Rating Rationale
February 28, 2018 | Mumbai
Diana Tea Co Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.30.25 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+' ratings on the bank facilities of Diana Tea Co Limited (DTCL).
 
The ratings continue to reflect DTCL's strong financial risk profile with healthy net worth, low gearing and comfortable debt protection metrics. The ratings also factor in the established market position and promoters extensive industry experience. These rating strengths are partially offset by exposure to volatility in tea prices and to adverse weather conditions.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strong financial risk profile: Financial profile is healthy, on account of large networth and low gearing, at Rs 44.5 crore and around 0.29 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2017. CRISIL believes that healthy net worth and low gearing provides a cushion to the DTCL's credit risk profile in case of sudden change in business condition. Low gearing and moderate profitability have resulted in healthy debt protection metrics, with net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios at 0.22 time and 3.26 times, respectively, for fiscal 2017. Low gearing and expected moderate profitability should keep debt protection metrics healthy over the medium term.
 
* Established market position and promoters extensive industry experience
DTCL's plantations have been under cultivation since the early 1900s. The tea produced at its estates is well known, and commands a premium. The company has presence in the bulk as well as branded segment, and its brand, Diana Tea, has an established presence in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The company's tea is bought through auctions by reputed tea marketing companies. The reputation of Diana Tea's estates and the high quality of its tea enable the company to realise better prices in the auction market. Further, DTCL's promoters, members of the Singhania family, have extensive experience in the tea business.
 
Weaknesses
* Susceptibility of profitability to fluctuations in tea prices
A significant portion of DTCL's sales are through auctions at Kolkata and Siliguri (both in West Bengal) auction centres. The auction prices are determined at the centres based on the demand-supply metrics. The domestic demand-supply scenario directly impacts prices, while the global demand-supply situation could impact the market sentiment in the industry. While DTCL has some pricing discretion in case of tea sold through the private channel, the prices in this segment are also influenced by the auction prices. Moreover, the fragmented nature of the tea industry permit limited pricing variation.
 
* Vulnerability of operating profitability to seasonality in production and adverse weather conditions: Tea is a seasonal product and its yield is dependent on the monsoon; hence, in case of poor weather conditions, production deteriorates. Furthermore, the cultivation is also exposed to pest attacks. The cost structure of tea plantation companies is marked by high fixed costs. The major cost components are labour and fixed manufacturing expenses. In case of lower-than-normal production, DTCL can witness significant dip in profitability or even operating losses. CRISIL believes that DTCL's operating margin will remain susceptible to fluctuations in production and input costs.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that DTCL will continue to benefit from the promoters' extensive industry experience. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if any substantial and sustained increase in the scale of operations while maintaining its margins, leads to higher accrual, along with improved working capital management and sustained capital structure. Conversely, outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if low operating income or profitability, or a stretch in the working capital cycle, or any significant, debt-funded capital expenditure weakens the financial risk profile, particularly liquidity.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1911 and listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, DTCL is an integrated tea player. It has tea plantations and manufactures crush-tear-and-curled (CTC) tea. The company, originally promoted by Mr Nawab Ghulam Jabbar of Jalpaiguri (West Bengal), was acquired by Mr Radheshyam Singhania in 1976. It is currently managed by the Singhania family.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs crore 52.49 49.50
Profit After Tax Rs crore 2.21 2.49
PAT margin % 4.2 5.0
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.29 0.27
Interest coverage Times 2.34 2.19

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 Cash credit NA NA NA 23 CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 0.95 CRISIL A3+
NA Term loan NA NA Mar-2023 6.3 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  29.3  CRISIL BBB/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL BBB/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  .95  CRISIL A3+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A3+ 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee .95 CRISIL A3+ Bank Guarantee 1.31 CRISIL A3+
Cash Credit 23 CRISIL BBB/Stable Cash Credit 21.7 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Term Loan 6.3 CRISIL BBB/Stable Long Term Loan 7.24 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Total 30.25 -- Total 30.25 --
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
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry

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