Rating Rationale
October 29, 2019 | Mumbai
Kitex Limited
Ratings upgraded to 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.72.23 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3+ (Upgraded from 'CRISIL A3')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of Kitex Limited (Kitex) to 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+' from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3'.
 
The upgrade reflects CRISIL's belief that the improvement in business and financial risk profiles will be sustained over the medium term. Steady growth in revenue at a CAGR of more than 6% in past 3 years ended fiscal 2019. Growth in revenue is driven by increased exports of garments. The financial risk profile has improved on account of higher-than-expected cash accrual estimated at Rs 11-12 crore in fiscal 2019 and 2018, as against 7-8 crores till fiscal 2017.
 
The rating continue to reflect the benefits Kitex derives from its established brand in Kerala, diversified product profile, the extensive industry experience of its promoters, and above-average financial risk profile. These rating strengths are partially offset by Kitex's exposure to risks related to geographical concentration in revenue profile, intensifying competition in the textile industry, and volatility in raw material prices.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established brand in Kerala, and diversified product profile: Kitex is a popular brand of lungis in Kerala. The company has leveraged its brand image by selling bed sheets, lungis, dhotis, and other textile products also under the Kitex brand. Its Scoobee Day brand of school bags is also popular in Kerala. Kitex also sells undergarments under the Agna and Adonis brands.

* Extensive experience of promoters in the textile industry: Kitex is managed by Mr. M C Jacob and his son, Mr. Bobby M Jacob. The promoters have experience of over 20 years in the textile industry. Furthermore, the Anna Kitex group, of which Kitex is part of, has helped it build successful brands over the years.

* Moderate financial risk profile: Kitex has a moderate financial risk profile. Debt protection metrics were above average, with net cash accrual to total debt (NCATD) and interest coverage ratios at 24 per cent and 4.76 times, respectively, and gearing of less than 1 time for fiscal 2019.
  
Weaknesses
* Exposure to geographical concentration risk and intense competition: Kitex's products are sold predominantly in Kerala. The company does not have a significant presence in the neighboring states, which have a market for similar products. CRISIL believes intensifying competition may lead to challenges for Kitex to maintain its market share. However, the company's product quality and its status as part of the successful Anna Kitex group will help mitigate this risk.
 
* Vulnerability to volatile raw material prices: Kitex's main inputs are cotton yarn and petrochemical products (for bags). The company sources cotton yarn from yarn manufacturers in Tirupur (Tamil Nadu). Cotton yarn prices have been highly volatile in the past few years because of fluctuations in demand and in availability of cotton.
 
Liquidity: Adequate
Kitex has adequate liquidity profile marked by adequate cash accruals, moderate bank limit utilisation and moderate cash and bank balances. Kitex has reported average month end bank limit utilisation of about 55 per cent. Further company is expected to generate healthy cash accruals of more than 10 crores per annum over the medium term as against 1-1.5 crores repayment obligation. Kitex has moderate cash and bank balances of around 9 crores as at March 31, 2019.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Kitex will benefit over the medium term from its established brand in Kerala and the promoters' extensive experience in the textile industry.
 
Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factor
* Improvement in scale of operations
* EBITDA margin of more than 9 per cent with sustenance of working capital cycle
 
Downward factor
* EBITDA margin of less than 6 per cent
* Deterioration of working capital with GCA days of more than 220 days

About the Company

Incorporated in 1985, Kitex manufactures grey cloth, textile products, garments, and bags. The company's flagship product is lungi, which it sells under the Kitex brand. Kitex is part of the Anna-Kitex group based in Kochi (Kerala), which has a presence in several businesses, including manufacturing of aluminium products, herbal extracts, spices, textiles, as well as in trading.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs. Cr. 231 216
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs. Cr. 7.95 7.08
PAT Margin % 3.4 3.3
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.94 1.31
Interest coverage Times 4.76 5.03

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 55 CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Long Term Loan NA NA Mar-2022 1.23 CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 16 CRISIL A3+
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  72.23  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ CRISIL A3+      23-07-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3  25-01-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3      CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3 
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 55 CRISIL BBB/Stable Cash Credit 55 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Long Term Loan 1.23 CRISIL BBB/Stable Long Term Loan 6.07 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Packing Credit 16 CRISIL A3+ Packing Credit 10 CRISIL A3
-- 0 -- Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 1.16 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Total 72.23 -- Total 72.23 --
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 Criteria for rating short term debt

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