Rating Rationale
February 26, 2019 | Mumbai
Britannia Industries Limited
'CRISIL AAA/Stable' assigned to NCD
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1000 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.720 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Assigned)
Rs.500 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL AAA/Stable' rating to the non-convertible debentures of Britannia Industries Limited (Britannia), and has reaffirmed its ratings on existing bank facilities and commercial paper programme of Britannia at 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'.
 
CRISIL expects Britannia's revenues will register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10-12% and the company will maintain operating profitability of about 14-15% over the medium term. Revenues registered a CAGR of 11% over the five fiscals through March 2018. In the first nine months ended December 31, 2018, consolidated revenue from operations growth was 10.8% year-on-year with a healthy profit before tax of ~16%, supported by improvement in gross margin, cost savings and premiumization of the product portfolio. The financial risk profile is expected to remain robust driven by almost debt free balance sheet and strong debt protection metrics. Liquidity position is also robust.

Britannia had, on August 23, 2018, announced a one-time bonus debenture issue of Rs 720 crore.. CRISIL believes that post the bonus debenture issue, Britannia's financial risk profile will continue to remain healthy. Further, BIL will continue to enjoy strong liquidity (cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 2,390 crore as on December 31, 2018) since the cash outflow for the redemption of bonus debentures will happen only in fiscal 2022.  The company is expected to generate robust cash accruals of over Rs.1000-1200 crore per year and has modest capex plans of Rs.400-500 crore. The cash surplus is likely to be maintained at healthy levels, and may partly be used to enhance in-house capacities and support new product and category launches.

The ratings continue to reflect the company's market-leading position in the biscuit market, strong operating efficiency, and its strong financial risk profile. These rating strengths are partially offset by susceptibility of profitability to fluctuations in raw material prices & intense competition in the biscuit industry.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Britannia and its subsidiaries because of the operating and financial linkages between all these companies.

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 in India's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry: Britannia is one of the leading players in the Indian biscuit industry, with a market share of about a third in value terms. The company has a diversified portfolio of biscuits across all seven categories namely glucose, Marie, cookies, crackers, cream, milk, and health. Also, it has strong brands across its product portfolio including Good-day, Tiger, Marie, Nutrichoice and Milk Bikis. The strong market position is supported by a wide distribution network in both rural and urban areas. Over fiscals 2014 and 2019, the direct reach has doubled to 20.8 lakh outlets. It has also plans to enter new food categories and launched products such as Whole wheat vita marie gold, Good Cashew almond, renovation of 50-50 & tiger creams, Swiss Rolls and Layer cakes, Cream wafers and flavoured milk shakes. The company is targeting new products to contribute 4.5'5% of overall revenue (includes products launched over the last 24 months). The company intends to become a global foods company and has set up strategic business units for Adjacent bakery, Dairy and International business. Britannia has also set up Greenfield unit in Nepal and is expected to commission the same by end of March 2019. Further, Company has commissioned additional line for cakes and biscuits at Ranjangaon.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile:
Britannia's financial risk profile is marked by a healthy capital structure, strong debt protection measures, and high financial flexibility. Steady cash flow and accretion to net worth resulted in improvement in Britannia's capital structure (gearing of 0.04 times as on March 31, 2018 and estimated at under 0.30 times at March 31, 2019, post issue of bonus debentures) and other credit metrics. Capex is estimated at Rs.400-600 crores annually, which will be funded from internal cash generation.
 
Britannia has robust liquidity, marked by its cash and cash equivalent of around Rs. 2,390 crore at December 31, 2018, and minimally utilized bank lines.
 
Weaknesses:
* Exposure to intense competition in the FMCG industry: Intense competition has reduced the ability of players to pass on any increase in raw material prices. While Britannia has fairly been able to maintain its competitive position and pricing in the industry, CRISIL believes that competitive intensity will continue to be high with new product launches from the players especially in the premium segment.
 
* Susceptibility of profitability to fluctuations in raw material prices: The prices of key raw materials wheat, sugar and palm oil depend on geo-climatic conditions, international prices, and the domestic demand-supply situation. CRISIL believes that Britannia's focus on cost efficiencies and continued price leadership will help mitigate the impact of volatility in raw material prices on its margins. However Britannia's ability to pass on the increased cost of raw materials to consumers, while maintaining market share, continues to be a key rating sensitivity factor.
Liquidity

Britannia has robust liquidity, supported bv cash surpluses of almost Rs.2,400 crore, and minimally utilized bank limits. Further, cash generation is healthy at over Rs.1000 crore annually. Cash equivalents are largely invested in bonds, government bills and inter-corporate deposits.  The company has an exposure to group companies of Rs 710 crore as on December 31, 2018 and is likely to limit exposure to ~ 30% of cash surpluses. Repayments on bonus debentures, which will come up after 3 years, are expected to be met from cash surpluses and internal cash accruals.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Britannia will maintain its strong market position in the biscuit industry over the medium term backed by strong brands and an established distribution network. Also, healthy cash accruals will be more than sufficient to meet capex requirement and any incremental working capital needs, ensuring maintenance of its strong financial risk profile.
 
Downside scenario
The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if:
* Substantial decline in operating margin, liquidity or any large debt-funded capex or acquisitions or material increase in exposures to group companies, impacting the financial risk profile.

About the Company

Established in 1892, Britannia is one of the largest players in the biscuit industry in India. Over the years, the company has expanded its product offering significantly through adding newer products such as dairy items, cake, and rusk. It has expanded overseas through acquiring Strategic Foods International LLC in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Al Sallan Food Industries Co SAOG in Oman. These two companies are regional players in the biscuit and cookies segment in the Middle East. The Mumbai-based Wadia group held 50.72% stake in Britannia as on March 31, 2018.
 
For the nine month period ended December 31, 2018, Consolidated PAT was Rs 861 crore (Rs 741 crores for the corresponding period of previous fiscal) on Consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 8,256 crore (Rs 7,453 crores for the corresponding period of previous fiscal).

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue from operations Rs cr. 9,990 9,324
Profit After Tax Rs cr. 1,004 885
PAT margins % 10.0% 9.5%
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.05 0.04
Interest coverage (PBT / Interest cost) Times 200.02 239.32

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 32 CRISIL A1+
NA Letter of Credit@ NA NA NA 99 CRISIL A1+
NA Buyers Finance NA NA NA 2.1 CRISIL A1+
NA Cash Credit ** NA NA NA 50 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 55 CRISIL A1+
NA Working Capital
Demand Loan^
NA NA NA 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Proposed Short Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 161.9 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 500 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Commercial paper NA NA 7-365 days 500 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-convertible debenture# NA NA NA 720 CRISIL AAA/Stable
@Interchangeable with bank guarantees
**Interchangeable with working capital demand loan and overdraft
^Interchangeable with overdraft or cash credit
#Not yet issues
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Sr no Name of the company % Holding Comments
1 Britannia Dairy Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
2 Daily Bread Gourmet Foods (India) Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
3 Boribunder Finance and Investments Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
4 Flora Investments Company Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
5 Gilt Edge Finance and Investments Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
6 International Bakery Products Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
7 J. B. Mangharam Foods Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
8 Manna Foods Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
9 Snacko Bisc Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
10 Vasana Agrex and Herbs Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
11 Sunrise Biscuit Company Private Limited 99.2% More than 50% share holding
12 Britchip Foods Limited 60.0% More than 50% share holding
13 Ganges Vally Foods Private Limited 51.0% More than 50% share holding
14 Britannia Employees Educational Welfare Association Private Limited NA Limited by Gurantee
15 Britannia Employees General Welfare Association Private Limited NA Limited by Gurantee
16 Britannia Employees Medical Welfare Association Private Limited NA Limited by Gurantee
17 Strategic Food International Co. LLC 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
18 Britannia and Associates (Dubai) Private Company Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
19 Strategic Brands Holding Company Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
20 Britannia and Associates (Mauritius) Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
21 Britannia Dairy Holdings Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
22 Britannia Nepal Private Limited 100.0% Wholly owned subsidiary
23 AL Sallan Food International Co. SAOC 65.5% More than 50% share holding
24 Nalanda Biscuit Company Limited 35.0% Associate Companies- proportionately consolidated
25 Klassik Foods Private Limited 26.0% Associate Companies- proportionately consolidated
26 Sunandaram Foods Private Limited 26.0% Associate Companies- proportionately consolidated
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  500.00  CRISIL A1+      07-06-18  CRISIL A1+    --    --  -- 
            18-04-18  CRISIL A1+           
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  0.00
26-02-19 
CRISIL AAA/Stable    --    --    --    --  -- 
Short Term Debt  ST              01-09-17  CRISIL A1+  19-07-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                16-08-17  CRISIL A1+       
                14-07-17  CRISIL A1+       
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  869.00  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+      07-06-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  01-09-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  19-07-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
            18-04-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  16-08-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+       
                14-07-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  131.00  CRISIL A1+      07-06-18  CRISIL A1+  01-09-17  CRISIL A1+  19-07-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            18-04-18  CRISIL A1+  16-08-17  CRISIL A1+       
                14-07-17  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 32 CRISIL A1+ Bank Guarantee 32 CRISIL A1+
Buyers Finance 2.1 CRISIL A1+ Buyers Finance 2.1 CRISIL A1+
Cash Credit** 50 CRISIL AAA/Stable Cash Credit** 50 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Letter of Credit@ 99 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit@ 99 CRISIL A1+
Overdraft 55 CRISIL A1+ Overdraft 55 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 500 CRISIL AAA/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 500 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 161.9 CRISIL A1+ Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 161.9 CRISIL A1+
Working Capital Demand Loan^ 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable Working Capital Demand Loan^ 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Total 1000 -- Total 1000 --
@Interchangeable with bank guarantees
**Interchangeable with working capital demand loan and overdraft
^Interchangeable with overdraft or cash 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
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Vinay Rajani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1835
M: +91 91 676 42913
B: +91 22 3342 3000
vinay.rajani@ext-crisil.com

Anuj Sethi
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 44 6656 3100
anuj.sethi@crisil.com


Gautam Shahi
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 124 672 2000
gautam.shahi@crisil.com


Akshi Chugh
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3051
Akshi.Chugh@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL