. Timely commissioning and stabilisation of these capacities will be closely monitored.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Apollo is likely to maintain its healthy operating performance, leading to a continued strong financial risk profile despite large capex plans, over the medium term.

Upside scenario:
* Significant and sustainable increase in the operating margin
* Stabilisation of newer capacities ahead of schedule, leading to substantial improvement in the financial risk profile

Downside scenario:
* A significant decline in the operating margin
* Large, debt-funded acquisition, weakening of the capital structure
* Significant time and cost overruns in the expansion project.

About the Company

Set up in 1972, Apollo manufactures automotive bias and radial tyres, and tubes. It has plants in Kochi, Vadodara, Pune, and Chennai. The product profile includes prominent tyre brands in the T&B, light truck, passenger car, and farm vehicle segments in India, catering to both original equipment manufacturers and the replacement market. In February 2013, the company sold its South African operations to Sumitomo Tire for USD 60 million.

In May 2009, Apollo acquired Vredestein, a niche player in the premium, high-speed PCR tyre segment in Europe. Vredestein was set up in 1946 as a joint venture between Vredestein Banden BV and BF Goodrich Tires. In 1977, the Dutch government acquired 51% stake in the company, which was later acquired by Amtel NV in 2005. Vredestein has a manufacturing facility in Enschede, near Amsterdam (The Netherlands), with capacity of 5.5 million tyres per annum. The company owns two brands, Vredestein (premium) and Maloya (mid-range). In fiscal 2016, Apollo acquired, Reifencom GmbH, a distributor which operates 37 stores in Germany, for EUR 45.6 million.

Key Financial Indicators (CRISIL adjusted numbers)
Particulars Unit 2018* 2017
Revenue Rs crore 14674 13063
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 724 1099
PAT margin % 4.88 8.34
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth Times 0.6 0.6
Interest coverage Times 10.7 17.2
*Provisional

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 1000.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA Long-term loan NA NA 27-Sep-17 50.0 Withdrawn
INE438A07086 Non-convertible debentures 30-May-16 8.65% 30-Apr-24 105.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
INE438A07094 Non-convertible debentures 30-May-16 8.65% 30-Apr-25 105.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
INE438A07102 Non-convertible debentures 30-May-16 8.65% 30-Apr-26 115.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
INE438A07110 Non-convertible debentures 21-Oct-16 7.50% 21-Oct-21 105.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
INE438A07128 Non-convertible debentures 21-Oct-16 7.50% 21-Oct-22 105.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
INE438A07136 Non-convertible debentures 21-Oct-16 7.50% 21-Oct-23 90.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
INE438A07144 Non-convertible debentures 31-May-17 7.80% 29-Apr-22 150.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
INE438A07151 Non-convertible debentures 31-May-17 7.80% 28-Apr-23 150.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
INE438A07169 Non-convertible debentures 31-May-17 7.80% 30-Apr-24 150.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA Commercial paper NA NA 7-365 days 900.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Letter of credit^ NA NA NA 600.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed long-term bank loan facility NA NA NA 75.0 Withdrawn
**Interchangeable with working capital demand loan/foreign currency non-repatriable(B)/buyer's credit/overdraft/foreign bill discounting/export bill receivables
^Interchangeable with bank guarantee/letter of undertaking or acceptances for buyer's credit/packing credit
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  900.00  CRISIL A1+  30-05-18  CRISIL A1+  24-05-17  CRISIL A1+  12-10-16  CRISIL A1+  22-12-15  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                09-05-16  CRISIL A1+  09-12-15  CRISIL A1+   
                    21-04-15  CRISIL A1+   
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  1075.00
31-05-18 
CRISIL AA+/Stable  30-05-18  CRISIL AA+/Stable  24-05-17  CRISIL AA+/Stable  12-10-16  CRISIL AA+/Stable  22-12-15  CRISIL AA+/Stable  CRISIL AA/Stable 
                09-05-16  CRISIL AA+/Stable  09-12-15  CRISIL AA+/Stable   
                    21-04-15  CRISIL AA/Positive   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1000.00  CRISIL AA+/Stable  30-05-18  CRISIL AA+/Stable  24-05-17  CRISIL AA+/Stable  12-10-16  CRISIL AA+/Stable  22-12-15  CRISIL AA+/Stable  CRISIL AA/Stable 
                09-05-16  CRISIL AA+/Stable  09-12-15  CRISIL AA+/Stable   
                    21-04-15  CRISIL AA/Positive   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  600.00  CRISIL A1+  30-05-18  CRISIL A1+  24-05-17  CRISIL A1+  12-10-16  CRISIL A1+  22-12-15  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                09-05-16  CRISIL A1+  09-12-15  CRISIL A1+   
                    21-04-15  CRISIL A1+   
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** 1000 CRISIL AA+/Stable Cash Credit** 1000 CRISIL AA+/Stable
Letter of Credit^ 600 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit^ 600 CRISIL A1+
Long Term Loan 50 Withdrawn Long Term Loan 50 CRISIL AA+/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 75 Withdrawn Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 75 CRISIL AA+/Stable
Total 1725 -- Total 1725 --
**Interchangeable with working capital demand loan/foreign currency non-repatriable(B)/buyer's credit/overdraft/foreign bill discounting/export bill receivables
^Interchangeable with bank guarantee/letter of undertaking or acceptances for buyer's credit/packing credit
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 Auto Component Suppliers
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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