Rating Rationale
January 04, 2018 | Mumbai
Kamala International Exim Private Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.10 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A/Stable/CRISIL A1' ratings on the bank facilities of Kamala International Exim Private Limited (KIEPL; part of the Dukes group).
 
The ratings 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 Ravi Foods Pvt Ltd, 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 Pvt Ltd, 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.

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 stood at around Rs.383 crores as on March 31, 2017; it has seen a significant improvement from Rs.182 crores as on March 31, 2013 on the back of equity infusions and healthy accretions to reserves. The TOL/TNW of the group continued to remain low at 0.66 times as on March 31, 2017. 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 4.3 times and 24 per cent, respectively for fiscal 2017.
 
* Efficient working capital management
The Dukes group manages its working capital efficiently as reflected in its gross current assets (GCA) of 114 days as on March 31, 2017. The moderate GCAs are on account of moderate inventory of around 45 days and receivables cycle of around 45 days. The efficient working capital management has resulted in average month end bank limit utilization of around 59 per cent over the 12 months ended October 2017.
 
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 over 35 per cent of its revenues from exports and hence its margins are susceptible to volatility in foreign exchange rates.
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

Incorporated in 1998, KIEPL is engaged in exports 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 2017 2016
Revenue Rs cr 275 305
Profit after tax Rs cr 2 4
PAT margin % 0.7 1.3
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0 0
Interest coverage Times 3.00 3.04

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 Foreign Bill Discounting NA NA NA 0.5 CRISIL A1
NA Foreign Exchange Forward NA NA NA 4.65 CRISIL A1
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 4.85 CRISIL A/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  10  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  21-12-16  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1  19-08-15  CRISIL A-/Positive/ CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A2+ 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Foreign Bill Discounting .5 CRISIL A1 Foreign Bill Discounting .5 CRISIL A1
Foreign Exchange Forward 4.65 CRISIL A1 Foreign Exchange Forward 4.65 CRISIL A1
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4.85 CRISIL A/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4.85 CRISIL A/Stable
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
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Group Support

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

Jyoti Parmar
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1835
B: +91 22 3342 3000
 jyoti.parmar@crisil.com

Rahul Guha
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8320
rahul.guha@crisil.com


Venkata Shantaram
Associate Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 40 4032 8222
venkata.shantaram@crisil.com


Jayashree Nandakumar
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 44 4032 8218
Jayashree.Nandakumar@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 an 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 100,000 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 NOTICE

CRISIL respects your privacy. We 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 and other parts of S&P Global Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company) you may find of interest.

For further information, or to let us know your preferences with respect to receiving marketing materials, please visit www.crisil.com/privacy. You can view the Company’s Customer Privacy at https://www.spglobal.com/privacy

Last updated: April 2016


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.

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: http://www.crisil.com/ratings/highlightedpolicy.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