Rating Rationale
April 30, 2019 | Mumbai
Gharda Chemicals Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL AA/Stable'; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.405 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL AA-/Positive')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facility of Gharda Chemicals Limited (Gharda) to 'CRISIL AA/Stable' from 'CRISIL AA-/Positive', while reaffirming the short-term rating at 'CRISIL A1+'.
 
The rating upgrade reflects CRISIL's belief that Gharda will sustain the improvement in business risk and remain healthy over the medium term, while maintaining strong credit metrics. CRISIL also notes the presence of experienced professional management in each business function.
 
Revenue is estimated to have grown by 15% in fiscal 2019, whereas the operating margin improved to over 30% from 29.3% in fiscal 2018. The strong performance was aided by firm product realisations and healthy demand in export markets. Product prices, which had surged due to capacity shut downs in China, have begun to gradually soften and will result in moderation in revenue growth and profitability.
 
Nonetheless, Gharda's revenue may rise at a compound annual growth rate of 7-9% over the medium term, supported by scaling up of new capacities, steady product pipeline and sustained export demand. Operating margin is expected stabilise and remain healthy at over 22%. Gharda has planned a large capital expenditure (capex) of over Rs 300 crore in fiscal 2020 towards capacity increase and backward integration. Strong cash accrual, resulting from healthy profitability, will be utilised to fund this capex and consequently the financial risk profile will remain strong.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Gharda Chemicals and its subsidiaries which include Gujarat Insecticides Ltd (GIL; rated 'CRISIL A+/Stable/CRISIL A1'), Gharda Chemicals International Inc., Gharda Australia Pty Ltd and Gharda Generics Inc., as all the entities are in the same business.

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:
* Leading manufacturer of agrochemicals, with diversified revenue
Gharda is one of the leading companies in the Indian agrochemicals industry, with an established presence in the technical segment, while offering formulations and intermediates as well. Gharda derives over 60% of sales from exports and has presence in over 50 countries, with no substantial concentration in any one country, thus mitigating the impact of monsoon vagaries on overall business performance. The product portfolio comprises molecules such as chlorpyriphos, cypermethrin, alphamethrin, deltamethrin, dicamba and fipronil; intermediates such as cypermethric acid chloride, and veterinary drugs, such as oxyclozanide and refoxanide. In the last three years, contributions from select products have increased significantly driven by higher demand and tie up with large MNC. Nonetheless, strong research capabilities and steady pipeline of new products, presence of multi-purpose plants and diversified geographic presence will continue to support the business.
 
* Strong process development capabilities
Strong research capabilities and process development skills, and solid focus on reverse engineering of off-patent molecules, helped develop low-cost alternative processes, identify cheap indigenous raw material, steadily increase yield, and achieve the highest purity levels in the industry, and thus, act as key differentiators.
 
* Strong financial risk profile
Financial risk profile is strong, driven by a healthy capital structure and debt protection metrics, which are in turn supported by large networth, low debt and healthy cash accrual. Gharda and its subsidiary, GIL, have planned a large capex of above Rs 300 crore in fiscal 2020 towards setting up capacities for new products that will help Gharda in backward integration while GIL's capex spend will be towards setting up facilities for the new products. Gharda may not take on significant debt to fund the capex resulting in sustenance of healthy capital structure and debt protection metrics. Gearing should remain below 0.10 time over the medium term.
 
Weaknesses:
* Large working capital requirement
Operations are likely to remain working capital intensive, which is typical of the agrochemicals sector. Gross current asset are estimated 255 days for fiscal 2019. Considering the steady growth prospects, prudent working capital management will remain critical to sustain the healthy financial risk profile.
 
* Vulnerability to risks inherent in the crop protection sector
The agrochemical industry remains exposed to risks such as irregular monsoon, and volatility in farm income, and subject to specific registration processes in different countries, and various environmental rules and regulations. Any ban on key products will also pose a threat to business of agro-inputs players including Gharda.
Liquidity

Gharda has ample liquidity driven by expected cash accruals of more than Rs.450 crore per annum in fiscal 2020 and 2021 and cash and cash equivalents estimated at Rs 250 crore as on March 31, 2019. Cera also has access to fund based limits of Rs 315 crore, which had negligible utilisation over the 12 months ended January 2019. The company has not availed of any term loans however has outlaid a large capex of Rs 300 crore in fiscal 2020. CRISIL believes the company has sufficient accruals and cash and cash equivalents to finance its capex requirements. With an estimated gearing of less than 0.05 time estimated as of March 31, 2019, Gharda has sufficient headroom, to raise additional debt for its capex. Its unutilized bank lines are more than adequate to meet its incremental working capital.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Gharda will continue to benefit from an established market position in the domestic and overseas markets, and strong process skills. Gharda is also expected to maintain the strong financial risk profile, supported by healthy profitability and cash generation, and low reliance on debt albeit large capex plans.
 
Upward scenarios
* Significant and sustainable growth in revenue, while improving diversity and maintaining healthy profitability
* Sustenance of strong financial risk profile
 
Downward scenarios 
* Steep decline in revenue or profitability
* Deterioration in capital structure due to considerable stretch in the working capital cycle and or any large, debt-funded capex/acquisition
 
Change in the top management and the consequent impact on the business will continue to be rating sensitivity factors.

About the Company

GCL, incorporated in 1967, acquired the business of a partnership firm set up by the promoters to manufacture dyes and dye intermediaries. The company diversified into the agrochemicals business in the late 1970s. Dr. Keki Gharda, the chairman and managing director, is the key decision maker. Pigments and polymer chemicals, also account for a small share of revenue.
 
GIL was set up in 1980, as a 51:49 joint venture between Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd, Ahmedabad (a Government of Gujarat enterprise), and GCL, Mumbai. GIL manufactures intermediaries and technical grade pesticides. In August 1996, GCL and Gharda Investment Syndicate purchased the entire holdings of Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd. In fiscal 2015, pursuant to resolution of Board of Directors, 44% stake held by Gharda Investment Syndicate in GIL was transferred to GCL, thus making GIL the wholly owned subsidiary of Gharda Chemicals.

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 2,615 1,944
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 446 228
PAT margin % 17.0 11.7
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.03 0.03
Interest coverage Times 171.38 801.91

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 Coupon rate (%) Date of allotment Date of redemption Issue size
(Rs.Crore)
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Fund-Based Facilities* NA NA NA 275 CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Export Packing Credit NA NA NA 40 CRISIL A1+
NA Letter of Credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 90 CRISIL A1+
*Fully interchangeable between cash credit facility, working capital demand loan, packing credit, and bill discounting
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Name of Subsidiaires  Quantum consolidated
GIL Full
Gharda Chemicals International Inc Full
Gharda Australia Pty Ltd Full
Gharda Generics Inc Full
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  315.00  CRISIL AA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+      24-08-18  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ CRISIL A1+  29-03-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable      CRISIL AA-/Stable 
            29-06-18  CRISIL AA-/Positive           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  90.00  CRISIL A1+      24-08-18  CRISIL A1+  29-03-17  CRISIL A1+      CRISIL A1+ 
            29-06-18  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
Export Packing Credit 40 CRISIL A1+ Export Packing Credit 40 CRISIL A1+
Fund-Based Facilities* 275 CRISIL AA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities* 275 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 90 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 90 CRISIL A1+
Total 405 -- Total 405 --
*Fully interchangeable between cash credit facility, working capital demand loan, packing credit, and bill discounting
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 Chemical Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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