Rating Rationale
January 09, 2019 | Mumbai
KPIT Technologies Limited
Ratings continues on 'Watch Developing'  
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.444.55 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA- (Continues on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Continues on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL ratings on the bank facilities of KPIT Technologies Limited (KPIT) continues to be on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications'.

The ratings were placed on watch on January 30, 2018, following the announcement by KPIT that KPIT and Birlasoft (India) Ltd (Birlasoft; part of the CK Birla Group) will work closely to first merge Birlasoft into KPIT and later split the combined entity into two public companies: one focused on automotive engineering and mobility solutions, and the other being an enterprise digital business information technology (IT) services company.

KPIT's management has stated that the multi-stage deal will, likely, be concluded in about a year (from announcement) and will involve necessary approvals including those from National Company Law Tribunal and Competition Commission of India.

The equity shareholders of KPIT Technologies convened a meeting on Aug 29, 2018 as directed by NCLT, Mumbai Bench.

Among the equity shareholders who voted, 99.9% voted for the motion and thus the scheme has been successfully accepted by the equity shareholders. Also the transaction has received approval from NCLT Mumbai bench on November 29, 2018. However, it is expected that the business restructuring exercise would be completed by Feb 2019.

CRISIL is in discussion with KPIT's management to understand the post-transaction capital structure including division of debt between the two proposed entities, any changes to business and financial profile and strategy, and their impact on KPIT's credit profile. CRISIL will remove the ratings from watch upon conclusion of the transaction and once it has clarity on these aspects.

The ratings continue to reflect KPIT's healthy business risk profile, with established market position in the automotive and manufacturing verticals, and strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to industry competition, and client and geographical concentration in revenue. 

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of KPIT and its subsidiaries, as all these entities are in the same line of business, under a common management, and have strong financial and operational linkages. The list of such consolidated entities is provided in Annexure. CRISIL has also amortized the goodwill arising on consolidation of KPIT's subsidiaries, over a period of five years.

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

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
*Healthy business risk profile, with established presence in the automotive and manufacturing verticals

KPIT has an established position in the automotive and manufacturing industry vertical, which forms 74% of revenue. It also has a well-established client base, including companies such as Cummins Inc, Unilever, and Hewlett-Packard, which have been associated with the group for over five years. The company is also focusing on the digital business as there is a sufficient growth prospect in the vertical.

CRISIL believes KPIT will sustain its healthy business risk profile on the back of its established market position in the automotive and manufacturing verticals.

* Strong financial risk profile
The financial risk profile is supported by moderate gearing, robust debt protection metrics, and healthy liquidity. Networth and gearing were at Rs 1289 crore and 0.25 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2018. Net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios, at 1.03 times and 40 times, respectively, in fiscal 2018, reflect healthy debt protection metrics. Debt was at Rs 327 crore and cash and cash equivalents at Rs 505 crore as on March 31, 2018.

Cash accrual at Rs 338 crore was more than adequate for the debt repayments and capex requirements. With expected improvement in operating performance in the near term, the financial risk profile will remain strong.

Operating performance will gradually improve in the medium term with better absorption of employee costs and moderate revenue growth in the coming quarters. Liquidity is expected to remain robust, along with reduction of long-term debt, over the medium term.

Weaknesses
* Exposure to intense competition in the IT industry
The business environment for the IT industry remains challenging. Indian IT players will need to scale up their operations, primarily due to intense competition among themselves and from multinational corporations that are expanding their offshore operations in India. Other key success factors include acquiring and retaining new customers, maintaining an efficient cost structure, and ensuring effective labour retention and utilisation. Protectionist measures adopted by the US remain yet another business challenge for Indian IT companies. However, players are likely to effectively counter challenges backed by the Indian IT industry's inherent strengths.

* Client and geographical concentration in revenue
While KPIT has a well-established client base. The US market contributed 63% of revenue in fiscal 2018. Although geographical diversity mitigates business risk, this skew in revenue is unavoidable, as the US is the largest global IT spender. Apart from US Asia was the highest growing geography in fiscal 2018 which contributed 17% of revenue for KPIT.

Liquidity
Liquidity remains comfortable, with cash balance of Rs 610 crore and total debt outstanding of Rs 280 crore as on September 30, 2018.
About the Company

KPIT was originally incorporated in 1990 as KPIT Infosystems Ltd, promoted by Mr SB Pandit, Mr Kishore Patil, and Mr Shrikrishna Patwardhan. In fiscal 2003, Cummins Infotech Ltd merged with the company, which was then renamed KPIT Cummins Infosystems Ltd. The company got its present name in fiscal 2014. KPIT offers solutions primarily in the automotive, transportation, manufacturing, energy, and utilities verticals through its integrated enterprise solutions, automotive and engineering, and SAP business units.

About Birlasoft
Birlasoft is a part of the 150 year old CK Birla group, and is engaged in providing IT services. The company focuses on software implementation, testing and product development. Birlasoft specializes in the domains of banking, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare and enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation.

Key Financial Indicators (KPIT)
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 3,664 3,320
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 254 239
PAT Margin % 6.9 7.2
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth Times 0.25 0.36
Interest coverage Times 39.91 18.19

Particulars Unit H1-19 H1-18
Revenue Rs crore 2093 1785
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 161 116
PAT Margin % 7.7 6.5
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth Times 0.16 0.22
Interest coverage Times 25.74 37.52

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 NA 2.00 CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing
NA Term Loan NA NA Oct-2020 79.69 CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing
NA Working Capital Facility NA NA NA 362.86 CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing
 
Annexure - Details of Consolidation
1 KPIT (Shanghai) Software Technology Co. Limited, China
2 KPIT Technologies, France
3 KPIT Technologies (UK) Limited
4 KPIT Infosystems Incorporated USA
5 KPIT Technologies Netherlands B.V.
6 SYSTIME Computer Corporation, USA
7 KPIT Technologies GmbH, Germany
8 Sparta Consulting USA
9 Impact Automotive Solutions Limited
10 KPIT Engineering Limited
11 Yantra Digital Services Pvt Limited
12 KPIT Infosystems ME FZE UAE
13 KPIT Solutions GmbH Germany
14 Micro-Fuzzy Industrie Elektronic GmbH, Germany
15 KPIT Technologies Solucoes Em Informatica, Ltda Brazil
16 Micro-Fuzzy KPIT Technologia Ltda, Brazil
17 KPIT Technologies Corporation Canada
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  442.55  CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing      23-10-18  CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing  25-09-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable  24-06-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Negative 
            31-07-18  CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing           
            07-05-18  CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing           
            01-02-18  CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  2.00  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing      23-10-18  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing  25-09-17  CRISIL A1+  24-06-16  CRISIL A1+  -- 
            31-07-18  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing           
            07-05-18  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing           
            01-02-18  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing           
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 2 CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing Bank Guarantee 2 CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing
Term Loan 79.69 CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing Term Loan 79.69 CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing
Working Capital Facility 362.86 CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing Working Capital Facility 362.86 CRISIL AA-/Watch Developing
Total 444.55 -- Total 444.55 --
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 Software Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Vinay Rajani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1835
M: +91 91 676 42913
B: +91 22 3342 3000
vinay.rajani@ext-crisil.com

Anuj Sethi
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 44 6656 3100
anuj.sethi@crisil.com


Sameer Charania
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8025
sameer.charania@crisil.com


Mohan Rao
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
Mohan.Rao@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL