Rating Rationale
February 14, 2019 | Mumbai
Kamala International Exim Private Limited
Rating downgraded to 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable', removed from 'Watch Developing'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.10 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB+/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A'; Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its rating on the bank facilities of Kamala International Exim Private Limited (KIEPL; part of the Dukes group) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' and downgraded the rating to 'CRISIL BBB+' from 'CRISIL A' and assigned a 'Stable' outlook to long term rating.
 
The rating was placed on watch Nov 19, 2018, following I-T raids on of promoter directors of Ravi Foods Private Limited (RFPL; part of the Dukes group). The rating has been removed from watch following clarifications from the management that there was no impact on the operations because of raids and CRISIL's belief that the raids will not impact the business and financial risk profile of Dukes Group. The management has also informed that no withdrawals will be made from the group for meeting any unforeseen liability arising out of I-T raids.
 
The rating action also takes into consideration the declining business profile of KEIPL reflected in decline in revenues from Rs.275 Cr in FY17 to Rs.90.4 Cr in FY18.  KIEPL was set-up in pre-GST regime solely for the purpose of merchant exporting. However, post GST (FY17 Onwards) individual companies in the group have started own exports resulting in reduction of revenues and thus weakening of its profile .However KEIPL continues to sells products of other smaller companies in export market through its own clientele. The rating derives strength from being part of the DUKES Group and standalone healthy financial risk profile
 
The ratings continues to reflect an established market position in the biscuits and confectionary segment supported by a wide product portfolio, geographical reach, and reputed brand. The ratings also factor in efficient working capital management, and a strong financial risk profile marked by large net worth, low gearing, and robust debt protection metrics. These rating strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense industry competition, and susceptibility of profitability margins to volatility in raw material prices and in foreign exchange rates.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of RFPL, Dukes Products Pvt Ltd, KIEPL, Dukes Consumer Care Limited, Disha Foods Pvt Ltd, Pahal Foods Pvt Ltd, Ankit Biscuits Pvt Ltd, Singhani Foods International, Badami Foods, Kamala Consumer Care Pvt Ltd, Paragon Consumer Care Pvt Ltd, Pahal Exim Foods Ltd, and Harsh Bakers. This is because these entities, collectively referred to as the Dukes group, have common promoters, are in the same line of business, and have significant operational linkages and fungible cash flows.

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 market position in biscuits and confectionary segment supported by its wide product portfolio, geographical reach, and reputed brand
The group's established market position stems from its strong brand, superior product quality, and a wide distribution network. The group has a diversified portfolio of biscuits across categories.
 
* Strong financial risk profile
The group's net worth is expected to be around at Rs.492 crores as on March 31, 2019; it has seen a significant improvement from Rs.383 crores as on March 31, 2017 on the back of healthy accretions to reserves. The TOL/TNW of the group is expected to remain low at 0.86 times as on March 31, 2019. The healthy profitability levels, along with low debt levels, have resulted in robust debt protection measures; the group's interest coverage and net cash accruals to total debt (NCATD) ratios were around 4.9 times and 25 per cent, respectively for fiscal 2019.
 
* Efficient working capital management
The Dukes group manages its working capital efficiently as reflected in estimated gross current assets (GCA) of 139 days as on March 31, 2019. The moderate GCAs are on account of moderate inventory of around 45 days and receivables cycle of around 45 days.
 
Weakness
* Exposure to intense competition in biscuits industry
The Dukes group is a moderate sized player in the biscuits and confectionary industry, which is dominated by large national players such as Britannia Industries Ltd (Britannia; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Nestle India Limited ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and Parle Products Pvt Ltd (Parle). Large players such as Britannia, Parle, and ITC Ltd benefit from economies of scale, large portfolio of fast-moving consumer goods products, and aggressive marketing strategy, leading to higher bargaining power with their distributors. The group's profitability margins will remain moderate over the medium term on account of its exposure to intense competition in the biscuits and confectionaries segment.
 
* Susceptibility of profitability margins to volatility in raw material prices and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates
The biscuits segment is price-sensitive, with little product differentiation, especially in the low-end biscuits segment. Consequently, players have limited ability to pass on increases in raw material prices. Moreover, the Dukes group derives more than 35 per cent of its revenues from exports and hence its margins are susceptible to volatility in foreign exchange rates.
Liquidity

Liquidity is adequate with group likely to generate cash accrual of over Rs 100 crore over the medium term against debt obligation of Rs 25-30 crore and moderate utilization of bank lines.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that the Dukes group will continue to benefit over the medium term from its healthy brand recognition and established market position. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case of significant growth in revenues coupled with diversification, while the operating margin and working capital requirements improve. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if a significant stretch in working capital requirement or debt-funded capex result in higher debt, or if revenue or profitability declines significantly, thereby weakening the business risk profile.

About the Company

Set up in 1995, RFPL, the flagship company of the group, is engaged in manufacture and sale of biscuits and confectionary.
 
The Dukes group was set up in 1988 by Mr. Kedarnath Agarwal and his family members. The group manufactures biscuits, cream wafers, chocolates, and confectionery, which are sold under the brands, Dukes and Treff in India and abroad, respectively. It is headquartered in Hyderabad.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs. Cr. 1274 1082
Profit After Tax Rs. Cr. 58 47
PAT Margins % 4.5 4.4
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.65 0.69
Interest coverage Times 5.1 4.8

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 Fund-Based Facilities NA NA NA 8 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
NA Non-Fund Based Limit NA NA NA 2 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Ravi Foods Pvt Ltd Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Ankit Biscuits Pvt Ltd. Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Badami Foods Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Pahal Foods Pvt Ltd Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Disha Foods Pvt Ltd. Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Dukes Consumer Care Ltd Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Dukes Products (India) Ltd Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Kamala International Exim Pvt Ltd Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Pahal Foods Exim Ltd Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Singhania Foods International Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Harsh Bakers Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Kamala Consumer Care Pvt Ltd Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
Paragon Consumer
Care Pvt Ltd
Full Same line of business, and have a common management and fungible cash flows.
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  8.00  CRISIL BBB+/Stable      19-11-18  CRISIL A/Watch Developing/ CRISIL A1/Watch Developing      21-12-16  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1  CRISIL A-/Positive/ CRISIL A2+ 
            04-01-18  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  2.00  CRISIL BBB+/Stable    --    --    --    --  -- 
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
Fund-Based Facilities 8 CRISIL BBB+/Stable Foreign Bill Discounting .5 CRISIL A1/Watch Developing
Non-Fund Based Limit 2 CRISIL BBB+/Stable Foreign Exchange Forward 4.65 CRISIL A1/Watch Developing
-- 0 -- Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4.85 CRISIL A/Watch Developing
Total 10 -- Total 10 --
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 Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
Criteria for rating entities belonging to homogenous groups

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