Rating Rationale
May 27, 2019 | Mumbai
Diana Tea Co Limited
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.30.25 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BBB/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3 (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A3+')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of Diana Tea Co Limited (DTCL) to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3' from 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+'.
 
The downgrade reflects deterioration in the company's business risk profile driven by a steep fall in profitability and accrual, because of a 33% increase in minimum wage in fiscal 2019 to Rs 176 per day from Rs 132 per day. As a result, debt protection metrics also weakened.
 
In the first nine months of fiscal 2019, the company recorded EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) of Rs 7.97 crore (15%), in comparison to Rs 12.43 crore (24%), respectively, in same period in fiscal 2018. The decline was triggered by a 33% increase in actual employee cost. Realisation price did not increase commensurately, leading to reduced profit. Also, in the final quarter of fiscal 2019, sales of tea companies declined due to unavailability of raw material and reduced cultivation. However, fixed cost and routine cost for maintenance of tea estates continued. Hence, EBITDA fell from Rs 12.43 crore in the first nine months of fiscal 2018 to Rs 4.08 crore for the full fiscal. The company is likely to incur a net loss in fiscal 2019 but will not have a cash loss.
 
Debt protection metrics weakened, indicated by estimated interest coverage of below 1 time and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratio of 0.01 time for fiscal 2019. Cash accrual is estimated to be short of debt obligation of Rs 1.03 crore in fiscal 2019, which may be sufficiently covered by healthy balance in bank limit and unencumbered cash, and bank and liquid investments.
 
Timely recovery of the company with improvement in realisation price will remain a key sensitivity factor.
 
The ratings continue to reflect DTCL's healthy capital structure with adequate networth and low gearing. The ratings also factor in its established market position and the promoters' extensive experience in the tea industry. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to volatility in tea prices and to weather conditions.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Healthy capital structure: The capital structure is supported by healthy networth of Rs 46.11 crore as on March 31, 2018, estimated at Rs 45.14 crore as on March 31, 2019. The company's reliance on external funds has been low, as indicated by debt of Rs 11.31 crore as on March 31, 2018, and moderate bank limit utilisation of 25% over the 12 months through March 2019. This led to low gearing of 0.25 time as on March 31, 2018, estimated at 0.29 time as on March 31, 2019 (0.26-0.29 time in the 5 fiscals through 2019). Furthermore, total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratio was healthy at 0.5 time as on March 31, 2019, and is expected at a similar level over the medium term.

* Established market position and the 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. Also, 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). The auction prices are determined at the auction centres based on the demand-supply metrics. The domestic demand-supply scenario directly impacts prices, while the global demand-supply situation could affect the market sentiment. While DTCL has some pricing discretion for tea sold through the private channel, these prices are also influenced by the auction prices. Moreover, fragmentation in the tea industry limits pricing variation. For instance, realisation price could not match the increase in production cost of tea in fiscal 2019, leading to reduced profitability or loss for many West Bengal-based tea manufacturers. DTCL will remain susceptible to volatility in price.
 
* Vulnerability of operating profitability to seasonality in production and weather conditions: Tea is a seasonal product and its yield depends on the monsoon. Hence, production declines amid poor weather conditions. Furthermore, the crop is also exposed to pest attacks. Tea plantation companies have high fixed cost. The major cost components are labour and fixed manufacturing expenses. If production is lower than normal, DTCL may witness a significant dip in profitability or even an operating loss. CRISIL believes DTCL's operating margin will remain susceptible to fluctuations in production and input costs.
Liquidity

The company has moderate liquidity, though it has weakened slightly due to reduction in cash accrual. Estimated cash accrual of Rs 10-20 lakh in fiscal 2019 was inadequate to meet debt obligation of Rs 1.03 crore. Cushion in bank line along with unencumbered cash, bank and liquid funds (Rs 3.7 crore) supported servicing of debt. Cash credit limit of Rs 29.3 crore was utilised at an average of 24% in the 12 months through March 2019, indicating sufficient cushion in bank limit. Accrual is expected to increase in fiscal 2020 with improvement in realisation price, and will be a key sensitivity factor.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes 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 revenue and profitability to historical levels leads to higher accrual, while working capital management and capital structure are sustained. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if low operating income or continued low profitability, or a stretch in the working capital cycle, or any significant, debt-funded capital expenditure weakens the financial risk profile and 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-curl (CTC) tea. The company was set up by Mr Nawab Ghulam Jabbar of Jalpaiguri (West Bengal), and was acquired by Mr Radheshyam Singhania in 1976. It is now managed by the Singhania family.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 60.82 52.27
Profit aftar tax Rs crore 2.69 2.18
PAT margin % 4.10 4.68
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.25 0.29
Interest coverage Times 2.97 2.36

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. 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 Assigned with Outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 0.95 CRISIL A3
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 23 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Mar-2028 6.3 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
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  29.30  CRISIL BBB-/Stable      28-02-18  CRISIL BBB/Stable      07-11-16  CRISIL BBB/Stable  CRISIL BBB/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  0.95  CRISIL A3      28-02-18  CRISIL A3+      07-11-16  CRISIL A3+  CRISIL A3+ 
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 .95 CRISIL A3 Bank Guarantee .95 CRISIL A3+
Cash Credit 23 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Cash Credit 23 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Term Loan 6.3 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Term Loan 6.3 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
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process

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