Rating Rationale
July 06, 2020 | Mumbai
 
Kirloskar Brothers Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Stable'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.2064.13 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.1850 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Stable (Outlook revised from 'Negative' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.100 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

 

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its rating outlook on the long-term bank facilities of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd (KBL) to 'Stable' from 'Negative', while reaffirming the rating at 'CRISIL AA-'; the rating on the short-term bank facilities and commercial paper programme has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1+'.
 
The outlook revision reflects sustained improvement in the operating performance, specifically in international subsidiaries. The KBL group's (KBL consolidated including joint venture, Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Ltd, KEPL, rated 'CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+'), earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin improved to 6.7% in fiscal 2020 from 5.4% in the previous fiscal. Improvement in profitability was on account of key structural changes in the international business where the group has increased its focus on high-margin orders, industry diversification beyond the oil and gas sector in international business, as well as cost control and process improvement measures. The operating income remained almost flat at Rs 3,298 crore in fiscal 2020 due to sales loss on account of the nationwide lockdown in the last week of March 2020 following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, net cash accruals improved to Rs 148 crore in fiscal 2020 from Rs 60 crore in the previous fiscal.
 
A healthy performance in the product segment led by small pumps in the domestic market, and gradually improving performance in the international business have led to overall improvement in the business risk profile.
 
In fiscal 2021, the operating performance is expected to moderate due to lower demand on account of the pandemic in the initial quarters; however, overall revenues will continue to remain supported by healthy demand in the agriculture segment, a substantial order book of Rs 2,247 crore as on March 31, 2020, sustained performance of international subsidiaries and overall cost-rationalisation initiatives.
 
The financial risk profile is supported by moderate gearing of 0.79 time as on March 31, 2020, and improving debt protection metrics, with interest coverage ratio of 4.92 times in fiscal 2020. Total debt increased to Rs 595 crore on March 31, 2020, owing to high drawdown of fund-based facilities to strengthen liquidity after the lockdown announcement. Consequently, cash and equivalents increased to Rs 395 crore as at March 31, 2020, from Rs 89 crore a year earlier. Thus, the net debt/EBITDA ratio improved to 0.9 time from 1.62 times over this period. With expected moderation in operating performance in fiscal 2021, the credit metrics are expected to remain healthy, with the net debt/EBITDA ratio at below 1 time. Further, cash accrual should be comfortable to meet moderate capital expenditure (capex) plans of Rs 54 crore and repayment obligation of Rs 27 crore, in fiscal 2021.
 
The ratings continue to reflect KBL's leadership position in the domestic pump market, diversified revenue, and an improving financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by continuing, though declining losses in the project segment, large working capital requirement, and exposure to intense competitive pressure.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of KBL and its subsidiaries, as all these companies, collectively referred to as the KBL group, are under common management, and have high operational and financial linkages.
 
For the joint venture (JV), Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Ltd (KEPL, 'CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+'), CRISIL has changed its approach and now follows a full consolidation approach, wherein it has combined business and financial risk profile of KEPL, given the common management and strategic importance as well as need-based financial support. Earlier, CRISIL used to follow a moderate integration wherein it only included the share of profits (45%) from the JV and share of any incremental investments required by it.
 
CRISIL has also adjusted retention receivables outstanding for more than a year in the project segment, against net worth 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 in the domestic pump market, and diversified revenue: The group 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 and improving financial risk profile: The gearing was 0.79 time as on March 31, 2020, while the interest coverage ratio was 4.92 times in fiscal 2020. Excluding year-end excess fund-based limit drawn to strengthen liquidity, the net debt/EBITDA ratio improved to 0.9 time as on March 31, 2020, from 1.62 times a year earlier. Despite the moderation expected in operating performance in fiscal 2021, the credit metrics should remain healthy with the net debt/EBITDA ratio at below 1 time. Further, cash accrual should be comfortable to meet moderate capex plans of Rs 54 crore and repayment obligation of Rs 27 crore, in fiscal 2021.
 
Weaknesses:
* Continuing, though declining, losses in the project segment and international business: The project segment continues to incur losses, though the declining share of its revenue to 22% of the standalone entity revenue in fiscal 2020 from 30% in fiscal 2015, and cost control measures provide some respite. The focus on realisation of retention receivables has resulted in aggregate retention receivables declining by about 9% to Rs 275 crore as on March 31, 2020 as compared to last year. The international subsidiaries improved their operating profitability with EBITDA of Rs 23.7 crore in fiscal 2020 against a loss of Rs 64 crore in fiscal 2019 (15 months period ended March 31, 2019), due to implementation of various measures. The performance of the international business and the project segment will remain key monitorables.
 
* Large working capital requirement: The working capital cycle remains stretched because of large receivables (Rs 857 crore as on March 31, 2020, including Rs 246 crore retention receivables pending for more than a year), particularly in the projects business, and moderate inventory-holding period. Gross current assets were 229 days as on March 31, 2020, and are expected to remain 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.
 
* Susceptibility to intense competition: The domestic pumps industry is highly fragmented and intensely competitive, with several unorganised players. Organised players, including KBL, face tremendous pressure in maintaining market share and profitability, as cost-sensitive consumers attach more importance to affordability than brand equity.
Liquidity Strong

Cash and equivalents were Rs 395 crore as on March 31, 2020, including bank deposits and mutual fund investments. Cash accrual is expected to be sufficient to meet modest capex of about Rs 54 crore, and long-term debt repayment obligation of around Rs 27 crore, per fiscal in fiscals 2021 and 2022. Utilisation of the fund-based limit averaged 25% in the 12 months through February 2020; this has increased to 51% since March 2020 but is expected to moderate in the medium term.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the business risk profile of the group will continue to be supported by its products business, with continued improvement in performance of international subsidiaries. Working capital requirement should remain large and increase owing to business needs.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors:
* Sustained revenue growth, with an operating margin of above 8%
* Sustained improvement in debt protection metrics, with the gearing below 0.2 time and interest coverage ratio above 8.0 times
* Substantial recovery of retention receivables, leading to a significant increase in cash flow and an improved working capital cycle

Downward factors:
* Weaker-than-anticipated operating performance with operating margins below 4% on a sustained basis
* Deterioration in debt protection metrics, with the gearing above 0.8 time and interest coverage ratio below 3.25 times on a sustained basis
* Increasing retention receivables from the projects business, thereby impacting cash flows and stretching the working capital cycle.

About the Group

The KBL group, including its subsidiaries and KEPL, 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, 2020, KBL had a standalone order book of Rs 1,682 crore. This excluded projects worth Rs 270 crore on which work is yet to commence.

Key Financial Indicators*
Particulars Unit March 31, 2020# March 31, 2019**
Revenue Rs crore 3298 3341
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 76 13
PAT Margin % 2.3 0.4
Adjusted debt/adjusted Networth Times 0.79 0.57
Interest coverage Times 4.92 4.42
#Provisional
*Including KEPL
**Adjusted to include 12 months of international subsidiary performance. PAT is as reported for fiscal 2019 (including 15 months performance of international subsidiaries). International subsidiaries changed the reporting period in fiscal 2019 to March from December earlier.

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. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' 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) Complexity level Rating assigned with outlook
NA Cash credit NA NA NA 295 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Letter of credit & bank guarantee NA NA NA 1505 NA CRISIL A1+
NA Commercial paper programme NA NA 7-365 days 100 Simple CRISIL A1+
NA Term Loan NA NA June-22 50 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Sept-24 64.13 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Working Capital Demand Loan (WCDL) NA NA NA 150 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
  Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
1 Kirloskar Brothers International B V Full Subsidiary
2 The Kolhapur Steel Ltd Full Subsidiary
3 Karad Projects and Motors Ltd Full Subsidiary
4 Kirloskar Corrocoat Pvt Ltd Full Subsidiary
5 Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Ltd Full 45% JV in similar business
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  100.00  CRISIL A1+      08-08-19  CRISIL A1+  08-03-18  CRISIL A1+  16-08-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            25-01-19  CRISIL A1+           
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  559.13  CRISIL AA-/Stable      08-08-19  CRISIL AA-/Negative  08-03-18  CRISIL AA-/Negative  16-08-17  CRISIL AA-/Negative  CRISIL AA-/Negative 
            25-01-19  CRISIL AA-/Negative           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1505.00  CRISIL A1+      08-08-19  CRISIL A1+  08-03-18  CRISIL A1+  16-08-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            25-01-19  CRISIL A1+           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities      
Facility Name of Lender Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit Bank of India 160 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Cash Credit Canara Bank 68 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Cash Credit Citibank N. A. 16 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Cash Credit HDFC Bank Limited 44 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Cash Credit ICICI Bank Limited 7 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee Bank of India 718.25 CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee Canara Bank 313.75 CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee Exim Bank 100 CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee HDFC Bank Limited 136 CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee ICICI Bank Limited 237 CRISIL A1+
Term Loan HDFC Bank Limited 64.13 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Term Loan ICICI Bank Limited 50 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan Bank of India 150 CRISIL AA-/Stable

This Annexure has been updated on 26-Sep-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 11-Aug-2021 received from the rated entity.

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
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings

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