Rating Rationale
March 22, 2021 | Mumbai
Kothari Fermentation And Biochem Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.44 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BBB-/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A3 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has revised its rating outlook on the long-term bank facilities of Kothari Fermentation and Biochem Ltd (KFBL) to ‘Positive’ from ‘Stable’ while reaffirming the rating at ‘CRISIL BBB-’; the short-term rating has been reaffirmed at ‘CRISIL A3’.

 

The outlook revision reflects the expectation that the business risk profile will continue to improve over the medium term. With revenue estimated to increase to Rs 99 crore in fiscal 2021 and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation margin above 16%, cash accrual is likely to improve significantly. With the start of the yeast powder extraction unit in fiscal 2022, revenue is expected to improve to more than Rs 115 crore. Financial risk profile is likely to remain comfortable over the medium term. Total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratio is expected to remain strong at 0.77 time as on March 31, 2021, while interest coverage ratio is likely to be healthy at 5.06 times for fiscal 2021. Bank limit was moderately utilised at 84% in the past 12 months. With limited term debt on books, liquidity is expected to remain adequate.

 

The ratings continue to reflect the strong market presence of KFBL in the yeast manufacturing segment, established relationships with customers that include leading players in the bakery industry, and above-average financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by the moderate scale of operations and susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Established market position: Presence of around two decades in the yeast industry has enabled the promoters to establish a strong brand in western Uttar Pradesh and maintain robust relationships with customers.

 

  • Above-average financial risk profile: Gearing estimated to remain healthy healthy at 0.53 time and networth large at Rs 61.11 crore, as on March 31, 2021. Interest coverage ratio also estimated to remain comfortable at 5.06 times in fiscal 2021. Financial risk profile should remain stable over the medium term, with moderate capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 6-7 crore in fiscal 2021 and no long-term liabilities.

 

  • Efficient working capital management: Gross current assets were low estimated at 103 days as on March 31, 2021, because of modest receivables and moderate inventory of 30 days and 65 days, respectively.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Moderate scale of operations: Despite being in business for nearly two decades, KFBL operates on a moderate scale, with net sales of Rs 96.74 crore, reported in fiscal 2020. Inspite of an established brand name, product realisations remain low. Being amidst several large players, KFBL has lower bargaining power and limited scope to pass on any cost hikes to its customers.

 

  • Susceptibility to volatility in key raw material prices: KFBL remains vulnerable to moderate price risk because of fluctuations in raw material prices and limited variations in consumer prices. The industry is highly dependent on the availability of raw material, domestic production of sugar cane, and annual rainfall.

Liquidity: Adequate

Cash accrual, expected at Rs 10.8 crore and Rs 13.02 crore in fiscals 2021 and 2022, respectively, should comfortably cover debt of Rs 3.6 crore and Rs 4.3 crore, respectively. Bank limit utilisation averaged 84% in the seven months through January 2021. Current ratio is moderate at 1.17 times as on March 31, 2020.

Outlook: Positive

The company will continue to benefit from its established presence and healthy relationships with key customers

Rating Sensitivity Factors

Upward Factors

  • Growth in operating income by over 15% and in margin by 200 basis points
  • Increase in cash accrual

 

Downward Factors

  • Decline in operating income by over 10%
  • Fall in operating profitability
  • Larger-than-expected debt-funded capex weakening financial risk profile

About the Company

KFBL is a publicly listed company incorporated in 1990 and promoted by Mr. Moti Lal Kothari and Mr. Pramod Kothari. The company produces yeast and its derivatives at its plant in Sikandrabad, Uttar Pradesh, which has installed capacity of 2,000 tonne per month.

Key Financial Indicators

As on/for the period ended March 31

Unit

2020

2019

Operating income

Rs.Crore

99.69

96.20

Reported profit after tax

Rs.Crore

7.67

8.71

PAT margin

%

7.69

9.06

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

0.61

0.48

Interest coverage

Times

7.46

10.48

 

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)

Complexity level

Rating

assigned with

outlook

NA

Cash credit

NA

NA

NA

13.0

NA

CRISIL BBB-/Positive

NA

Term loan

NA

NA

30-Nov-2026

17.5

NA

CRISIL BBB-/Positive

NA

Loan against property

NA

NA

31-Jan-2028

3.9

NA

CRISIL BBB-/Positive

NA

Non-Fund Based Limit

NA

NA

NA

5.00

NA

CRISIL A3

NA

Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility

NA

NA

NA

4.6

NA

CRISIL BBB-/Positive

 

Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2021 (History) 2020  2019  2018  Start of 2018
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 39.0 CRISIL BBB-/Positive   -- 24-07-20 CRISIL BBB-/Stable 20-12-19 CRISIL BBB-/Stable 24-10-18 CRISIL BBB-/Stable CRISIL BB+/Positive
      --   --   --   -- 28-08-18 CRISIL BB+ /Positive(Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 5.0 CRISIL A3   -- 24-07-20 CRISIL A3 20-12-19 CRISIL A3 24-10-18 CRISIL A3 CRISIL A4+
      --   --   --   -- 28-08-18 CRISIL A4+ (Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
* - Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
 
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 13 CRISIL BBB-/Positive Cash Credit 13 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Loan Against Property 3.9 CRISIL BBB-/Positive Loan Against Property 4.5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Non-Fund Based Limit 5 CRISIL A3 Long Term Loan 16.5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4.6 CRISIL BBB-/Positive Non-Fund Based Limit 10 CRISIL A3
Term Loan 17.5 CRISIL BBB-/Positive - - -
Total 44 - Total 44 -
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
Assessing Information Adequacy Risk
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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