Rating Rationale
June 19, 2018 | Mumbai
Leeford Healthcare Limited
Rating upgraded to 'CRISIL BBB/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.50 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facility of Leeford Healthcare Limited (Leeford) to 'CRISIL BBB/Stable' from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable'.
 
The upgrade reflects consistent improvement in the company's business and financial risk profiles, backed by increasing brand penetration, expansion in marketing network, and diversified product profile. Revenue grew at a compound annual rate of over 25% in the three years through fiscal 2018 while operating margin improved by 450 basis points during the same period. The improvement in margin is primarily due to benefits from economies of scale, and control on promotion and marketing expenditure. Operating performance is expected to remain steady over the medium term.
 
Net cash accrual grew 36% in fiscal 2018 compared to the previous year, and is expected to comfortably cover maturing debt and incremental working capital requirement. Cash flow may, therefore, remain positive. Steady accretion to reserve, and the absence of any major capital expenditure plans have improved total outside liabilities to adjusted networth (TOLANW) ratio and debt protection metrics.
 
The rating reflects the company's diversified product portfolio, healthy financial risk profile, and adequate liquidity. The rating also factors in the promoter's extensive experience, and established relations with suppliers. These strengths are offset by high dependency on external vendors, absence of own manufacturing facility, and exposure to regulatory risks and intense competition.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Extensive experience of the promoter, established relations with suppliers and distributors, and diversified product portfolio
Promoter's experience of over 10 years in the entire value chain of the pharmaceutical industry has helped establish a strong network of 75+ distributors/consignees, and 6000+ stockists across the country, and a well-diversified product portfolio. The Leeford brand has high market acceptance.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile
Financial risk profile has improved significantly owing to steady accretion to reserve. TOLANW improved to 1.3 times as on March 31, 2018, from 4 times as on March 31, 2016. Interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios are estimated at 11 and 74%, respectively, as against 3.5 and 26% in fiscal 2016.
 
* Adequate liquidity
Net cash accrual estimated at Rs 43.75 crore in fiscal 2018 should be sufficient to cover maturing debt and incremental working capital requirement. Dependency on borrowing should, therefore, remain row. Utilisation of bank lines averaged 70% in the 12 months through April'18. Gross current assets have been at 110-125 days in the three years through fiscal 2018.  Liquidity is also supported by consistent infusion of funds by the promoter.
 
Weakness
* Absence of own manufacturing facility, and high dependency on external vendors:-
Leeford markets various products manufactured by company's vendors under the brand name of 'Leeford'?. LHL does not have any manufacturing facilities of its own. The gets its products manufactured from various vendors in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal region. Through company has established old relation with their vendors but company is remain exposed to supplier risk.
 
* Exposure to regulatory risks and intense competition:
The pharmaceutical industry is highly regulated, which exposes the company to any adverse regulatory change. Furthermore, intense competition limits growth in revenue and pricing flexibility.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Leeford will continue to benefit over the medium term from its established distribution network, and the extensive experience of its promoter. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if improvement in capital structure, higher profitability, and shorter working capital cycle strengthen key credit metrics. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if stretch in working capital cycle, reduced cash accrual, or large debt-funded capital expenditure weakens financial risk profile, particularly liquidity.

About the Company

Incorporated in 2006 and promoted by Mr Jiwan Lal Gupta, Ludhiana (Punjab)-based Leeford sells pharmaceutical formulations. Products are manufactured for therapeutic segments such as orthopaedic, cardiovascular, antidiabetic, neuro psychiatry, gynaecology, paediatrics, anti-infectives, anti-allergics, analgesics, dermatology, nutraceuticals, injectables, and oral care. In fiscal 2014, the company launched beauty products-face wash, face cream, and deodorants-under its own brand names: Meglow and Alite.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs cr 462.2 342.8
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs cr 29.04 10.96
PAT margin % 6.28 3.20
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.05 1.70
Interest coverage Times 8.2 4.0

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)
Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 50 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  50.00  CRISIL BBB/Stable      27-03-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  14-09-16  CRISIL BB+/Stable  30-03-15  CRISIL BB+/Stable  CRISIL BB+/Stable 
                    09-01-15  CRISIL BB+/Stable   
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 50 CRISIL BBB/Stable Cash Credit 50 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Total 50 -- Total 50 --
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 the Pharmaceutical Industry
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process

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