Rating Rationale
February 08, 2018 | Mumbai
Force Motors Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.420 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.190 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.200 Crore Commercial Paper Programme  CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities and CP programmes of Force Motors Limited (FML) at 'CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'.
 
Revenue is expected to grow at 7'9% in fiscal 2018 and at annual rate of 10-12% thereafter driven by reviving demand, new product launches and continued healthy growth in auto component business. Established position in light commercial vehicle (LCV) passenger segment, focus on expanding product portfolio, healthy growth outlook for tractor and components for luxury cars improve revenue visibility. Operating margin is expected remain at 9-10% because of healthy capacity utilisation in the auto-component and tractor segments, apart from productivity enhancement initiatives. Consequently, cash accrual is likely to range at Rs 250 to 350 crore per annum over the medium. Given healthy cash accrual, FML's capex of Rs 300-400 crore per annum and working capital requirement over the medium term will be met through internal accruals. FML's financial risk profile continues to be healthy marked by low gearing (0.13 times as on March 31, 2017), healthy liquidity and strong debt protection metrics. Financial risk profile will remain healthy, supported by strong cash accruals and moderate capex plans.
 
The rating reflects leading market position in the LCV passenger segment in the domestic automobile (auto) market, and a diversified revenue profile. The rating also factors a healthy financial risk profile because of low debt and substantial cash surplus, and strong financial flexibility of the promoters and the promoters' stated intent to provide support to FML, should the need arise. These rating strengths are partially offset by a modest presence in the tractor segment, and susceptibility of revenue to the inherent cyclicality in demand in the auto industry.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Leading market position in the LCV passenger segment in the domestic auto market and a diversified revenue profile
The company focusses on the niche passenger segment of the overall LCV market (market share of 42.85% as on Mar 31, 2017), and more specifically in the market for LCVs with a maximum mass of five tonne (market share of around 70%). CRISIL believes the company will continue to benefit from its niche positioning in the auto OEM market, supported by steady introduction of new products and variants, and favourable demand outlook for the LCV segment.
 
Revenue streams are diverse, with auto (commercial vehicles and tractors) and auto-component businesses contributing around 63% and 37%, respectively, to revenue. This diversity has enabled the maintenance of stability in revenue over the three fiscals through fiscal 2017, despite sluggish demand in the domestic auto industry.
 
Furthermore, FML has entered into non-binding term sheet with Rolls Royce Power Systems AG (subsidiary of Rolls Royce Holdings Plc rated at BBB+/Stable/A-2 by S&P Global) for formation of joint venture (JV) to produce engines for power generation and railways segment in India and globally. CRISIL expects formation of this JV and its start of operations (expected in fiscal2019) will benefit FML's revenue diversity. With this new JV, FML is now associated with three major global automotive players - Mercedes Benz (division of Daimler AG), BMW AG and Rolls Royce Power Systems AG.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile
Minimal debt, along with sizeable networth (Rs 1520 crore as on March 31, 2017), has ensured a robust capital structure (gearing of 0.13 time) and strong debt protection metrics. Supported by healthy operating margin of 10.3% in fiscal 2017, net cash accrual improved to Rs 293 crore from Rs 256 crore in fiscal 2016. Liquidity is also healthy, as reflected in cash and cash equivalents of Rs 367 crore as on July 31, 2017, and completely unutilised working capital bank line of Rs 300 crore. Sizeable capex of around Rs 300-400 crore per annum is planned over the medium term for expanding capacity, increasing research and development, proposed new JV and to ensure compliance with emission norms. However, the capex is expected to be funded through internal cash accrual, thereby ensuring sustenance of the healthy financial risk profile over the medium term.
 
* Strong support from promoters through JHIPL
JHIPL, the holding company of Abhay Firodia Group holds 56.86% equity shares of FML. JHIPL has holdings in Bajaj group of companies -  Bajaj Auto Ltd, Bajaj Holdings& Investment Ltd, and Bajaj Finserve Ltd with significant market value. This provides strong financial flexibility to the group including FML.
 
Weakness
* Susceptibility to cyclicality in demand
In spite of a leading market position in select product categories, the company has a low market share in the high-volume LCV goods carriers category, where competitors like Tata Motors Ltd ('CRISIL AA/Positive/CRISIL A1+'), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and Ashok Leyland Ltd have established a strong presence. Furthermore, market share in the tractor market is modest, and vulnerable to intense competition from large players including M&M and Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd ('CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+'). CRISIL believes that these factors will constrain any significant improvement in scale of operations over the medium term.
 
The company is susceptible to inherent cyclicality in the domestic auto industry, and more particularly in the CV segment. The demand patterns in this industry have displayed cyclicality in the past, in line with industrial growth and consumer sentiments. Exposure to cyclicality inherent in the auto businesses is likely to persist over the medium term.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the business risk profile will continue to benefit from the leadership position in niche product segments, improving revenue diversity, and sustained operating profitability. Furthermore, the financial risk profile is expected to remain healthy in the medium term, despite the capex, because of healthy cash accrual, strong liquidity, and the financial flexibility of the Firodia group.
 
Upside scenario
* Better revenue diversity and substantial growth in the auto and auto-component businesses, and maintains profitability and return on capital employed.
 
Downside scenario
* Significant deterioration in profitability or larger-than-expected debt-funded capex or acquisitions

About the Company

Established in 1958, FML is the flagship company of the Pune, Maharashtra-based Abhay Firodia group. The company is a vertically integrated auto original equipment manufacturer of small and light CVs, multi-utility vehicles, and agricultural tractors; the auto segment currently contributes around 63% of revenue. In the auto-component business (around 37% of revenue), engines are assembled for Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd and BMW India Pvt Ltd. The primary brands in LCVs and multi-utility vehicles include Traveller, Trax, and Trump, while the brands in tractors are Balwan and Orchard.
 
The Abhay Firodia group is currently headed by Mr Abhaykumar Firodia (chairman at FML) and Mr Prasan Firodia (managing director). Other companies in the group include Jaya Hind Industries Ltd ('CRISIL A+/FAA-/Stable/CRISIL A1') and Jaya Hind Montupet Pvt Ltd ('CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+'); both these companies manufacture and supply aluminium cylinder heads, blocks, and other aluminium components to leading auto original equipment manufacturers.
 
In the nine months ended December 31, 2017, on standalone basis, PAT was Rs 86.35 crore on net sales of Rs 2387 crore, against PAT of Rs 125 crore on net sales of Rs 2231 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars for period ended March 31, Unit 2017 2016
Revenues Rs. Cr. 3105 3097
Profit After Tax Rs. Cr. 180 180
PAT Margin % 5.8 5.8
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.13 0.01
Interest coverage Times 63.7 80.17

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 Letter of Credit* NA NA NA 120.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 300.0 CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Commercial Paper Programme NA NA 7-365 days 200 CRISIL A1+
*Interchangeable Bank Guarantee
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
Commercial Paper  ST  200  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  27-12-16  CRISIL A1+    --  -- 
Fixed Deposits  FD      01-02-18  Withdrawal   No Rating Change  22-09-16  FAA+/Stable  27-02-15  FAA/Stable  -- 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  300  CRISIL AA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  22-09-16  CRISIL AA/Stable  27-02-15  CRISIL AA-/Stable  -- 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  120  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  27-02-15  CRISIL A1+  -- 
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
Cash Credit 300 CRISIL AA/Stable Bank Guarantee 20 CRISIL A1+
Letter of Credit* 120 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit 40 CRISIL A1+
-- 0 -- Proposed Cash Credit Limit 130 CRISIL AA/Stable
Total 420 -- Total 190 --
*Interchangeable Bank Guarantee
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 Commercial Vehicle Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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