Rating Rationale
February 21, 2018 | Mumbai
Austin Engineering Company Limited
Long-term rating downgraded to 'CRISIL BB/Negative' ; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.22 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB/Negative (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BB+/Negative')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (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 of Austin Engineering Company Ltd (AECL; part of the AECL group) to 'CRISIL BB/Negative' from 'CRISIL BB+/Negative', and reaffirmed the company's short-term bank facility at 'CRISIL A4+'.
 
The downgrade reflects weakening of the credit profile, led by a sharp drop in profitability and constrained topline. For the first three quarters of fiscal 2018, the company registered revenue of Rs 55.52 crore and negative EBIDTA of 1.9%, resulting in net loss of Rs 2 crore as of December 2017, similar to results of December 2016. Slowdown in global markets has adversely affected performance, leading to operating and cash losses in fiscals 2017 and 2018. However, financial risk profile is aided by the moderate capital structure. Recovery in profitability and turnover will be a key rating sensitivity factor over the medium term.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of AECL and its subsidiary, Accurate Engineering Inc (AEI). This is primarily because the entities, together referred to as the AECL group, have operational synergies, wherein AEI acts as a marketing arm for AECL in the US.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Moderate capital structure: Networth and gearing stood at Rs 51 crore and 0.15 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2017. Liquidity is moderate, with moderate bank limit utilisation and current ratio in excess of 2 times as on March 31, 2017.
 
* Established market position in the industrial bearings segment: The group manufactures customised industrial bearings for numerous industries, and mainly caters to the non-automotive sector. Benefits from an established track record of over two decades and healthy relationships with customers, will continue.
 
Weakness
* Below-average debt protection metrics: Operating losses in fiscal 2017 constrained debt protection metrics, with the interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios in negative , vis-Ã'' -vis 0.43 and negative 0.03 time, respectively, in the previous fiscal.
 
* Exposure to volatility in raw material prices and forex rates, and limited bargaining power with customers: Intense competition limits the group's ability to pass on changes in raw material price to customers, and thus, constrains profitability. Furthermore, bulk of revenue comes from exports, and with forex risk left unhedged, there is significant exposure to fluctuations in forex rates.
 
* Working capital intensity in operations: Gross current assets days were high at 379 days as on March 31, 2017, driven by large inventory and receivables of over 230 and 102 days, respectively.
Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes AECL's business risk profile will remain under pressure due to decline in demand from the overseas market and low order pipeline in the domestic market. The ratings may be further downgraded in case of stagnant revenue, stretched working capital cycle and a negative EBIDTA margin. The outlook may be revised to 'Stable' in case of significant growth in revenue and operating margin.

About the Group

Established in 1985, the AECL group manufactures anti-friction bearings, which it markets under its own brand. Products are used across industrial segments, such as power, mining, steel, cement, defence, and transportation. Manufacturing plants are at Junagadh.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs crore 71.63 71.74
Profit after tax Rs crore (2.74) (1.21)
PAT margins % (3.8) (1.6)
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.15 0.17
Interest coverage Times (1.08) 0.13

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 crore)
Rating Assigned
with Outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 2.5 CRISIL A4+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 13.9 CRISIL BB/Negative
NA Credit Limit Under Gold Card NA NA NA 1.6 CRISIL BB/Negative
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 4.0 CRISIL BB/Negative
 
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  19.5  CRISIL BB/Negative    No Rating Change  30-10-17  CRISIL BB+/Negative  12-08-16  CRISIL BBB-/Negative  05-02-15  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ CRISIL A3+  CRISIL BBB/Negative/ CRISIL A3+ 
            07-07-17  CRISIL BB+/Stable  01-02-16  CRISIL BBB/Negative/ CRISIL A3+       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  2.5  CRISIL A4+    No Rating Change  07-07-17  CRISIL A4+  12-08-16  CRISIL A3    No Rating Change  CRISIL A3+ 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee 2.5 CRISIL A4+ Bank Guarantee 2.5 CRISIL A4+
Cash Credit 13.9 CRISIL BB/Negative Cash Credit 13.9 CRISIL BB+/Negative
Credit Limit Under Gold Card 1.6 CRISIL BB/Negative Credit Limit Under Gold Card 1.6 CRISIL BB+/Negative
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4 CRISIL BB/Negative Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4 CRISIL BB+/Negative
Total 22 -- Total 22 --
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 Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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