Rating Rationale
April 09, 2019 | Mumbai
Bigbloc Construction Limited
Rating removed from 'Watch Developing'; Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.25 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB/Stable (Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications'; Rating Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Bigbloc Construction Limited (BCL; part of Bigbloc group) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' and reaffirmed the rating at 'CRISIL BB' and assigned a 'Stable' outlook.
 
CRISIL had placed the rating on watch on July 18, 2018, following BCL's announcement of its acquisition of Hilltop Concrete Pvt Ltd (now renamed as Starbigbloc Building Material Pvt Ltd [SBM]). CRISIL was awaiting discussions with the management on the structure of transaction and its implications on the credit risk profile of BCL.
 
The watch is resolved following clarity from the management. BCL has acquired 100% stake in SBM which has now become its wholly owned subsidiary; this acquisition has been funded by unsecured loans extended by the promoters. The promoters extended around Rs 10 crore in BCL to part fund the acquisition and working capital requirement in SBM. Consequently, BCL's cash flow has not weakened.
 
The rating continues to reflect BCL's moderate financial risk profile, optimum capacity utilisation, and healthy profitability. These strengths are partially offset by average scale of operations and large working capital requirement.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has consolidated the business and financial risk profiles of BCL and SBM, together referred to as Bigbloc group. That is because SBM is a 100% subsidiary of BCL, there are significant business and financial interlinkages between the two companies. Further, BCL has given corporate guarantee for the bank facilities availed of by SBM.
 
The interest-free unsecured loans extended to BCL by the promoters have been treated as 75% equity and the balance as debt. That is because these loans may be retained in the business over medium term.

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:
* Moderate financial risk profile
The financial risk profile is moderate, with a networth of Rs 30 crore and gearing of 1.57 times as of March 2018. Debt protection metrics were moderate, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of over 2.09 times and 0.07 time, respectively, during fiscal 2018. The consolidated financial risk profile is estimated to have improved in fiscal 2019 backed by improved performance of SBM and the fund infusion by promoters.

* Optimum capacity utilisation and healthy profitability
Ramp-up in capacity utilisation to around 90% resulted in healthy top line growth and profitability for BCL. Revenue and operating margin were Rs 71.5 crore and 16.6%, respectively, in fiscal 2018. In SBM, as well, the operations have turned around since the takeover by BCL; SBM is expected to contribute around a third of the group's turnover over medium term. BCL has maintained a healthy operating margin over 15% over the three fiscals through 2018. While operating margin moderated in fiscal 2019 amidst push for scale up, pricing and cost pressures, it is expected to recover over the medium term supported by better spread of costs on higher scale, lowered logistics costs.
 
Weaknesses
* Average scale of operations
Scale is average, as reflected in revenue of Rs 73 crore in fiscal 2018, with intense competition, and plant size, high transportation overheads continuing to restrict scalability. While the SBM addition shall be helpful, the group's ability to scale up and sustain needs to be observed.
 
* Large working capital requirement
Operations are likely to remain working capital intensive. Gross current assets were around 6 months as on March 31, 2018, with receivables and inventory of 108 days and 42 days, respectively.  
Liquidity

Liquidity may remain restrained over the medium term by high term debt obligations and working capital intensive operations. While company is expected to generate healthy cash accrual of Rs 10 crore in fiscal 2020, same shall be largely utilized to service the repayment obligation of Rs 7 crore and incremental working capital requirements restraining any significant improvement in liquidity. The bank limit utilisation has been high and averaged over 95% (on the sanctioned bank limit of Rs 16.5 crore).

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the Bigbloc group shall continue to benefit from the experience of promoter and their continued funding support. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if cash accrual is substantially better than expected coupled with steady capital structure. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if a steep decline in cash accrual, a further stretch in the working capital cycle, or any large, capital expenditure weakens the financial profile and liquidity.

About the Group

BCL manufactures aerated autoclave concrete (AAC) blocks at its plant in Valsad, Gujarat. The company has installed capacity of 3 lakh cubic metre per annum and markets its products under the brand, NXTBLOC. BCL, based in Surat, Gujarat, demerged from Mohit Industries Ltd in 2015. Its operations are managed by the director, Mr Mohit Saboo.
 
SBM is a subsidiary of BCL and has installed capacity of 2 lakh cubic metre per annum for AAC block. The plant is in Kheda, Gujarat.

Key Financial Indicators (Standalone)
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 71.5 62.8
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 4 2.9
PAT Margin % 5.6 4.7
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.26 1.26
Interest coverage Times 3.8 3.2

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 Outstanding
with Outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 13 CRISIL BB/Stable
NA Long Term Loan NA NA Nov-2020 10 CRISIL BB/Stable
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 2 CRISIL BB/Stable
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation
Bigbloc Construction Ltd Full Consolidation
Starbigbloc Building Material Pvt Ltd Full Consolidation
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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  25.00  CRISIL BB/Stable  09-01-19  CRISIL BB/Watch Developing  15-10-18  CRISIL BB/Watch Developing  22-06-17  CRISIL BB/Stable  03-06-16  CRISIL BB/Stable  -- 
            18-07-18  CRISIL BB/Watch Developing           
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 13 CRISIL BB/Stable Cash Credit 13 CRISIL BB/Watch Developing
Long Term Loan 10 CRISIL BB/Stable Long Term Loan 10 CRISIL BB/Watch Developing
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 2 CRISIL BB/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 2 CRISIL BB/Watch Developing
Total 25 -- Total 25 --
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 Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

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