Rating Rationale
December 14, 2020 | Mumbai
Cothas Coffee Co
Rating upgraded to 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.20 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BBB+/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BBB/Positive')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Cothas Coffee Co (Cothas) to 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable' from 'CRISIL BBB/Positive'.
 
The upgrade reflects improvement in the firm's business risk profile backed by steady growth in revenue, continuous expansion of dealer/distributor network and increasing geographic penetration. This while continuing on a healthy operating margin driven by brand premium. Operating margin was healthy at 17 - 21% over the past five fiscals through 2020. The firm has achieved revenue of Rs 60 crore until November 2021 despite lockdown in the first quarter of the fiscal due to the Covid-19 pandemic because of steady demand. Further the CRISIL believes that backed by high degree of brand loyalty in beverage industry, Cothas coffee would be able to sustain growth in its scale of operation over medium term. At the same time the firm's ability sustain its operating margins, while ramping up sales and maintaining its collection cycle will remain a rating sensitivity factor over the medium term.
 
The financial risk profile continues to be healthy with minimal dependence on external debt, leading to strong capital structure and robust debt protection metrics. Although the firm has plans to increase its grinding capacity in fiscal 2021 and has contracted a term loan of Rs 5 crore, capital structure will remain healthy. High cash and equivalents will continue to enhance the liquidity over the medium term.
 
The rating continues to reflect the firm's established market position in the filter coffee segment and above-average financial risk profile, supported by healthy debt protection metrics and low gearing. These strengths are partially offset by modest scale of operations and geographic concentration in revenue.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Established market position in the filter coffee segment:
Being in the retail filter coffee business for over 70 years, Cothas has established its market position, with a dominant market share in Bengaluru. Cothas has also penetrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and deemed export. The firm has also started selling on e-commerce platforms which enables it to reach a wider customer base. In fiscal 2021, revenue is expected to grow 10-12% backed by its extensive network of 31 retail stores and 120 distributors. Along with two modern processing facilities, the storage facilities remain supportive of the growth.
 
* Above-average financial risk profile:
The financial risk profile is supported by low gearing and healthy debt protection metrics. Gearing was low at 0.2 time and networth was at Rs 42 crore as on March 31, 2020, due to healthy profitability and retention of a significant portion of profit in the business. Even with debt-funded expansion plans in place, leverage is expected to remain comfortable. Debt protection metrics were healthy, with interest coverage ratio and net cash accruals to total debt ratios at over 45 times and 1.04 times in fiscal 2020 respectively. The debt protection metrics will remain stable over the medium term.
 
Weaknesses:
* Modest scale of operations and exposure to intense competition:
The firm has a modest scale despite being in the coffee business for over seven decades. It faces intense competition from established players as well as many players operating at the bottom of the value chain because of low entry barriers on account of low capital and technology requirement. Although the demand for roasted and grounded filter coffee is healthy, intense competition will continue to restrict the scale of operations.
 
* Susceptibility of profitability to volatility in coffee bean prices due to climatic conditions:
Coffee plantations incur high fixed cost, and thus, their operating margin is vulnerable to risks arising from less-than-normal production or inability to improve realization. For instance, in fiscal 2015, the operating margin of Cothas declined to 10.8% from 21.9% in fiscal 2014 due to increase in raw material prices. Pest attacks and inadequate rainfall may adversely impact production and crop quality. Despite its strong hold in the market, Cothas' business risk profile is susceptible to seasonality in coffee production and climatic conditions.
Liquidity Adequate

Bank limit utilization was low through November 2020 despite moderate working capital requirement. Net cash accrual is expected to be healthy at Rs 10 - 12 crore per fiscal over the medium term against no debt obligation. Expected capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 18 - 20 crore in fiscal 2021 will be funded through internal accrual and term loan. The firm has healthy financial flexibility due to a comfortable capital structure. Current ratio was healthy at over 2.69 times as on March 31, 2020.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Cothas will continue to benefit over the medium term from its established brand in the filter coffee segment.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors:
* More than 30% growth in revenue per annum and stable operating margin, leading to increase in cash accrual to over Rs 15 crore in fiscal 2021
* Stable working capital cycle
 
Downward factors:
* Decline in operating margin to less than 12%
* Significant increase in working capital requirement; large, debt-funded capex; or larger-than-anticipated capital withdrawal by the partners, weakening the financial risk profile and liquidity
About the Firm

Set up in 1948 in Bengaluru as a partnership firm by Mr C K Sreenathan, Cothas processes coffee beans into roasted and grounded filter coffee. Daily operations are managed by Mr C S Nitin. The firm had 28 retail stores as on March 31, 2020, and around 120 distributors.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2020 2019
Revenue Rs crore 88.68 80.66
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 11.45 10.83
PAT margin % 12.91 13.42
Adjusted debt / adjusted networth Times 0.20 0.13
Interest coverage Times 45.27 76.37

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
level
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 15 NA CRISIL BBB+/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Dec-26 5 NA CRISIL BBB+/Stable
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  20.00  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  14-07-20  CRISIL BBB/Positive  12-03-19  CRISIL BBB/Positive      28-12-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable  CRISIL BBB-/Positive 
        08-07-20  CRISIL BBB/Positive               
        24-06-20  CRISIL BBB/Positive               
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
 
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Name of Lender Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit Citibank N. A. 15 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Term Loan Citibank N. A. 5 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
This Annexure has been updated on 7-Sep-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 2-Aug-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
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
The Rating Process
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings

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