Rating Rationale
March 20, 2018 | Mumbai
L & W Construction Private Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1600 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.950 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB+/Stable (Assigned)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable' rating on the long-term bank facilities of L & W Construction Private Limited (LWCPL), while reaffirming the short-term rating at 'CRISIL A2+'.
 
The rating reflects LWCPL's strong execution capabilities in the civil construction segment, aided by its experienced management, sizeable order pipeline, and healthy financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to risks, related to intense competition and working capital-intensive nature of operations.

Analytical Approach

To arrive at the rating for LWCPL, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of LWCPL and its two subsidiaries, L&W Builders Pvt Lt d (LWBPL) and L&W Building Solutions Pvt Ltd (LWBSPL).

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strong execution capabilities, aided by an experienced management and sizeable order pipeline: The parent companies, Lee Kim Tah Pte Ltd (Lee Kim Tah) and Who Hup Pte Ltd (Who Hup) have been engaged in civil construction and commercial real estate development across the world, for around nine decades. Strong international brand image of these companies has led to a high success ratio of bidding. Operations are managed by experienced board members, appointed by the parent companies. LWCPL bids for projects, awarded by large companies, where the funding risk is low, as they are predominantly funded by customers. Revenue visibility is also supported by the healthy pipeline of orders worth around Rs 1300 crore, to be executed over the ensuing 12-18 months.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is marked by healthy networth of around Rs 190 crore, no debt on the books and a significant unencumbered cash balance as on March 31, 2017. Continued liquid investments and absence of any major capital expenditure plans should further support the financial risk profile.  
 
Weaknesses:
* Working capital-intensive operations: Operations are highly working capital intensive, with gross current assets of 313 days as on March 31, 2017, led by receivables and inventory of 90 and 131 days, respectively. The civil construction segment is inherently working capital intensive, given the nature of operations.
 
* Susceptibility to intense competition and limited track record of operations: Operating margin was in the range of 5-8% over the four fiscals through March 2017. High exposure to fixed-price contracts renders the margin susceptible to escalation in raw material prices. The company partially offsets this risk by factoring in fluctuation in raw material cost in its bid price itself.
 
Further, the domestic construction industry is highly fragmented, marked by presence of large players like Larsen & Toubro Ltd, operate in several segments, including roads, hydroelectric projects, thermal plants, and urban infrastructure, the smaller entities specialize in fewer segments. LWCPL mainly undertakes works related to IT parks, but has a limited track record of operations in India.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes LWCPL will benefit over the medium term, from its healthy order pipeline, and financial risk profile. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if significant revenue growth, driven by geographical expansion, healthy operating margin, and prudent working capital management, strengthen the key credit metrics. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of lower-than-expected growth in revenue or profitability, or if any substantial capital expenditure or more than anticipated debt or stretch in working capital cycle, weakens the capital structure.

About the Group

LWCPL, set up in Bengaluru in 2006, undertakes civil construction works, primarily IT parks and other commercial buildings. LWBPL is also engaged in similar lines of business, while LWBSPL offers interior designing and landscaping services.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs crore 697.07 643.32
Profit After Tax Rs crore 21.39 22.98
PAT Margin % 3.1 3.6
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted networth Times 0.00 0.00
Interest coverage Times 9.0 16.1

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 Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 1200 CRISIL A2+
NA Composite Working Capital Limit NA NA NA 200 CRISIL A2+
NA Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits NA NA NA 199 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 1 CRISIL BBB+/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  400  CRISIL BBB+/Stable/ CRISIL A2+    --    --    --    --  -- 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1200  CRISIL A2+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  05-12-16  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
Bank Guarantee 1200 CRISIL A2+ Bank Guarantee 550 CRISIL A2+
Composite Working Capital Limit 200 CRISIL A2+ Proposed Bank Guarantee 400 CRISIL A2+
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 199 CRISIL BBB+/Stable -- 0 --
Overdraft 1 CRISIL BBB+/Stable -- 0 --
Total 1600 -- Total 950 --
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 Construction Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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