Rating Rationale
November 29, 2017 | Mumbai
GNA Axles Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; short-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL A1' 
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.180 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A-/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Upgraded from 'CRISIL A2+')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long-term bank facilities of GNA Axles Ltd (GNA) to 'Positive' from 'Stable', and reaffirmed the rating at 'CRISIL A-', and has upgraded the rating on the short-term facilities to 'CRISIL A1' from 'CRISIL A2+'
 
The outlook revision reflects CRISIL's belief that GNA's business risk profile will benefit over the medium term backed by proposed ramp-up of manufacturing capability for which the company is undertaking significant capital expenditure (capex), largely funded through initial public offering (IPO) proceeds. Capex of Rs 100 crore spread over two phases in fiscals 2018 and 2019 will help GNA cater to the passenger vehicle segment, wherein the company foresees healthy demand from North America and from its existing key customer Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'). Operating revenue which had muted growth in fiscal 2017 because of slowdown in North America (which contributed 15% to revenue in fiscal 2017 against 25% in the previous fiscal), rose 11% in the first half of fiscal 2018 over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The growth was primarily because of increasing sales in overseas markets. However, large export stretches the debtor cycle, as the company provides extended credit to key export customer Meritor Inc (accounts for 43% of export). Also, the company had sizeable debtors of more than 6 months of Rs 20.67 crore as on March 31, 2017, against Rs 8.33 crore a year earlier. Though increase in capacity, rising demand from existing customers, and penetration in new geographies is likely to support revenue growth, the extent and sustenance of growth will be key monitorables. CRISIL believes balanced growth in domestic and overseas markets will help control working capital cycle.
 
The upgrade of the short-term rating is on account of expected healthy cash accrual of Rs 55-70 crore against debt obligation of Rs 18.4 crore annually. Healthy accrual resulted in moderate bank line utilisation of 71% over the 18 months through September 2017, despite large working capital requirement. Generation of adequate cash accrual, post meeting the debt obligation, should help reduce dependence on creditors, and thus improve working capital management. Healthy build-up in unencumbered liquid surplus (Rs 53.71 crore as on September 30, 2017) is likely to support GNA's capex plan till fiscal 2019.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established relationships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and diversified geographical presence
GNA came into operations in 1993. Since inception, the company has been dealing with major OEMs and has been supplying to a broad customer base both in India and abroad (it has presence in 13 countries across 5 continents) with domestic and international sales accounting for 55% and 45%, respectively, of revenue. Longstanding and established relationships of over a decade have resulted in increasing demand for GNA's products. Its top 5 customers contribute 67% to revenue from the domestic market and 91% from the international market. Despite, customer concentration risk inherent in the business, established relationships ensure assured sales while diversified geographical presence mitigates the impact of slowdown in any particular region.
 
* Leading market position in the off-highway segment
While its products are used in on-highway and off-highway vehicles, GNA is the market leader in the off-highway segment, and meets 80% of rear axle shaft requirement of OEMs in India, primarily because of longstanding associations with all major OEMs. Furthermore, to leverage its business relationships, GNA plans capex to tap the passenger vehicle segment, thus diversifying its end-user segment. However, the project is at a nascent stage. CRISIL believes successful penetration in the passenger vehicle segment will support revenue growth and strengthen business risk profile.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile
Networth was healthy at Rs 284 crore as on March 31, 2017, up from Rs 136 crore a year earlier, driven by IPO proceeds and sustained accretion to reserves. Consequently, total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratio improved to 0.99 time from over 2 times. Planned capex of Rs 100 crore will be funded in a prudent mix of debt and equity, keeping capital structure comfortable. Debt protection metrics have improved significantly, with interest coverage ratio at 6.66 times in fiscal 2017 against 5 times in the previous fiscal, driven by reduction in interest rate post listing. With healthy accretion to reserves, improving working capital cycle, and limited debt, the financial risk profile should improve over the medium term.
 
Weakness
* Working capital-intensive operations
Gross current assets were at 230 days (excluding cash and bank balance) as on March 31 2017, primarily because of large inventory of 93 days and longer credit period in the overseas market, resulting in receivables of 128 days. The company funds part of the working capital requirement through considerable credit from suppliers (payables of 179 days as on March 31, 2017). Generation of healthy accrual should help reduce dependence on creditors. Effective management of working capital amid significant ramp-up in operations will remain a key monitorable.
 
* Susceptibility to volatile raw material prices
Long operating cycle and sizeable product portfolio necessitate large inventory of 80-90 days. The price of steel, the basic raw material, is volatile and affected by the global macroeconomic scenario. The large inventory exposes GNA to adverse movements in raw material price.
Outlook: Positive

CRISIL believes GNA will benefit from its proven track record in manufacturing axles and will benefit from leveraging its longstanding and established relationships with OEMs for diversifying its end-user segments. The ratings may be upgraded if there is above-average revenue growth and improvement in working capital cycle, with continued healthy profitability. The outlook may be revised to 'Stable' if decline in profitability, stretch in working capital cycle, or larger-than-expected capex weakens the financial risk profile.

About the Company

Established in 1993, GNA manufactures rear axle shafts, spindles, and spindle shafts for OEMs and tier-1 suppliers. The company is a leading manufacturer of axles in India, with installed capacity of 35 lakh axles per annum. GNA is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31   2017 2016
Revenue Rs crore 513.41 508.52
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 28.19 25.5
PAT margin % 5.49 5.01
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.41 1.02
Interest coverage Times 6.66 5.08

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 Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 0.5 CRISIL A1
NA Cash Credit* NA NA NA 100 CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 15.0 CRISIL A1
NA Term Loan NA NA Mar-21 44.62 CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Proposed Long-Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 19.88 CRISIL A-/Positive
*Interchangeable with Packing credit in foreign currency upto Rs.60 cr
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2017 (History) 2016  2015  2014  Start of 2014
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  164.5  CRISIL A-/Positive    No Rating Change  31-12-16  CRISIL A-/Stable  20-07-15  CRISIL BBB+/Stable    No Rating Change  CRISIL BBB/Stable 
            18-10-16  Suspended           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  15.5  CRISIL A1    No Rating Change  31-12-16  CRISIL A2+  20-07-15  CRISIL A2    No Rating Change  CRISIL A3+ 
            18-10-16  Suspended           
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 .5 CRISIL A1 Bank Guarantee .5 CRISIL A2+
Cash Credit* 100 CRISIL A-/Positive Cash Credit 40 CRISIL A-/Stable
Letter of Credit 15 CRISIL A1 Export Packing Credit 40 CRISIL A-/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 19.88 CRISIL A-/Positive Letter of Credit 10 CRISIL A2+
Term Loan 44.62 CRISIL A-/Positive Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 8.5 CRISIL A-/Stable
-- 0 -- Term Loan 81 CRISIL A-/Stable
Total 180 -- Total 180 --
*Interchangeable with Packing credit in foreign currency upto Rs.60 cr
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 Auto Component Suppliers
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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