Rating Rationale
June 22, 2020 | Mumbai
Gadre Marine Export Private Limited
Ratings removed on 'Watch Negative'; Ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.420 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A/Negative (Removed from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications'; Rating Reaffirmed) 
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Removed from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications'; Rating Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its ratings on the bank facilities of Gadre Marine Export Private Limited (GMEPL; a part of the Gadre Marine group) from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications' and reaffirmed it at 'CRISIL A/CRISIL A1'.  A 'Negative' outlook has been assigned to the long-term bank facilities.
 
The ratings were placed on 'watch with negative implications' on March 24, 2020, because of ongoing disruption in the group's business owing to economic slowdown across the globe as an impact of Covid-19. Lockdown imposed by the governments worldwide to curb the spread of the pandemic led to low demand from key overseas markets and severely disrupted raw material supply domestically. CRISIL has now removed the rating from 'watch' as demand, especially retail/home consumption has shown strong traction in the last two months amid easing of the lockdown in some overseas markets. Further, though the supply constraint remained because of ban on fishing activity, the higher stock maintained during March 2020 has enabled the group to meet the demand for the last two months.
 
The 'Negative' outlook reflects possibility of slower-than-expected recovery in operating performance in fiscal 2021, driven by negligible demand revival and/or limited fish supply because of lower sea catch or extended fishing ban.
 
The ratings continue to factor in the group's above-average financial risk profile, an established market position in surimi seafood products and a healthy and diversified customer base built under an experienced management team. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to inherent volatility in fish supply (sea catch) and hence prices, exposure to adverse foreign exchange rates and to changes in government regulations, and large working capital requirement.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of GMEPL, its subsidiary and marketing arm, Gadre Marine Asia Pvt Ltd (GMAPL), and Gadre Marine Export (GME). That is because all these entities, collectively referred to herein as the Gadre Marine group, have common promoters, operate in similar lines of business, and have operational and financial linkages.

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

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Above-average financial risk profile
The financial risk profile should remain healthy, despite continuous capital expenditure (capex), driven by healthy accretion to reserve. Networth increased to an estimated Rs 435 crore as on March 31, 2020, from Rs 301 crore as on March 31, 2017. Gearing and total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratio remained comfortable at 0.90 time and 1.28 times, respectively, as on March 31, 2020. Despite the large capex in recent past (about Rs 150 crore; debt-funded to the extent of Rs 92 crore) for the new surimi facility at Mangaluru special economic zone, the capital structure has not weakened given the strong cash flow. Debt protection metrics moderated due to a dip in the operating performance in fiscal 2020, but remained adequate, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios at 2.13 times and 0.09 time, respectively, in fiscal 2020.
 
* Established market position in surimi seafood products business and a diverse clientele
The group was one of the early entrants into the surimi business in India and over the past two decades, it has established itself as the largest Indian exporter of the surimi products and among the leading players in the segment across the globe. The group has continuously enhanced capacities and scaled up operations, as reflected in a compound annual growth rate of about 7% during the five fiscals through 2020. It has multi-location plants at Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), Chorwad (Gujarat), and Mangaluru (Karnataka) and an established procurement network across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Most of the products are exported to various customers in diverse countries, primarily Japan, South East and Far East Asian countries, the US, and European countries.
 
The group's performance was impacted from mid of February 2020 because of the global pandemic; however, it revived from April 2020 as its products fall under essentials. Demand for surimi analogue products revived with increasing retail demand for home consumption. Further, the logistics issues have been taken care of, which would enable the group to record revenue of over Rs 150 crore in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 despite the pandemic impact. Revival in demand and availability of fish supply remain critical for subsequent ramp-up and will be closely monitored.
 
Weaknesses
* Exposure to volatility in fish supply (sea catch) and prices, and to government regulations
The seafood processing industry is exposed to supply side risks such as sufficient availability of fish plays an important role in determining revenue and profitability. The group's procurement is from sea catch, which can fluctuate based on sea fish landings, number of available fishing days (due to monsoon, fishing bans), and natural conditions/calamities. Operations are also exposed to changes in government regulations in relation to fishing and regulations in overseas destinations. Despite its strong presence in the surimi business, there is competition from other foreign players from Vietnam, China, and the US, which could exert pricing pressure.
 
* Large working capital requirement
Gross current assets have been 107-163 days during the five fiscals ended March 31, 2020. Moderate receivables of 45-60 days, inventory of 30-60 days, and limited credit available to the group on procurement leads to moderately large working capital requirement. The group had higher inventory stock at year-end of 2020 because of stopped shipments and processed surimi during season. This stock is being liquidated currently, which would help meet customer demand amid ongoing fishing ban.
Liquidity Adequate

Cash accrual is healthy vis-a-vis scheduled debt repayment, and bank limit utilisation is moderate. Cash accrual is expected at Rs 60-75 crore per fiscal over the medium term, against yearly maturing debt of Rs 37-42 crore. Utilisation of the fund-based working capital bank lines of Rs 228 crore (Rs 210 crore in GMEPL and Rs 18 crore GME) averaged about 88% during the 12 months through April 2020. Further, the group had free cash and cash equivalents of about Rs 33 crore, liquid investment of Rs 12.7 crore, and a healthy current ratio at over 1.23 times as on March 31, 2020. Also, controlled gearing offers substantial financial flexibility.

Outlook: Negative

The Gadre Marine group should continue to benefit from its strong market position in the surimi business. Further, the financial metrics should remain healthy because of substantial cash accrual.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
* Substantial and sustainable increase in revenue and operating profitability, leading to consistent cash accrual of more than Rs 90 crore per fiscal
* Consistently strong financial and liquidity risk profiles

Downward Factors
* Steep decline in revenue and/or profitability, resulting in cash accrual of less than Rs 50 crore per fiscal
* Large, debt-funded capex or a significant stretch in the working capital cycle.

About the Group

GMEPL was incorporated in 1994, promoted by the Ratnagiri-based Mr Deepak Gadre and his family members. The company manufactures and exports seafood products such as surimi (Japanese term for minced fish) and surimi analogue products. It has surimi processing facilities at Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Mr Deepak Gadre (chairman) and his son, Mr Arjun Gadre (managing director) are the promoters.
 
GMAPL is a Hong-Kong-based subsidiary and marketing arm of GMEPL. Sales to Japan, China, Thailand, and few other Far East Asian countries are routed through GMAPL for operational and regulatory convenience.
 
GME was set up in 1978 as a proprietorship firm of Mr Deepak Gadre. It undertakes processing of various types of raw fish at its facility in Ratnagiri.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs.Crore 1184.6 1164
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 43.12 88.48
PAT Margins % 3.6 7.6
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.74 0.65
Interest coverage Times 4.96 13.22

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 N.A. 3 CRISIL A1
NA Foreign Currency Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-2022 29.5 CRISIL A/Negative
NA Foreign Letter of Credit NA NA NA 25 CRISIL A/Negative
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 183 CRISIL A1
NA Standby Line of Credit NA NA NA 27 CRISIL A/Negative
NA Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-2024 142.5 CRISIL A/Negative
NA Rupee Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-2024 10 CRISIL A/Negative
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Entity consolidated Extent of consolidation Rationale
GMEPL Full consolidation -
GMAPL Full consolidation Subsidiary and marketing arm
GME Full consolidation Associate
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  392.00  CRISIL A/Negative/ CRISIL A1  24-03-20  CRISIL A/Watch Negative/ CRISIL A1/Watch Negative  27-12-19  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1      31-07-17  Withdrawal/ Withdrawal (Issuer Not Co-operating)*  CRISIL BBB+/Stable/ CRISIL A2 
            11-01-19  CRISIL A/Positive/ CRISIL A1           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  28.00  CRISIL A/Negative/ CRISIL A1  24-03-20  CRISIL A/Watch Negative/ CRISIL A1/Watch Negative  27-12-19  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1      31-07-17  Withdrawal (Issuer Not Co-operating)*  CRISIL A2 
            11-01-19  CRISIL A/Positive/ 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
Bank Guarantee 3 CRISIL A1 Bank Guarantee 3 CRISIL A1/Watch Negative
Foreign Currency Term Loan 29.5 CRISIL A/Negative Foreign Currency Term Loan 29.5 CRISIL A/Watch Negative
Foreign Letter of Credit 25 CRISIL A/Negative Foreign Letter of Credit 25 CRISIL A/Watch Negative
Packing Credit 183 CRISIL A1 Packing Credit 183 CRISIL A1/Watch Negative
Rupee Term Loan 10 CRISIL A/Negative Rupee Term Loan 10 CRISIL A/Watch Negative
Standby Line of Credit 27 CRISIL A/Negative Standby Line of Credit 27 CRISIL A/Watch Negative
Term Loan 142.5 CRISIL A/Negative Term Loan 142.5 CRISIL A/Watch Negative
Total 420 -- Total 420 --
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
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
The Rating Process

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