Rating Rationale
October 08, 2020 | Mumbai
Baby Marine Sarass
Rating downgraded to 'CRISIL A4'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.11 Crore
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4 (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A4+')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL's has downgraded its rating on the bank loan facilities of Baby Marine Sarass (BMS; part of the Baby Marine group) to 'CRISIL A4' from 'CRISIL A4+'.
 
The rating downgrade reflects weakening of group's business risk profile from last few fiscals as reflected in estimated revenues at Rs 45 crores in fiscal 2020 from Rs 97 crores in fiscal 2017, while operating margins deteriorating year on year. Working capital cycle is expected to stretch with Gross Current Asset days at above 200 days as on March 2020 from 73 days in March 2017.The lockdown and other measures taken by various central and state governments towards containment of COVID-19 has impacted the financial risk profile and business risk profile and expected to be sluggish in near term. This has impacted the liquidity profile, resulting in higher utilization of bank lines and deterioration in debt protection metrics.    
 
The ratings continues to reflect group's modest scale of operation, moderate financial risk profile and exposure to risks inherent in the seafood processing industry. These weaknesses are partially offset by its partners' extensive experience in the seafood processing industry.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its rating, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Baby Marine International (BMI) with its group firm BMS. This is because both the entities, together referred to as the Baby Marine group, are in the same line of business, and have common management and operational linkages between them.

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
Weakness:
* Modest scale of operation and moderate financial risk profile: Modest scale of operations in the fragmented and intensely competitive seafood industry would constrain the business profile. Industry is highly fragmented due to low technology and capital requirements. Revenues estimated at Rs 45 crores in fiscal 2020.The networth of the firm is estimated to be moderate. Estimated Gearing stood at 1.5 times and Total Outstanding liability to Tangible Networth (TOL/TNW) at 2 times as on March 2020. Interest coverage estimated at negative (0.22) and Net Cash Accruals to Total Debt (NCATD) at negative (0.05) times in 2020.
 
* Exposure to risks inherent in the seafood industry: The seafood industry is marked by demand-supply imbalance, which is more pronounced on the supply side. Seafood is a depleting commodity; tightened regulations on fishing have made supply conditions more irregular. The seafood industry has also been affected by the seasonality of the business, lack of quality seeds and feed, rampant diseases, and floods.
 
Strength:
* Partners' extensive experience and established relationships with customers and suppliers: Partners' experience of over 20 years has helped them gain understanding of the market dynamics and forge strong relationships with suppliers and customers should continue to support the business risk profile.
Liquidity Stretched

Bank limit utilization is high at around 95 percent for the past twelve months ended June 2020. Cash accrual are expected to be over Rs 7 million which are sufficient  against term debt obligation of Rs 3-4 million over the medium term. In addition, it will be act as a cushion to the liquidity of the company. Current ratio is moderate at 1.07 times estimated as on March 31, 2020. Group had availed COVID-19 moratorium in its working capital facilities.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factor
* Sustained improvement in margins to 4% and scale by 20%, leading to higher cash accruals. * * * Improvement in working capital cycle, with gross current assets improve to 150 days
 
Downward factor
* Decline in scale of operations leading to fall in revenue by 20% percent and profitability margin below 2%, hence leading to lower net cash accrual.
* Stretch in working capital cycle.
About the Group

BMI is based in Kochi (Kerala) and BMS in Mangaluru (Karnataka). The Baby Marine group processes shrimp and other seafood, including cuttlefish, squid, lobster, and octopus, which it exports to Europe, Japan, and Africa. The group was founded in 1977 by Mr KC Ninnan. The daily operations of both firms are managed by Mr KC Ninnan's sons, Mr Alex K Ninnan and Mr George K Ninnan.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 73.08 98.39
Reported profit after tax Rs crore 0.69 0.48
PAT margins % 0.95 0.49
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 1.24 1.26
Interest coverage Times 0.94 1.36

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
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 Bill Purchase-Discounting Facility NA NA NA 5 NA CRISIL A4
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 6 NA CRISIL A4
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Baby Marine International (BMI) 100% Same line of business
Baby Marine Sarass (BMS) 100% Same line of business
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  11.00  CRISIL A4      09-07-19  CRISIL A4+  03-08-18  CRISIL A4+  28-08-17  CRISIL A4+  CRISIL A4+ 
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
Bill Purchase-Discounting Facility 5 CRISIL A4 Bill Purchase-Discounting Facility 5 CRISIL A4+
Packing Credit 6 CRISIL A4 Packing Credit 6 CRISIL A4+
Total 11 -- Total 11 --
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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