Rating Rationale
May 28, 2024 | Mumbai
Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Private Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL AA/Stable'; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.270.3 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL AA/Stable (Upgraded from ‘CRISIL AA-/Stable’)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
Note: None of the Directors on CRISIL Ratings Limited’s Board are members of rating committee and thus do not participate in discussion or assignment of any ratings. The Board of Directors also does not discuss any ratings at its meetings.
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Pvt Ltd (HHPE) to ‘CRISIL AA/Stable’ from ‘CRISIL AA-/Stable’ and reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL A1+’ rating on the short-term bank facility.

 

The upgrade reflects a sustained improvement in the business risk profile of the company, supported by significant ramp-up in revenue and improvement in the operating profitability supported by economies of scale. Revenue growth is expected to be robust, supported by healthy order bookings from end customers. Furthermore, the financial risk profile remains strong on the back of healthy cash generation, improving capital structure amid nil debt and prudent cash flow management.

 

Operating income grew at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~20% over the three fiscals through fiscal 2024. Revenue is estimated at Rs 600 crore in fiscal 2024 (Rs 412 crore in the first nine months of fiscal 2024) compared to Rs 467 crore in the previous fiscal, which is 30% on-year growth. The growth was largely driven by improved volume offtake and increased demand for its key products, such as medium voltage (MV) drives and industrial uninterrupted power supply (UPS) from end-user industries. The operating margin has also improved to 13% estimated for full fiscal 2024, up from 11% in fiscal 2023, from better passthrough of input costs to customers and cost optimisation measures amid benefits of economies of scale. Operating performance shall continue to remain healthy with revenue growth estimated at 10-12% supported by strong order book and growing demand for its key products. The operating margin is expected to be stable at 12-13% amid economies of scale and controlled fixed costs.

 

The ratings continue to reflect the strong operational and need-based financial support provided by the parent, Hitachi Ltd (Hitachi; rated ‘A/Stable/A-1’ by S&P Global Ratings), and the established market position of HHPE in the power electronics industry. These rating strengths are partially offset by large working capital requirement and exposure to intense competition.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL Ratings has applied its parent notch-up criteria to factor in the operational, technological and need-based financial support that HHPE receives from Hitachi.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Strong support from the parent: HHPE receives operational, technical, and managerial support from its parent, Hitachi. The company benefits from strong presence of the Hitachi brand in the domestic market and strong business opportunities in the global market. Though the company has no major capital funding requirement, it is still likely to receive need-based financial support from the parent. It will remain critical to Hitachi, given the parent’s focus on development of the power electronics business in India.

 

  • Established market position: Backed by presence of nearly four decades in the power electronics industry, the company has established a healthy market position. Over the years, it has developed a diverse product portfolio comprising industrial UPS systems, drives, commercial UPS systems, and solar inverters. It has also forged healthy relationships with industry majors such as Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL; rated ‘CRISIL AAA/Stable/A1+), Larsen and Toubro Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), ABB India Ltd (ABB, rated 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd ('CRISIL AA-/Negative/CRISIL A1+'), Hindalco Industries Ltd, Reliance Industries Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+') among others.

 

  • Improved operating performance: Revenue grew at CAGR of almost ~10% over the last three fiscals and is estimated to touch ~Rs 600 crore in fiscal 2024. Going forward, the company is expected to achieve 10-12% on-year growth in revenue, supported by its leadership position in MV drives and industrial UPS segments and regular product launches. Operating margin grew steadily over the last few fiscals and is estimated to remain at 13% in fiscal 2024. Going forward, controlled fixed cost amid economies of scale is expected to keep the margin healthy at 12-13%.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Average financial risk profile: The financial risk profile remains modest due to average networth of Rs 245 crore estimated as on March 31, 2024. However, steady accretion to reserves will aid growth in networth. The financial risk profile is expected to improve because of nil debt and prudent working capital management. Gearing and total outside liabilities to tangible networth (TOLTNW) ratio remain comfortable at 0.13 time and 0.68 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2023, and is estimated to remain low as on March 31, 2024, as well. Interest coverage ratio is expected to be above 30 times in fiscal 2025, an improvement from 22 times in fiscal 2023.

 

The working capital cycle has improved with gross current asset days (GCA) of 187 days as on March 31, 2024, against previous highs of 200-300 days during fiscals 2021-2023. This was driven by timely collections from customers and prudent inventory management.

 

The on-going capex of Rs 60-65 crore, which is to be incurred over 2-3 years, is planned to be funded internally. With moderate capex and sustenance of improved profitability, the credit metrics are expected to improve further over the medium term.

 

  • Exposure to intense competition: The product portfolio of HHPE includes digital and commercial UPS, solar inverters and drives. The UPS segment faces competition from companies such as Vertiv India and Numeric UPS. Similarly, the drives and solar invertor segment has large players such as ABB, Siemens Ltd (‘CRISIL AAA/Stable), SMA Solar India Pvt Ltd, TMEIC Industrial Systems India Pvt Ltd and Schneider Electric Infrastructure Ltd, besides several unorganised players. Marketing support from Hitachi and the Hitachi brand should strengthen the market position of the company in the power electronics segment. However, intense competition may continue to restrict the ability to implement premium pricing or gain significant market share over the medium term.

Liquidity: Strong

Liquidity is driven by expectation of support from the parent in case of exigencies. On a standalone basis, HHPE has moderate liquidity. Cash and equivalent were modest at around Rs 32 crore as on March 31, 2024. Cash accrual of Rs 60-70 crore is expected per annum against nil term debt. Thus, internal accrual, cash and equivalent, and unutilised bank limit should comfortably cover incremental working capital requirement and moderate capex in fiscal 2025.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL Ratings believes HHPE will maintain a healthy credit risk profile, driven by strong support from the parent and gradual improvement in revenue and profitability. The financial risk profile is also expected to improve steadily.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward factors:

  • Substantial and sustained increase in revenue, while maintaining stable operating margin of 13-14%
  • Improvement in the financial risk profile with sustained improvement in the working capital cycle

 

Downward factors:

  • Downgrade in rating of the parent by one or more notches
  • Change in stance of support from the parent
  • Steep decline in revenue or dip in margin to 5-6%
  • Large, debt-funded expansion or stretch in the working capital cycle, weakening the credit metrics

About the Company

Incorporated in 1990, HHPE (formerly, Hi-Rel Electronics Pvt Ltd) manufactures single-phase and three-phase online UPS systems of up to 500 kilovolt amperes for the power, oil and gas, railways, and other industries. It also manufactures automation drives, variable frequency drives, rotary machine controls, industrial automation products and solar inverters.

About the parent

Hitachi, founded in 1910, is headquartered in Japan. It is one of the largest diversified electronics manufacturers, with about 1,000 consolidated subsidiaries in nine business segments, including information and telecommunication systems, social infrastructure and industrial systems, electronic systems and equipment, construction machinery, high-functional materials and components, automotive systems, smart life and eco-friendly systems, logistics and financial services.

Key Financial Indicators

Particulars

Unit

2023

2022

Revenue

Rs.Crore

467

399

Profit After Tax (PAT)

Rs crore

31

29

PAT Margin

%

6.6

7.3

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

0.13

0.29

Interest coverage

Times

21.99

8.15

Any other information: Not Applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.

Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)

ISIN Name of the
instrument
Date of
Allotment
Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity
Date
Issue size
(Rs.Crore)
Complexity
Level
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Working Capital Demand Loan NA NA NA 135 NA CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 135 NA CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 0.3 NA CRISIL AA/Stable

 

Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2024 (History) 2023  2022  2021  Start of 2021
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 135.3 CRISIL AA/Stable   -- 28-02-23 CRISIL AA-/Stable 03-01-22 CRISIL AA-/Stable 29-12-21 CRISIL AA-/Stable CRISIL AA-/Stable
      --   --   --   -- 22-07-21 CRISIL AA-/Stable CRISIL AA-/Stable
      --   --   --   -- 12-04-21 CRISIL AA-/Stable --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 135.0 CRISIL A1+   -- 28-02-23 CRISIL A1+ 03-01-22 CRISIL A1+ 29-12-21 CRISIL A1+ CRISIL A1+
      --   --   --   -- 22-07-21 CRISIL A1+ --
      --   --   --   -- 12-04-21 CRISIL A1+ --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 1 MUFG Bank Limited CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 4 YES Bank Limited CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 15 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 25 Mizuho Bank Limited CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 65 ICICI Bank Limited CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 25 Standard Chartered Bank Limited CRISIL A1+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 0.3 Not Applicable CRISIL AA/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan 25 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL AA/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan 65 Bank of America N.A. CRISIL AA/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan 5 ICICI Bank Limited CRISIL AA/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan 40 MUFG Bank Limited CRISIL AA/Stable
Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Engineering Sector
Mapping global scale ratings onto CRISIL scale
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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