Rating Rationale
April 26, 2019 | Mumbai
Astra Microwave Products Limited
Long-term rating downgraded to 'CRISIL A/Stable' ; NCD withdrawn 
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.459.26 Crore (Reduced from Rs.587.71 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL A/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A+/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.50 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL A/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A+/Stable'; Rating Withdrawn)
Rs.20 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities and non convertible debentures of Astra Microwave Products Ltd (AMPL; part of the AMPL group) to 'CRISIL A/Stable' from 'CRISIL A+/Stable', while reaffirming its commercial paper and short-term rating at 'CRISIL A1'. CRISIL has also withdrawn its ratings on term loan of Rs.8.1 crore which has been repaid, the redeemed non-convertible debentures (NCDs) (See Annexure 'Details of Rating Withdrawn' for details), and proposed long-term bank loan facility. The withdrawal is in line with CRISIL's withdrawal policy.
 
The rating downgrade reflects expectation of modest operating performance for the AMPL group, in the near to medium term. While revenue may remain flattish in fiscal 2019, operating margin could be significantly lower than expected. This is primarily due to a change in the product mix, with execution of a higher proportion of low-margin non-defence and export orders, and delay in receipt of defence orders, which fetch a higher margin. As a result, operating margin declined significantly to around 6% for the nine months ended Dec 31, 2018, vis-a-vis ~32% as on March 31, 2018.
 
Weak operating performance has also adversely impacted liquidity, with the unencumbered cash and cash equivalents declining to ~Rs 16 crore as on March 31, 2019, from Rs 155 crore a year before. However, bank limit utilisation was low, averaging 10% over the 12 months ended March 31, 2019.
 
CRISIL has noted the recent changes in the company's board composition. CRISIL will continue to monitor AMPL's business and financial policies. Any material deviation will be a key rating sensitivity factor.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the AMPL group's established market position, strong customer relationships, healthy order pipeline and comfortable financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by large working capital requirement, exposure to inherent risks in tender-based business, and revenue concentration in the defence sector.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of AMPL and Bhavyabhanu Electronics Pvt Ltd. The two companies, together referred to as the AMPL group, are under a common ownership and management, and have strong business synergies.

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, supported by strong in-house capability in microwave radio-frequency (RF) applications domain and strong customer relationships: The group derives its core business strength from its in-house capability to provide customised microwave RF solutions. It has four state-of-the-art facilities in and around Hyderabad, with research and development (R&D) capabilities for microwave RF applications, test equipment, and environment chambers for space applications. It has set up an R&D facility at Bengaluru, to manufacture radars. Over the years, the group has diversified its business portfolio by providing microwave applications in the space and civil telecommunication segments.
 
The group has longstanding relationships with customers, and is recognised as a qualified vendor by defence research establishments. It is also acknowledged by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its space applications testing laboratories.
 
* Healthy order pipeline providing good revenue visibility: As of March 2019, the group had orders worth Rs 1,000 crore, to be executed over 18-24 months. Orders are skewed more towards exports, and lumpiness in order inflow, primarily from defence public sector entities, also leads to volatility in sales. Pace of order inflow will, therefore, be a key monitorable. Technological joint ventures (JVs) with firms based in Israel and Canada could provide potential upside to revenue in the long term. However, investment in JVs, flow of orders and development of required technology, are key monitorables.
 
* Comfortable financial risk profile: The AMPL group has a prudent capital structure and healthy debt protection metrics. As on March 31, 2019, gearing and total outside liability to tangible networth ratio are estimated below 0.5 time. Net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios are estimated at 108% and 5 times, respectively, for fiscal 2019 vis-Ã''' -vis 82% and 8 times, respectively, in fiscal 2018.
 
Weaknesses:
* Susceptibility to risks inherent in tender-based business, and long gestation period for projects: The AMPL group's business depends on success in bidding for tenders invited by defence PSUs and research establishments. Defence research establishments, such as DRDO, invite tenders from qualified vendors for their R&D requirement, and commence bulk production on successful completion of product development. Long-term revenue visibility is primarily driven by the success of R&D projects at DRDO and the subsequent mass production of products.
 
* Large working capital requirement: Gross current assets are high, ranging from 330 to 340 days, on account of stretched receivables and sizeable inventory. The group primarily caters to domestic defence research establishments that usually have a long production cycle, with large working capital requirement, compared to overseas orders. Realisation of revenue pertaining to domestic orders is slower. The group has to maintain sizeable inventory to cater to all segments, as products are customised, and thus, vary across segments.
 
* Revenue concentration in defence sector with more dependence on high margin products
The AMPL group's revenue is concentrated in the defence sector, and operating margin is primarily driven by certain high-margin products. Most defence projects are initiated, designed, and developed by DRDO, and driven by the government's policies and priorities. Thus, as short-term market dynamics are not within the group's control, it faces the risk of uncertainty in revenue. In fiscal 2018, AMPL had sales of about 76%, which had a gross margin of 70% and above, whereas in the current period (nine months ended Dec. 2018), this sales ratio was only 27%. Further, share of revenue from the defence segment declined to 51% in nine months ended Dec. 2018, from 84% in fiscal 2018.
Liquidity

Liquidity remains adequate, driven by expected cash accrual of over Rs 30 crore per annum in fiscals 2020 and 2021, and unencumbered cash and cash equivalents of around Rs 16 crore as of March 31, 2019, against minimal long-term debt in fiscals 2020 and 2021, and no significant capex plans. The fund-based limit of Rs 95 crore was utilised only at an average 10% over the 12 months ended March 31, 2019. Sustenance of liquidity remains a key monitorable.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the AMPL group will continue to benefit from its established market position. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if significant improvement in revenue and profitability, and efficient working capital management strengthen the financial risk profile, especially liquidity. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if lower profitability, large working capital requirement or sizeable debt-funded capital expenditure, weakens key credit metrics.

About the Group

AMPL was incorporated as a private limited company in 1991, and was reconstituted as a public limited company in 1993. It is promoted by Mr P A Chitrakar, Ms C Pramelamma, and Mr B Malla Reddy. The company designs, develops, and manufactures customised sub-systems and components for microwave communication systems used in the defence, space, and telecommunication sectors.
 
In fiscal 2014, AMPL floated 100% owned Bhavyabhanu Electronics Pvt Ltd, as a captive supplier of raw material, for AMPL's overseas orders.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs Cr. 363 407
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr. 61 54
PAT Margin % 16.8 13.3
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.19 0.30
Interest coverage Times 8.03 7.04

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 Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 20.00 CRISIL A1
NA Term Loan 1 NA NA Jul-2018 8.10 Withdrawn
NA Term Loan 2 NA NA Sept-2020 14.26 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 95.0 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 350.0 CRISIL A1
NA Proposed Long-Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 120.35 Withdrawn
 
Annexure - Details of Rating Withdrawn
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity Date Issue Size
(Rs.Cr)
INE386C07018 Non-Convertible Debentures 29-Oct-15 10.58 29-Oct-18 50
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Entities consolidated Extent of consolidation
Bhavyabhanu Electronics Pvt Ltd Full
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  20.00  CRISIL A1      24-04-18  CRISIL A1  25-04-17  CRISIL A1  20-04-16  CRISIL A1  CRISIL A1 
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  0.00
25-04-19 
Withdrawn      24-04-18  CRISIL A+/Stable  25-04-17  CRISIL A+/Stable  20-04-16  CRISIL A+/Stable  CRISIL A+/Stable 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  109.26  CRISIL A/Stable      24-04-18  CRISIL A+/Stable  25-04-17  CRISIL A+/Stable  20-04-16  CRISIL A+/Stable  CRISIL A+/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  350.00  CRISIL A1      24-04-18  CRISIL A1  25-04-17  CRISIL A1  20-04-16  CRISIL A1  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
Bank Guarantee 350 CRISIL A1 Bank Guarantee# 385 CRISIL A1
Cash Credit 95 CRISIL A/Stable Cash Credit* 125 CRISIL A+/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 120.35 Withdrawn Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 37.61 CRISIL A+/Stable
Term Loan 14.26 CRISIL A/Stable Term Loan 40.1 CRISIL A+/Stable
Term Loan 8.1 Withdrawn -- 0 --
Total 587.71 -- Total 587.71 --
*Includes a sub-limit of Rs 4.25 crore for letter of credit
#Includes a sub-limit of Rs 10.0 crore for letter of 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
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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