Rating Rationale
December 08, 2020 | Mumbai
BLR Logistiks India Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.94.5 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BBB-/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A3 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long-term bank facilities of BLR Logistiks India Limited (BLR) to 'Positive' from 'Stable' while reaffirming the rating at 'CRISIL BBB-'. The rating on the short-term bank facility has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A3'.
 
The revision in outlook reflects improvement expected in the business risk profile of BLR over the medium term. Revenue was Rs 384 crore in fiscal 2020 and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin improved to 7.3% from 4.6% in fiscal 2019, driven by improved profitability in the transportation segment, wherein the company has been focusing on catering to EBITDA-accretive sub-segments such as chemicals, glass and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
 
For the first half of fiscal 2021, revenue was stable at Rs 143 crore, while the EBITDA margin further improved to 9.5%, as against Rs 177 crore and 6.7%, respectively, in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. Higher contribution from, and improved profitability in, the warehousing segment resulting from increased demand for warehouses during the lockdown, sustenance of profitability in the transportation segment and other cost rationalization steps taken by the company aided the operating margin. Sustenance of operating profitability will be a key monitorable.
 
The ratings continue to reflect BLR's experienced management, established position in the transportation and logistics sector, and healthy financial risk profile driven by a comfortable capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility of the operating margin to volatility in input cost, exposure to intense competition in the road-freight industry and large working capital requirement.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Established market position and promoters' extensive experience
The promoters have experience of more than four decades in the road freight segment. The transportation division, which accounted for over 90% of total revenue in fiscal 2020, is the flagship business entailing full truck-load road transportation in key industrial cities. BLR provides domestic transportation, bonded trucking, project transport, scheduled transport, multi-modal transport (cargo rail service) and customized transport services.
 
* Moderate financial risk profile
BLR follows the asset-light model, which results in moderate capital structure. Gearing stood at 0.87 time as on March 2020, and will remain below 1 time over the medium term. The total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio was moderate at 1.07 times, and networth was healthy at Rs 100 crore, as on March 31, 2020. Debt protection metrics were comfortable, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios of 2.97 times and 0.17 time, respectively, for fiscal 2020 (1.77 times and 0.11 time, respectively, in fiscal 2019).
 
Weaknesses:
* Susceptibility to volatility in input cost
Operating margin is vulnerable to volatility in fuel prices, which in turn depends on international crude oil prices and regulatory decisions.
 
* Large working capital requirement
Gross current assets were above 82 days due to stretched receivables of 82 days as on March 31, 2020. With limited bargaining power, receivables are expected at 90-100 days over the medium term (average collection of 100 days in the transportation and logistics industry). Additionally, in case of spoilage, pilferage, or theft of cargo, payments are delayed by more than 180 days. Besides, BLR pays upfront to suppliers of trucks and does not get any large credit when purchasing fuel. Hence, reliance on bank debt remains high.
Liquidity Adequate

Cash accrual was comfortable at Rs 15 crore against debt obligation of Rs 11 crore in fiscal 2020, and is expected to remain stable in fiscal 2021, which will comfortably cover debt obligation of Rs 11 crore. Bank limit utilisation was moderate and averaged 83.5% for the 12 months through September 2020. Furthermore, net cash accrual is expected at Rs 15-20 crore per fiscal against yearly debt obligation of Rs 10-12 crore over the medium term. Current ratio was healthy at 1.38 times as on March 31, 2020. 

Outlook: Positive

CRISIL expects that the improvement in the business risk profile of the company driven by better operating efficiency may continue and sustain over the medium term. 

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Stable EBITDA margin above 7% over the medium term
* Improvement in the working capital cycle
 
Downward factors
* Decline in profitability or revenue, leading to net cash accrual below Rs 13 crore
* Unanticipated debt-funded capital expenditure, weakening the financial risk profile, particularly debt protection metrics
* Stretched working capital cycle weakening the liquidity
About the Company

Incorporated in 1989 in Mumbai as a closely held public limited company by the Goyal family (majority stake) and Reliance Capital Ltd, BLR provides transportation and logistics solutions. Mr Ashok Goyal is the managing director.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2020 2019
Operating income Rs crore 384.17 383.97
Reported profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 6.72 4.47
PAT margin % 1.75 1.16
Adjusted debt / adjusted networth Times 0.87 0.97
Interest coverage Times 2.97 1.77

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 10 NA CRISIL A3
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 75 NA CRISIL BBB-/Positive
NA Long Term Loan NA NA Feb-23 9.5 NA CRISIL BBB-/Positive
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  84.50  CRISIL BBB-/Positive  02-04-20  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  07-01-19  CRISIL BBB/Negative      16-10-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ CRISIL A3+  CRISIL BBB/Negative 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  10.00  CRISIL A3  02-04-20  CRISIL A3  07-01-19  CRISIL A3+      16-10-17  CRISIL A3+  CRISIL A3+ 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
 
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Facility Name of Lender Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee ICICI Bank Limited 5 CRISIL A3
Bank Guarantee YES Bank Limited 5 CRISIL A3
Cash Credit HDFC Bank Limited 18 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Cash Credit ICICI Bank Limited 21 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Cash Credit ICICI Bank Limited 5 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Cash Credit ICICI Bank Limited 1.5 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Cash Credit ICICI Bank Limited 0.5 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Cash Credit Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited 17 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Cash Credit YES Bank Limited 12 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Long Term Loan HDFC Bank Limited 3.6 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Long Term Loan Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited 5.9 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
Total - 94.5 -

This Annexure has been updated on 16-Aug-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 31-Jul-2021 received from the rated entity.

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
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
The Rating Process
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings

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