Rating Rationale
December 17, 2018 | Mumbai
Escorts Limited
'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+' assigned to bank debt ; CP reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1000 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Stable (Assigned)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Assigned)
 
Rs.100 Crore Commercial Paper Programme CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed) 
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings to the bank facilities of Escorts Limited (Escorts). The rating on the commercial paper programme has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1+'.

The ratings reflect Escorts' healthy business risk profile, backed by an established and improving market position in the tractor segment, diversified revenue profile, and healthy operating efficiency. The rating also factors in a strong financial risk profile and liquidity, with minimal dependence on external debt. These strengths are partially offset by high dependence on the cyclical tractor industry, limited presence in West and South India, weak - though improving - performance of the construction equipment (CE) segment, and susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices.

Market position is reinforced by a strong presence in North India, and an improving share in others geographies. Offerings from the company's Powertrac and Farmtrac brands have increased, especially in the last couple of years, thereby improving penetration in newer geographies. Additionally, revenue diversity is expanding gradually, with better performance in the CE and railway equipment segments, backed by healthy growth in revenue and cost reduction initiatives. Revenue is expected to grow at a healthy compound annual rate of 12-15% over the medium term. This, along with steady profitability of 11-13%, should ensure return on capital employed is sustained at 40-50%. An improving cost structure, in line with industry average, and higher profitability in the CE segment have strengthened the ability to sustain operating margin during negative cycles.

The promoter (third-generation entrepreneur) and management have a strong understanding of the underlying business drivers. Their extensive experience, focus on product development, continuous cost engineering, and increasing geographic reach have helped maintain healthy operating efficiency. This has resulted in an industry-leading growth rate and higher operating margin (10.8% in fiscal 2018), despite intensifying competition.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Escorts and its 12 subsidiaries and proportionately consolidated '2' joint ventures (JVs) to the extent of its shareholding in these entities, collectively referred to as the Escorts, have significant business and financial linkages and common management.

Please refer Annexure - Details of Consolidation, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation. 

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Healthy market position in the tractor industry: Escorts is the fourth largest player in the tractor segment in India (after Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd ['CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'], Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd ['CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+'], and Interactional Tractors Ltd), backed by an established legacy of 70 years and market share of 11%. It offers a wide range of tractors (10-75 horsepower), primarily under the Farmtrac and Powertrac brands. Revamping of the product portfolio over the past three fiscals, healthy financing tie-ups (including a joint venture with De Lage Landen Financial Services India), and an increasing dealer network have helped improve market share in West India (9.5% in fiscal 2018 against 7.8% in fiscal 2016) and sustain the share in other geographies. Products introduced to serve local needs in opportunity markets, such as West and South India, and improving dealer and financing penetration should help increase diversity in revenue and add to the market share over the medium term. With partnership of Escorts with Kubota Corporation, the market position of Escorts in high end value utility tractor range is likely to get benefitted in domestic and exports markets. Furthermore, higher focus on exports, which contributed 3.7% to revenue in fiscal 2018, should help sustain volume growth at 7-9% over the medium term.

* Diversified revenue profile
The CE and railway equipment business contribute 15 and 6% to total revenue, respectively. Product portfolio in the CE business comprises earth moving, material-handling, and road-construction equipment. The diverse product range enables the company to cater to multiple end-user industries and has resulted in compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2% in the four fiscals through 2018. Moreover, the second largest position in the pick-and-carry crane segment and increasing tie-ups improving product portfolio should drive growth in revenue in the medium term. Further, with new JV of Escorts with Tadano group to manufacture rough terrain cranes and truck mounted cranes, the market position of Escorts in RT cranes segment is likely to improve.

Revenue in the railway equipment business, the most profitable segment, is derived from sales of brakes, suspensions, and couplers to India Railways. This segment has grown at a CAGR of 8% in the four fiscals through 2018. Substantial orders of over Rs 400 crore as on September 30, 2018, provide strong revenue visibility.

* Healthy operating efficiency: Operating margin has consistently improved (11.8% in the first six months of fiscal 2019 against 6.9% in fiscal 2017), driven by the cost reduction initiatives undertaken over the past three fiscals, benefits derived from operating leverage, and exit from the loss-making automotive (auto) component business. Reduction in raw material cost, due to value engineering and lowering employee cost, should help sustain the margin over the medium term. Additionally, there was an operating level breakeven in the CE segment in fiscal 2018, and the margin is expected to improve to 4-5% in fiscal 2019. The railways business continues to be profitable, with margin of 13.9% in fiscal 2018. Overall profitability is expected to improve to over 12% in the medium term.

Furthermore, working capital management has been prudent, as reflected in a negative working capital cycle. Substantial credit of 90-100 days is received from suppliers against debtors and inventory of 40-45 and 40 days, respectively.

* Strong financial risk profile, supported by robust liquidity: Financial risk profile is marked by low debt and comfortable debt protection metrics, with gearing at 0.05 time and cash surplus at Rs 612 crore as on September30, 2018. Cash accrual is expected to remain comfortable at Rs 400-500 crore, and should be more than sufficient to meet modest capital expenditure of Rs 250-300 crore per annum in fiscals 2019 and 2020. Financial risk profile is likely to remain robust over the medium term, despite any small- or medium-sized acquisition for inorganic growth. Size and funding of such acquisitions will continue to be monitored. Additionally, liquidity is likely to remain robust at over Rs 500 crore in the medium term.

Weaknesses
* High dependence on the cyclical domestic tractor market and limited presence in South and West India: About 96% of the volume of tractor sales is derived from the domestic market. Demand for tractors in India is determined by multiple variables, such as monsoon, crop prices, and availability of finance. For instance, operating performance was constrained in fiscals 2015 and 2016 due to a slowdown in the tractor industry, leading to a fiscal-on-fiscal volume decline of 13.3% and 13.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the group has limited presence in its opportunity markets (with market share of 3.7% in South India and 9.5% in West India in fiscal 2018). Limited geographic diversity has led to loss of market share during cyclical downturns.

* Weak, though improving, performance of the CE segment
The performance of the CE segment, which accounts for 15% of overall revenue, has improved: earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were Rs 7.7 crore in the first six months of fiscal 2019. The division has been loss-making in the past due to high fixed costs and cyclical nature of the business. EBIT loss was 4-5% in the three fiscals through 2017, which has improved to 1.9% and 1.6% in fiscal 2018 and the first six months of fiscal 2019, respectively. The turnaround is led by a change in the product mix (increasing proportion of higher tonnage equipment) and cost rationalisation initiatives with vendor rationalisation and price renegotiation. The margin is expected to gradually improve to 3-4% over the medium term. However, this business has high input costs, is considerably fixed-cost intensive, and faces competition and economic challenges. Furthermore, despite the turnaround and improvement in profitability, the operating margin is still lower than that of peers (6-8%). While the segment has been able to bring down losses, sustenance of growth and improved profitability will remain a key monitorable.

* Susceptibility of profitability to volatility in raw material prices: The price of the main input (steel, in the CE segment) is volatile. Profitability is also constrained by the limited ability to pass on any increase in raw material costs to customers in a timely manner, given the competitive nature of the industry.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that Escorts' business profile will benefit from improving market position in agri-equipment and performance of construction equipment segment in the medium term while maintaining its strong financial risk profile and liquidity position.

Upside Scenario:
* Improvement in its market position in the tractor industry on a sustained basis, and increases the diversification of its revenue profile or
* Sustenance of improved operating performance of construction equipment segment and
* Maintains its solid financial risk profile and robust liquidity position

Downside Scenario:
* Weakening of market position in the tractor business considerably
* Sizeable debt funding capex or acquisition, materially impacting key credit metrics
* Material reduction in liquid surplus position.

Liquidity
Escorts has strong liquidity driven by expected healthy annual cash accruals of Rs. 400-500 crore and cash and equivalents of Rs. 612 crore as on September 30, 2018. The firm also has minimal average bank limit utilisation of 13% (limit of Rs 309 crore for 12 months ended September 30, 2018). The company has minimal dependence on external debt. CRISIL expects internal accruals, cash & cash equivalents and unutilized bank lines to be sufficient to meet its repayment obligations as well as incremental capex and working capital requirements.

About the Company

Mr H P Nanda started the Escorts group through Escorts Agents in 1944 in Lahore, and moved to Delhi after independence. Escorts Agents was converted into a public limited company, named Escorts Agents Private Limited. The company got its current name (Escorts Ltd) in January 1960. Escorts currently operates in three segments: tractors, CE, and railway equipment. It had also diversified into other products, such as agricultural machinery, auto components, railway equipment, industrial and construction equipment, telecommunication equipment, healthcare, and software services. However, some of its non-core businesses, such as telecommunications (sold Escotel Communications in fiscal 2004), healthcare (sold Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre in fiscal 2005), software (in fiscal 2005), and auto components (in fiscal 2017) have been divested. EL also merged Escorts Construction Equipment Ltd, Escotrac Finance and Investments Pvt Ltd, and Escorts Finance and Leasing Pvt Ltd with itself in 2012.

The company is managed by third-generation family member, Mr Nikhil Nanda, who is the chairman and managing director.

It has six manufacturing facilities in Faridabad (Haryana) and Poland. Total annual capacity is 1 lakh tractors and 10,000 units in construction equipment.

For the six months ended September 30, 2018, net profit was Rs 223.4 crore on revenue of Rs 2,948.7 crore, against net profit Rs 140.2 crore on revenue of Rs 2,403.4 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars/ ending March 31, Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 5,067 4,152
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 347 131
PAT Margin % 6.8 3.1
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.05 0.61
Interest coverage Times 19.84 9.83

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 Commercial Paper Programme NA NA 7 to 365 Days 100 CRISIL A1+
NA Working Capital Facility NA NA NA 309 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Jun-2019 20 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Non-Fund Based Limit NA NA NA 321 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 79 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 116 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Proposed Term Loan NA NA NA 155 CRISIL AA-/Stable
 
Annexure - Details of Consolidation
Fully Consolidated Entities
Escorts Finance Ltd, Escorts Asset Management, Escorts Securities Limited, Escorts Benefit and Welfare Trust, Farmtrac Tractors Europe Spolka, Escorts Crop Solutions Limited, Harith Raithu Mithra Agri Services LLP, Revanpalli Raytu Sangam Agri Services LLP, Baba Chadaneswar Agri Services LLP, Pancha Sakha Agri Services LLP, and Jagannath Agri Services LLP

Proportionately consolidated entities
Adico Escorts Agri Equipment Pvt Limited and Escorts Consumer Credit Limited
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  100.00  CRISIL A1+  16-11-18  CRISIL A1+    --    --    --  -- 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  679.00  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+    --    --    --    --  -- 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  321.00  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
Working Capital Facility 309 CRISIL AA-/Stable -- 0 --
Term Loan 20 CRISIL AA-/Stable -- 0 --
Proposed Term Loan 155 CRISIL AA-/Stable -- 0 --
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 79 CRISIL A1+ -- 0 --
Non-Fund Based Limit 321 CRISIL A1+ -- 0 --
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 116 CRISIL AA-/Stable -- 0 --
Total 1000 -- Total 0 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Tractor 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