Rating Rationale
November 20, 2023 | Mumbai
Eastern Treads Limited
Ratings reaffirmed at 'CRISIL B/Stable/CRISIL A4'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.30.5 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL B/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A4 (Reaffirmed)
Note: None of the Directors on CRISIL Ratings Limited’s Board are members of rating committee and thus do not participate in discussion or assignment of any ratings. The Board of Directors also does not discuss any ratings at its meetings.
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL B/Stable/CRISIL A4’ ratings on the bank loan facilities of Eastern Treads Ltd (ETL).

 

The rating continues to reflect the below-average financial risk profile and exposure to volatility in raw material prices. These weaknesses are partially offset by the extensive experience of the company's promoter in the rubber treads industry, and its longstanding relationships with key customers and suppliers.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Weaknesses:

  • Below-average financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is below average owing to a leveraged capital structure and modest debt protection metrics. Total outside liabilities to tangible net worth ratio was high at around (3.98) times as on March 31, 2023. Debt protection metrics has significantly weakened post reduced profitability marked by interest coverage and NCATD of (0.87) times and (0.17) % in FY23. Further the company has a working capital-intensive operation which is likely to result in higher dependence on external borrowings to meet the same. Consequently, the financial metrics are likely to remain at similar range in the near term.

 

  • Exposure to volatility in raw material prices: The prices of key raw materials i.e., natural rubber, carbon black and synthetic rubber, have remained high in the last few quarters. Operating margin has remained negative in the last two years i.e., Mar 2022 and Mar 2023 year endings, in the range of (7.1) % to (4.5) %. ETL’s margins is expected to remain vulnerable to fluctuations in input costs over the medium term.

 

Strength:

  • Extensive experience of the promoter in the rubber treads industry, and its longstanding relationships with key customers and suppliers: The promoters have been in the rubber treads industry for over 3 decades now and this has enabled them to have a strong understanding of the market dynamics. Benefits from the promoter’s experience of nearly three decades and established relationships with customers and suppliers should continue to support the business.

Liquidity: Stretched

Bank limit utilisation is high at around 95.29 percent for the past thirteen months ended Sept 2023. NCA is expected to remain modest over the medium term owing to reduced profitability. However, need based unsecured loans of Rs.3.87 crore supported the liquidity. Current ratio remains moderate at around 1.01 times as on 31st March 2023. The promoters are likely to extend support in the form of equity and unsecured loans to meet its working capital requirements and repayment obligations.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL Ratings believes ETL will continue to benefit from the extensive experience of its promoters and support from the Eastern group.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward Factors:

  • Strong revenue growth along with resumption of moderate operating margin of more than 4%
  • Improvement in financial risk profile

 

Downward Factors:

  • Further deterioration in TOLTNW due to working capital stretch or large debt funded capex plans.
  • Decline in profitability by more than 200 basis points or significant decline in revenue leading to further weakening of business risk profile.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1993 and based in Kochi, Kerala, ETL manufactures rubber treads. Promoted by Mr M E Meeran, the company is managed by Mr Navas Meeran.

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2023

2022

Operating income

Rs crore

64.67

72.30

Reported profit after tax

Rs crore

-7.68

-9.89

PAT margins

%

-11.18

-13.39

Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth

Times

-3.01

-8.49

Interest coverage

Times

-0.89

-1.60

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 and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.

Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)

ISIN Name of the
instrument
Date of
Allotment
Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity
Date
Issue size
(Rs. Crore)
Complexity
Level
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 5 NA CRISIL A4
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 12.5 NA CRISIL B/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 1.5 NA CRISIL A4
NA Term Loan NA NA Mar-28 11.5 NA CRISIL B/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2023 (History) 2022  2021  2020  Start of 2020
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 24.0 CRISIL B/Stable   -- 31-10-22 CRISIL B/Stable 26-08-21 CRISIL BB-/Stable 06-11-20 CRISIL BB-/Stable CRISIL BB/Stable
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 6.5 CRISIL A4   -- 31-10-22 CRISIL A4 26-08-21 CRISIL A4+ 06-11-20 CRISIL A4+ CRISIL A4+
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Bank Guarantee 5 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL A4
Cash Credit 12.5 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL B/Stable
Letter of Credit 1.5 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL A4
Term Loan 11.5 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL B/Stable
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
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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