Rating Rationale
December 30, 2020 | Mumbai
Lotus Chocolate Company Limited
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.8 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB/Stable (Reaffirmed)
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 facility of Lotus Chocolate Company Limited (LCCL).

The rating continues to reflect the company's longstanding presence in the cocoa industry and the promoters' financial support. These strengths are partially offset by modest scale of operations, average financial risk profile and susceptibility to volatility in price of cocoa bean.

LCCL recorded 6.5% revenue growth in fiscal 2020, while operating profitability moderated to 2.2% due to higher raw material prices. Operating performance will be subdued in fiscal 2021 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the operating margin will remain stable driven by higher realisations. The company has nil term debt obligation, limited external borrowing and promoter support through interest-free unsecured loans. Furthermore, the rollover of Rs 7.4 crore, 10% redeemable cumulative preference shares (RCPS) with redemption period of 10 years, received National Company Law Tribunal approval in July 2019.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the rating, CRISIL has considered the standalone business and financial risk profiles of LCCL.

Unsecured loan of Rs 12.99 crore as on March 31, 2020, from the promoters has been treated as neither debt nor equity as the loan is interest-free.

Of the Rs 7.4 crore, 10% RCPS with a redemption period of 10 years, issued in fiscal 2019, 75% has been treated as equity and 25% as debt, as these are from the promoters and are expected to remain in the business over the medium term.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Longstanding presence in the cocoa and chocolate products industry
LCCL has been in the cocoa and chocolate products industry for 25 years. It has established strong relationship with reputed customers such as Amul (Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Ltd), Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt Ltd and Parle Products Pvt Ltd.

* Access to need-based financial support from promoters
The promoters have infused Rs 20.4 crore into the business as of March 31, 2020. Hence, despite cash losses in the past, the company has been able to meet capital expenditure (capex) and incremental working capital requirement without resorting to bank borrowing. The promoters will, likely, continue to extend support whenever necessary as demonstrated in the past.
 
Weaknesses:
* Modest scale of operations
Despite having commenced operations in 1988, LCCL remains a modest player in the cocoa and chocolate industry, as reflected in revenue of Rs 55-65 crore over the seven fiscals through 2020. The seasonal nature of key raw material, cocoa beans, and the management's conservative stance towards debt for building cocoa bean reserves during the off-season have resulted in low capacity utilisation. However, with expansion into new product segments and gradual ramp-up in capacity utilisation, revenue is expected to grow at a steady pace over the medium term. Scale may, nevertheless, remain modest.

* Limited pricing power and susceptibility to volatility in cocoa bean price
Operating margin is susceptible to volatility in cocoa bean price. This is compounded by the company's inability to fully pass on any increase in price to customers due to intense competition and modest scale. Hence, operating profitability was low at 2-4% over the past five fiscals. Though cost-reduction measures and expected ramp-up in operations over the medium term will benefit the operating margin, it will remain susceptible to volatility in raw material price and limited pricing power.

* Average financial risk profile
Networth was negative Rs 1.82 crore as on March 31, 2020, due to accumulated losses of around Rs 28 crore, and is expected to remain negative over the medium term because of modest scale and low accretion to reserve. However, dependence on external debt is expected to be low because of negligible capex and continued funding support from the promoters. Hence, interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios are expected to be adequate at over 10 times and 0.5 time, respectively in the medium term, against 8 times and 0.48 time, respectively, in fiscal 2020.
Liquidity Adequate

Liquidity is adequate, driven by promoter support, nil long term debt obligations and low external debt. Going forward, cash accrual is expected at over Rs 1.5 crore per annum in the medium term against which the company has no term debt obligation. Bank limit utilisation was low at less than 20% for the 6 months through November 2020. Liquidity is likely to remain adequate, with only maintenance capex of under Rs 0.5 crore, largely unutilised bank lines and continued promoter support.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes LCCL will continue to benefit from its long track record in the industry, established relationship with key customers, forthcoming promoter support and low reliance on external debt.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factors
* Sustained improvement in cash accrual to over Rs 3 crore
* Improvement in networth and sustenance of adequate debt protection metrics

Downward factors
* Steep increase in debt due to large capex or working capital resulting in interest cover of less than 1.5 times and stretch in liquidity
* Steep decline in profitability margins or revenues
* Change in stance of promoter support.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1988 and promoted Mr Prakash Pai (managing partner of Puzzolana Machinery Fabricators (Hyderabad) LLP [rated 'CRISIL A+/Stable/CRISIL A1']) and his brother, Mr Ananth Pai, LCCL processes cocoa beans into cocoa powder and cocoa butter, and also sells chocolates under the Lotus brand. Head office is in Hyderabad and manufacturing unit in Medak, Andhra Pradesh.
 
In the first six months of fiscal 2021, net profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 0.47 crore on net sales of Rs 18 crore, against PAT of Rs 0.9 crore on net sales of Rs 37 crore during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2020 2019
Revenue Rs crore 70 66
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 1 1
PAT Margin % 1.26 2.03
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times NM NM
Interest coverage Times 8.23 13.47

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
Levels
Rating assigned with outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 8.0 NA CRISIL BB/Stable
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  8.00  CRISIL BB/Stable      25-09-19  CRISIL BB/Stable      29-12-17  CRISIL B+/Stable  CRISIL B/Stable 
            20-03-19  CRISIL B+/Stable      03-07-17  CRISIL B/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 8 CRISIL BB/Stable Cash Credit 8 CRISIL BB/Stable
Total 8 -- Total 8 --
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 Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry

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