Rating Rationale
January 02, 2020 | Mumbai
Aquanomics Systems Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.11 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities of Aquanomics Systems Limited (ASL) at 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+'.
 
The ratings continue to reflect benefits derived from association with Ion Exchange (India) Ltd (IEIL; rated 'CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+') and ASL's long track record in the water treatment component industry along with established distribution network. These strengths are partially offset by modest scale of operations, low operating margin and its susceptibility to forex risk.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has factored in the support from the IEIL. IEIL has extended corporate guarantee for ASL's bank facilities.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Benefits from association with IEIL: ASL trades majorly in IEIL's products in the domestic and export market along with its own products. Major revenue is generated from resins, which is procured from IEIL. Besides, members on the board of IEIL are also ASL's board members and are actively involved in strategic planning and management. Furthermore, IEIL has extended corporate guarantee for ASL's bank facilities.
 
* Extensive track record and established distribution network: ASL has track record of over a decade in the water treatment and water handling components industry which has enabled the promoters to establish healthy relationship with suppliers and customers. ASL has leased warehouses in Mumbai and Delhi and has built a robust distribution network with presence across India.
 
Weakness:
* Modest scale of operations and low operating margin: Although on increasing trend, company's revenue continues to remain modest (Rs 77 crore for fiscal 2019 against Rs 66.32 crore in fiscal 2018) in the competitive water treatment components segment that has many organised and unorganised players. Although company is expected to report steady revenue growth sustenance of same to remain monitorable.
 
* Low operating margin and its susceptibility to forex risk: Company's operating profit has remained in range of 1.9% - 4.7% over past 4 years ended fiscal 2019 and was low at 2.9% in fiscal 2019. Operating margin is susceptible to product mix as well as forex risks in absence of hedging mechanism.
Liquidity Adequate

Liquidity is adequate indicated by low bank limit utilization of 43.65% for over last 12 months ended November 2019. Cash and bank balance of around Rs. 2.93 crore as on March 31, 2019. Current ratio is moderate at 1.26 times on March 31, 2019. Although accruals are expected to be modest at over Rs 2 crore per annum in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 company has no debt repayment obligations. Further, low gearing and moderate net worth support its financial flexibility, and provides  the financial cushion available in case of any adverse conditions or downturn in the business.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes ASL will continue to benefit over the medium term from its long track record and association with IEIL.
 
Rating Sensitivity Factor
Upward factor
* Sustained revenue growth of 30 percent over the medium term while sustaining operating margin in excess of 4%
* Improvement in financial risk profile especially total outside liabilities to adjusted networth
* Improvement in credit profile of IEIL
 
Downward factors
* Fall in revenue or operating profits resulting in accruals of lower than 1.5 Cr on sustained basis
* Stretch in working capital cycle or debt funded capex or higher than expected dividend impacting financial risk profile particularly liquidity
* Weakening of IEPL's credit risk profile

About the Company

Incorporated in 1994 as a closely held public limited company, ASL is promoted by IEIL (48.42% stake), Rockmen Merchants Ltd (35.24%), Mr. Sanjay Sapra (9.47%), and others. The company trades in membranes, pumps, pressure vessels, valves, resins, and chemicals used in water handling and waste water treatment plants.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 77.12 66.44
Reported profit after tax Rs crore 1.19 1.21
PAT margins % 1.5 1.8
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.00 0.63
Interest coverage Times 4.37 4.94

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 4.00 CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 7.00 CRISIL A3+
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  4.00  CRISIL BBB/Stable          26-11-18  CRISIL BBB/Stable  22-09-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable  CRISIL BBB-/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  7.00  CRISIL A3+          26-11-18  CRISIL A3+  22-09-17  CRISIL A3+  CRISIL A3 
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 4 CRISIL BBB/Stable Cash Credit 4 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Letter of Credit 7 CRISIL A3+ Letter of Credit 7 CRISIL A3+
Total 11 -- Total 11 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Criteria for rating trading companies
Rating Criteria for Engineering Sector
Rating Criteria for Retailing Industry
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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