Rating Rationale
August 08, 2019 | Mumbai
Kirloskar Brothers Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1850 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Negative (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.100 Crore Commercial Paper Programme CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed) 
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AA-/Negative/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper programme of Kirloskar Brothers Limited.
 
Kirloskar Brothers Ltd and its subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as KBL, have an established presence in the industrial and agricultural pump segment, backed by strong brand, wide distribution network, and proven engineering capability. KBL's revenue grew 16% year-on-year to Rs 3,172 crore in fiscal 2019 (considering 12 months performance of the international subsidiaries). Healthy performance in the product segment led by small pumps and domestic subsidiaries, and gradually declining losses in the international business have led to an improvement in the business risk profile. Net profit declined to Rs 23 crore in fiscal 2019 from Rs 50 crore in the previous fiscal, mainly due to one-off expenses in the international subsidiaries. However, the performance of the international subsidiaries improved from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, with net loss before tax reducing to Rs 5 crore from Rs 23 crore during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.
 
KBL's business performance is expected to remain moderate over the medium term, given the challenging scenario in the overseas markets and continuing, albeit declining, losses in the project segment. Steady business growth in the domestic product segment backed by favourable demand outlook, and cost control measures should partially offset these challenges.
 
The financial risk profile is supported by low gearing, which partially mitigates the effect of average debt protection metrics. Limited improvement is expected in these metrics because of the proposed debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 165 crore in fiscals 2020 and 2021 for setting up machinery for manufacturing high technology pumps, replacement of plant and machinery at its existing plant, and renovation of residential complex.
 
The ratings continue to reflect KBL's leadership position in the domestic pump market, diversified revenue, and gradually improving, albeit average, financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by the challenging scenario in the international business; continuing, albeit declining, losses in the project segment; large working capital requirement; and exposure to intense competition from imported pumps and unorganised players.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd and its subsidiaries, as they have a common management team, and have high operational and financial linkages. For the associate company Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Ltd ('CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+'), CRISIL has followed the moderate integration approach. Specifically, CRISIL has factored in the share of profit (45%) from the joint venture (JV) and the share of any incremental investment required by the JV.

CRISIL has also adjusted retention receivables outstanding for more than a year in the project segment, against networth and trade receivables, because they are slow moving, and a substantial amount has been outstanding for over two years.

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
* Leadership position in the domestic pump market, and diversified revenue: KBL is one of the largest centrifugal pump manufacturers in India, with a leading market share. Revenue is diversified as the group caters to multiple sectors, including agriculture, oil and gas, defence, industrial, and building and construction. The diversified end-user base mitigates the adverse impact of a slowdown in any particular segment.
 
* Moderate, albeit, improving financial risk profile: Gearing was comfortable at 0.63 time as on March 31, 2019. Debt protection metrics are moderate, reflected in adjusted interest coverage of 4.02 times for fiscal 2019 (2.95 times in fiscal 2017). However, the gearing is likely to increase moderately over the medium term on account of the proposed debt-funded capex of Rs 165 crore over the next couple of years. Despite improving profitability, other credit metrics are expected to witness limited improvement due to additional debt for capex.
 
Weaknesses:
* Continuing, albeit declining, losses in the project segment and challenging scenario in the international business: The project segment continues to incur losses. However, its contribution to the group's revenue has declined to 22% in fiscal 2019 from 30% in fiscal 2015. Cost control measures also provide some respite. The international subsidiary reported net loss of Rs 99 crore in fiscal 2019 (15 months period ended March 2019) as compared to Rs 40 crore loss in fiscal 2018, mainly due to low order execution, one-time expenses and high costs. However, KBL has undertaken cost control measures and bagged selective offshore orders, resulting in a substantial reduction in loss to Rs 5 crore in the quarter ended March 31, 2019, from Rs 23 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The performance of the international business and project segment will remain key monitorables.
 
* Large working capital requirement: Working capital cycle remains stretched on account of large receivables (Rs 940 crore as on March 31, 2019, including Rs 294 crore retention receivables of more than a year), particularly in the projects business, and moderate inventory-holding period. Gross current assets were at 188 days as on March 31, 2019, and are expected at a similar level over the medium term. Progress in execution of projects and collection of retention money stuck in these projects will continue to be monitored.
 
* Susceptible to competition from unorganised players and imported pumps: The domestic pumps industry is highly fragmented and intensely competitive, and has several unorganised players, even post implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Organised players, including KBL, continue to face competitive pressure, as cost-sensitive consumers attach more importance to affordability than brand equity.
Liquidity

KBL has adequate liquidity, driven by cash accrual expected of more than Rs 130 crore per annum in fiscals 2020 and 2021. Utilisation of fund-based limit of Rs 367 crore was low, averaging 36% in the 12 months through March 2019. Incremental working capital requirement and modest long-term debt repayment obligation of Rs 12-16 crore each in the next two fiscals will be comfortably funded through cash accrual.

KBL had moderate debt of Rs 380 crore as on March 31, 2019. It had long-term debt of only Rs 79 crore as on March 31, 2019, of which Rs 44 crore pertained to its subsidiaries. Capex is likely to be funded mainly through debt, leading to increase in long-term debt to about Rs 200 crore by March 31, 2021. However, long-term debt obligation from fiscal 2022 will remain modest and well-spaced out.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes that though KBL's business risk profile will continue to be supported by its products business, its international subsidiaries and projects business will remain under pressure, though losses are reducing. Working capital requirement will remain material and increase because of business needs.

Downside scenario:
* Weaker-than-anticipated performance of the international business, or material increase in losses in the project segment, adversely impacting cash flow
* Debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) ratio remaining high over 3 times, or interest coverage ratio declining below 3.75 times, most likely due to lower-than-expected profitability

Upside scenario:
* Sustained revenue growth, and improvement in operating margin to over 6%
* Steady improvement in debt protection metrics, including interest coverage to above 4.5 times and debt to EBITDA ratio to below 2.25 times
* Substantial recovery of retention receivables leading to a significant increase in cash flow, and improved working capital cycle.

About the Company

KBL, part of the Kirloskar group, is India's largest manufacturer and exporter of pumps. It caters to the oil and gas, defence and marine, water resource management, irrigation, power, distribution, and construction sectors. As on March 31, 2019, it had orders of Rs 1,695 crore at standalone entity. This excludes projects worth Rs 531 crore, of which orders of Rs 261 crore have been put on hold as per customer advice and work is yet to commence for orders worth Rs 270 crore.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit March 31, 2019* March 31, 2018
Revenue Rs cr 3172 2742
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs cr 3 50
PAT Margin % 0.1 1.8
Adjusted debt/adjusted Networth Times 0.63 0.58
Interest coverage Times 4.02 4.39
*Adjusted to include 12 months of international subsidiary performance. PAT is as reported for fiscal 2019 (including 15 months performance of international subsidiaries). The international subsidiaries changed the reporting period end in fiscal 2019 to March from December earlier.

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 crore) Rating assigned with outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 320 CRISIL AA-/Negative
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 1480 CRISIL A1+
NA Commercial Paper Programme NA NA 7-365 days 100 CRISIL A1+
NA Term Loan NA NA Jun-22 50 CRISIL AA-/Negative
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
1 Kirloskar Brothers International B V
2 The Kolhapur Steel Ltd
3 Karad Projects and Motors Ltd
4 Kirloskar Corrocoat Pvt Ltd
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  100.00  CRISIL A1+  25-01-19  CRISIL A1+  08-03-18  CRISIL A1+  16-08-17  CRISIL A1+  06-10-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                    24-02-16  CRISIL A1+   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  370.00  CRISIL AA-/Negative  25-01-19  CRISIL AA-/Negative  08-03-18  CRISIL AA-/Negative  16-08-17  CRISIL AA-/Negative  06-10-16  CRISIL AA-/Negative  CRISIL AA/Negative 
                    24-02-16  CRISIL AA-/Negative   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1480.00  CRISIL A1+  25-01-19  CRISIL A1+  08-03-18  CRISIL A1+  16-08-17  CRISIL A1+  06-10-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                    24-02-16  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
Cash Credit 320 CRISIL AA-/Negative Cash Credit 320 CRISIL AA-/Negative
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 1480 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 1480 CRISIL A1+
Term Loan 50 CRISIL AA-/Negative Term Loan 50 CRISIL AA-/Negative
Total 1850 -- Total 1850 --
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
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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