Rating Rationale
November 25, 2020 | Mumbai
Le Merite Exports Limited
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.35 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Reassigned)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL BB/Stable' rating on the long term bank facilities of Le Merite Exports Limited (Le Merite) and has reassigned its 'CRISIL A4+' rating to the short term bank facility.    
 
The ratings continue to reflect the extensive experience of the promoter in the yarn trading business, efficient working capital cycle and improving financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatile profitability and presence in a highly fragmented industry.

Analytical Approach

Unsecured loan has been treated as debt.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Promoter's extensive experience in the yarn trading industry
The promoter's experience of over 15 years in the yarn trading business has helped develop strong understanding of the industry dynamics, which aids in procurement and stocking decisions. The promoter has developed strong relationships with customers and suppliers which help in repeat orders and assured supply. The company has also started manufacturing of yarns from January 2020. The experience of promoters has helped the company to increase its revenue from Rs. 132 crore in fiscal 2017 to Rs. 213 crore is fiscal 20

* Efficient working capital management
Le Merite has managed its working capital efficiently as reflected in gross current assets of 88 days as on March 31, 2020, with moderate receivables of 65 days and low inventory of 5 days. The inventory days are low as the company has order backed procurement. Going forward working capital cycle is expected to remain at similar levels.

* Improving financial risk profile
The financial risk profile is marked by networth of Rs 17.47 crore and moderate total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio of 2.24 times as on March 31, 2020, compared to 2.98 times a year ago. Debt protection metrics were adequate with interest coverage ratio at 2.83 times for fiscal 2020. Going forward financial profile is expected to remain at similar levels.  

Weaknesses:
* Volatile profitability
The cotton yarn industry is susceptible to changes in domestic and international economies. Since major revenues are generated from export of products, any fluctuations in foreign exchange currency, has a direct impact of profitability. Also the trading nature of business exert pressure on profitability.

* Presence in a highly fragmented industry
The trading of yarn industry is highly fragmented and competitive, with a large number of unorganized players in the market. This limits the pricing flexibility and bargaining power of players. Low complexity of operations have resulted in a large number of small entities, leading to significant fragmentation.
Liquidity Adequate

Net cash accrual, expected at Rs 4-5 crore each in fiscals 2021 and 2022, should support liquidity in the absence of any debt obligation. Utilisation of fund-based limit averaged 76% over the 11 months through August 2020. Cash balance was Rs. 5.46 crore as on March 31, 2020. Internal accrual and unutilised bank lines should comfortably support the working capital management. 

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Le Merite will continue to benefit from its promoters' extensive experience

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
* Improvement in the business risk profile marked by profitability above 4.0% leading to higher net cash accrual
* Improvement in the financial risk profile reflected with sustained working capital cycle

Downward Factors
* Weakening of the business risk profile with revenue falling below Rs 120 crore or decline in the operating margin below 1.5%, leading to lower net cash accrual
* Higher dependence on working capital facility leading to deterioration in financial risk profile.

About the Company

Incorporated in 2003 by Mr Abhishek Lath, Mumbai-based Le Merite trades in cotton yarn and fabric. It derives majority of revenue from exports. From January 2020, the company has also started manufacturing of yarn.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2020 2019
Operating income Rs crore 213.85 178.00
Reported profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 3.24 1.22
PAT margin % 1.52 0.68
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.66 2.66
Interest coverage Times 2.83 1.54

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
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 Export Packing Credit NA NA NA 13.41 NA CRISIL BB/Stable
NA Bill Discounting under Letter of Credit NA NA NA 21.59 NA CRISIL A4+
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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  13.41  CRISIL BB/Stable      15-10-19  CRISIL BB/Stable  18-12-18  CRISIL BB/Stable  26-12-17  CRISIL BB+/Stable  CRISIL BB+/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  21.59  CRISIL A4+    --    --    --    --  -- 
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
Bill Discounting under Letter of Credit 21.59 CRISIL A4+ Export Packing Credit 20 CRISIL BB/Stable
Export Packing Credit 13.41 CRISIL BB/Stable Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 15 CRISIL BB/Stable
Total 35 -- Total 35 --
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 Cotton Textile Industry
The Rating Process

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