Rating Rationale
June 27, 2019 | Mumbai
Gloster Limited
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.150 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+
 
Rs.50 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper of Gloster Limited (Gloster; Part of Gloster group) continues to reflect the Gloster group's established presence in the jute industry, supported by its diversified product portfolio and healthy relationships with customers; efficient working capital management; and strong financial risk profile because of large networth, low gearing, robust debt protection metrics; and comfortable liquidity. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to risks related to the regulated nature of the jute industry and to easy availability of cheaper substitutes, and susceptibility of operating profitability to volatility in raw jute prices.

CRISIL on April 27, 2019 had upgraded its ratings on the short-term bank facilities and commercial paper of Gloster to 'CRISIL A1+' from 'CRISIL A1', and reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A+/Stable' rating on the company's long-term bank facilities.

The upgrade reflected the Gloster group's better-than-expected performance, with increase in operating profitability leading to higher cash accrual, and hence, better liquidity. The improvement in the operating margin is likely to sustain over the medium term as a result of gradual modernisation of capacity resulting in better operational efficiency, and increased contribution of value-added products that have better realisation. Operating margin improved to 19.44% in fiscal 2018 from 14.5% in fiscal 2017, and is estimated at 17-18% for fiscal 2019.

Higher profitability led to estimated cash accrual of Rs 63 crore in fiscal 2019 (Rs 65.92 crore in fiscal 2018 and Rs 54.2 crore in fiscal 2017). The group had quoted investment of Rs 73.35 crore (Total investment of Rs 174.62 crore) as on March 31, 2018. Hence, dependence on bank limit in the 12 months ended January 2019 was negligible, enhancing financial flexibility. However, utilisation of liquid funds will remain a key rating sensitivity factor.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Gloster and its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Gloster Lifestyle Ltd and Gloster Specialities Ltd. All the entities are collectively referred to as the Gloster group.

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:
* Established presence in the jute industry, supported by diversified product portfolio
The Gloster group manufactures jute and jute-blended products, with continued focus on value-added segments. The group's product profile can be classified into hessian, yarn, traditional jute products, and value-added products such as floor coverings, geotextiles, processed decorative and industrial fabrics, food-grade jute cloth and bags, agro-textiles, furnishing fabrics, lifestyle products, woven and non-woven made ups, jute nets and mats, fabrics treated for retarding fire and microbial attacks, and hydrocarbon-free jute bags. The group has added products such as laminated jute fabrics, cotton treated for different end uses, coated fabrics for soft luggage, coated molleton fabrics, yarn, and non-woven products of certified organic jute. The group is a one-stop shop for all kinds of jute products. It also exports to countries across the globe. The management regularly introduces new products to keep pace with changing demand.
 
* Strong financial risk profile
Networth is estimated to have increased to Rs 590 crore as on March 31, 2019, from Rs 552.9 crore as on March 31, 2018, backed by steady accretion to reserves, sizeable revenue, and healthy profitability. Also, financial policy is conservative, with peak gearing over the seven years ended 2019 being low at 0.69 time (0.05 time estimated as on March 31, 2019) because of healthy accrual and limited debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) for technology upgrade and replacement of old machinery. The capex is generally funded through internal accrual.
 
Weaknesses:
* Exposure to risk related to the regulated nature of the jute industry, and easy availability of cheaper substitutes
The domestic jute industry is highly regulated by the government, especially in key areas such as jute pricing and sales. The minimum support price (MSP) for raw jute announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to prop up jute prices and ensure security for farmers varies from state to state and with jute variety, thereby affecting end-price of jute products.
 
Also, under the aegis of the Jute Packaging Material (Compulsory use in Packaging Commodities) Act (JPMA), 1987, the government has made it mandatory to use only jute bags for packaging sugar and food grains for consignments of 26-100 kilo gram (kg). This regulation is the key growth driver for the jute industry. Consumer packs of 25 kg and below, and packing of food grains and sugar for export are exempted from this act. However, the conditions of the Act are often diluted because of availability of substitutes in the form of plastic bags, which are 30-50% cheaper than jute bags. Besides, the government occasionally permits reuse of jute sacks for storage of food grains, thus affecting sales of new jute sacks. Additionally, the government is the largest consumer of jute sacks in the domestic market, accounting for nearly 60% of demand. However, the JPMA Act has been provisionally revised to 100% for food grains till the end of April 2019, after which, the government will decide whether to continue or not. This decision will be a key sensitivity factor.
Liquidity

Liquidity of the group is healthy marked by estimated accruals of around Rs 63 crore in fiscal 2019 against modest repayment of around Rs 1.28 crore. Further bank limits of Rs 80 crore has been used at an average of below 15% in last 12 months through January, 2019. Bank limit utilisation has been continuously decreasing from 65% in CY 2009, 54% in CY 2016 and 17% in CY 17. Further the group has quoted investments of Rs 73.35 crore as on March 31, 2018 and estimated at above 80 crore as on March 31, 2019. Current ratio was healthy at 4.1 times as on March 31, 2019 and estimated at ~6.8 as on March 31, 2019.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the Gloster group will maintain its established market position in the jute industry over the medium term backed by its diversified and value-added product portfolio and established ties with customers. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if there is a substantial and sustained increase in revenue while operating profitability margin remains stable and financial risk profile strong. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if operating profitability drops sharply or if capital structure and liquidity weaken because of large, debt-funded capex or any regulatory change in the jute sector.

About the Group

Incorporated in 1992, Gloster manufactures jute products including value-added diversified products. Its factory is at Bauria, Howrah (West Bengal). Gloster, promoted by the Bangur family, is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The company's operations are managed by a professional team reporting to the chairman, Mr Hemant Bangur. Gloster manufactures conventional jute products such as hessian, sacking, twine, and yarn, and is the pioneer in manufacturing woven and non-woven fabrics, jute geotextiles, and value-added products for interior decoration and packaging of industrial and agricultural products. Apart from traditional products, the company has started manufacturing lifestyle products, including shopping and promotional bags under the Gloster Lifestyle brand.

Gloster Lifestyle Ltd is involved in manufacturing textiles business. The Gross revenue of the Company stood at Rs 55.49 lakhs (previous year Rs 69.52 lakhs) and profit after tax for the year stood at Rs 45.55 lakhs (previous year Rs 46.45lakhs) in fiscal 2018.

Gloster Specialities Ltd is a manufacture of wearing apparels. The gross revenue of the company stood at Rs 59.23 lakhs (previous year Rs 62.26 lakhs) and profit after tax for the year stood at Rs 43.36 lakhs (previous year Rs 43.28 lakhs) in fiscal 2018.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs Cr. 466.13 508.63
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr. 42 34.9
PAT Margin % 9.01 6.86
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.03 0.19
Interest coverage Times 75.94 20.7

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 Cash Credit NA NA NA 77 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Long-Term Loan NA NA Mar-2020 1.66 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Working Capital Demand Loan NA NA NA 13 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Proposed Long-Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 30.34 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 4 CRISIL A1+
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 24 CRISIL A1+
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 50 CRISIL A1+
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Entity Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Gloster Lifestyle Ltd Full 100% owned subsidiary
Gloster Specialities Ltd Full 100% owned subsidiary
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
Commercial Paper  ST  50.00  CRISIL A1+  27-04-19  CRISIL A1+  30-04-18  CRISIL A1  10-04-17  CRISIL A1  14-03-16  CRISIL A1  CRISIL A1 
                    12-01-16  CRISIL A1   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  122.00  CRISIL A+/Stable  27-04-19  CRISIL A+/Stable  30-04-18  CRISIL A+/Stable  10-04-17  CRISIL A/Positive  14-03-16  CRISIL A/Stable  CRISIL A/Stable 
                    12-01-16  CRISIL A/Stable   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  28.00  CRISIL A1+  27-04-19  CRISIL A1+  30-04-18  CRISIL A1  10-04-17  CRISIL A1  14-03-16  CRISIL A1  CRISIL A1 
                    12-01-16  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 4 CRISIL A1+ Bank Guarantee 4 CRISIL A1+
Cash Credit 77 CRISIL A+/Stable Cash Credit 77 CRISIL A+/Stable
Letter of Credit 24 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit 20 CRISIL A1+
Long Term Loan 1.66 CRISIL A+/Stable Long Term Loan 1.66 CRISIL A+/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 30.34 CRISIL A+/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 34.34 CRISIL A+/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan 13 CRISIL A+/Stable Working Capital Demand Loan 13 CRISIL A+/Stable
Total 150 -- Total 150 --
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
Rating Criteria for Hybrid Capital instruments issued by banks under Basel II guidelines

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