Rating Rationale
June 22, 2018 | Mumbai
Lumax Auto Technologies Limited
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.72 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Positive
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+
 
Rs.20 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper of Lumax Auto Technologies Limited (LATL; part of the LATL group) continues to reflect the LATL group's healthy financial risk profile because of strong capital structure and sound debt protection metrics, established position in the auto illumination products market, and steady relationships with key customers. These strengths are partially offset by customer concentration in revenue and vulnerability of profitability to volatility in raw material prices.

On May 31, 2018, CRISIL had revised its rating outlook on the long-term bank facilities of LATL to 'Positive' from 'Stable', while reaffirming the 'CRISIL A+' rating. CRISIL had assigned its 'CRISIL A1+' rating to the company's short-term facility and upgraded its rating on the commercial paper to 'CRISIL A1+' from 'CRISIL A1'.

The outlook revision reflects CRISIL's belief that the LATL group's business risk profile will improve over the medium term, supported by steady demand from the two-wheeler industry, strong ties with leading automotive (auto) original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), increasing scale of operations at its new Bengaluru facility for Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India Pvt Ltd (HMSI), and improving product diversity through collaborations. Revenue growth is expected at 12-15% over the medium term driven by the group's established position in the lighting products market, while operating margin should remain healthy backed by better operating efficiency and improved performance of subsidiaries and joint ventures (JVs). Modest expansion, to be funded primarily through accrual, will enable diversification of product portfolio and customer mix.

The group continues to follow a conservative financial policy of funding capital expenditure (capex) and working capital requirement through internal cash accrual, and is likely to become debt-free over the medium term. Its annual net cash accrual is expected to rise to Rs 100 crore over the medium term from Rs 82 crore in fiscal 2018, against negligible annual term loan obligation, limited capex of Rs 50-60 crore per annum, and modest incremental working capital requirement, which will help sustain a healthy financial risk profile and comfortable liquidity.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of LATL and its subsidiaries, Lumax DK Auto Industries Ltd (LDK), Lumax Integrated Ventures Ltd (LIVL), and Lumax Management Services Pvt Ltd, 55% JV Lumax Mannoh Allied Technologies Ltd (LMAT), and equal JVs Lumax Cornaglia Auto Technologies Pvt Ltd (LCAT) and Lumax Gill-Austem Auto Technologies Pvt Ltd (LGAT). All the companies, collectively referred to as the LATL group (part of the DK Jain group), and are in the same business.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established position in the auto lighting products segment and strong relationships with key customers
LATL, along with its subsidiary LDK, has an established position in the auto lighting products industry and strong relationships with key customers, Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) and Lumax Industries Ltd (LIL). The LATL group mainly supplies two-wheeler and three-wheeler lighting products and two-wheeler chassis to BAL, and four-wheeler gear shift assemblies to Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Company, Renault-Nissan etc. In an effort to further diversify its product offerings, the group has commenced supplies of Swing arms for two-wheelers and Trailing arms for three-wheelers. The group has a network of over 400 distributors across India for aftermarket sales. It continues to pursue JVs to augment product profile and expand geographically, which should benefit growth prospects over the medium term.

* Healthy financial risk profile
Gearing is robust and debt protection metrics strong, backed by steady cash accrual, large networth, and low debt. Supported by healthy revenue growth and improved operating margin, net cash accrual is estimated to have increased to Rs 75 crore in fiscal 2018 from Rs 14 crore in fiscal 2009. Networth is estimated to have risen to Rs 373 crore as on March 31, 2018, from Rs 64 crore as on March 31, 2009, because of increased accretion to reserves.

Weaknesses
* Customer concentration in revenue
BAL, MSIL, and LIL collectively account for around 55% of the LATL group's sales. Despite strong customer relationships, revenue and margin will be affected if a major client changes business plans. As a strategic volume partner to BAL, the LATL group faces demand fluctuation risk on an ongoing basis, which leads to volatility in revenue and margin, especially when capacity is underutilised.

* Vulnerability to volatile raw material prices
Main raw material used for making plastic powder is polypropylene (PP), which is a downstream petrochemical product. Hence, PP price is directly linked to crude oil price, which is highly volatile. Also, steel prices were volatile in the past 4-5 years. Given that most customers are OEMs, the group does not have the cushion to fully pass on price increase as price revision happens annually.
Outlook: Positive

CRISIL believes that the LATL group's revenue will grow at a healthy pace over the medium term along with steady margins, supported by its diversified product mix and established customer base. The group's financial risk profile is expected to improve further, supported by healthy growth in cash accruals, modest capex and working capital requirements, and low reliance on external debt.

Upside Scenario
* Better than expected growth in revenue growth and diversification of customer base and product mix
* Better than expected improvement in profitability

Downside Scenario:
* Sharp decline in revenue and profitability due to slowdown in end-user industry
* Unexpected changes in procurement strategy by key customers, resulting in suboptimal capacity utilisation
* Large, debt-funded capex for acquisition or substantial investment in unrelated ventures/real estate.

About the Group

The LATL group is part of the DK Jain group of companies. LATL was incorporated in 1981 as Lumax Auto Electricals Pvt Ltd, and was renamed Dhanesh Auto Electricals Pvt Ltd in 1988 and Dhanesh Auto Electricals Ltd in 1998. It got its current name in 2006. LATL has two main divisions: lighting systems (55% of revenue), and sheet metal components, gear shifters, and moulded parts (45%). The company manufactures lighting products (head lamps, tail lamps, and blinkers) in Pune; sheet metal components, mainly chassis, for BAL's two-wheelers in Aurangabad; moulded parts for HMSI at its facility in Bengaluru; and electronic components for LED lighting in Manesar, Haryana. The company's aftermarket division (domestic and export) trades in auto components such as lightings, accessories, and audio and navigation systems.

LDK, incorporated in 1997, is a wholly owned subsidiary of LATL. The company manufactures auto components, including gear shifter assemblies, head and tail lamp assemblies, moulded parts, and parking brakes. Majority of revenue comes from supply of lighting products and moulded parts to BAL, and the remaining from gear shifter assemblies and parking brakes for MSIL. Manufacturing plants are in Pantnagar and Manesar.

LDK's gear shifter business was demerged, effective April 2014, into LMAT, which is a 55:45 JV between LATL and Mannoh Industrial Co Ltd, Japan.

LIVL is an investment company and is a 100% subsidiary of LATL, incorporated in fiscal 2016. LIVL is the engine for LATL's non-auto business. The company has a 100% subsidiary, Lumax Energy Solutions Pvt Ltd, which deals in LED lighting products. LIVL entered into a JV with SIPAL SpA (Lumax SIPAL Engineering Pvt Ltd) that deals in defence services. LIVL holds 51% equity with management control over the JV while SIPAL SpA holds 49% equity.

LCAT is a JV between LATL and Officine Metallurgiche G Cornaglia, SpA, Italy, through the Italian's company's subsidiary, Cornaglia Metallurgical Products India Pvt Ltd. The JV commenced operations in fiscal 2008 and manufactures and supplies air-intake systems and exhaust systems to automotive manufacturers. Facilities are in Pune.

LGAT is a JV between LATL and Gill-Austem LLC, a JV between two Gill Group, USA, and Austem, Korea. LGAT manufactures components such as seating mechanisms, seating assemblies, and head restraints for the auto industry. LATL's seat frame business will be transferred to this JV. Facilities are in Pune.

On a consolidated basis, net profit was Rs 57.11 crore in fiscal 2018 (Rs 40.08 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year) on net sales of Rs 1111.47 crore (Rs 965.42 crore). On a standalone basis, net profit was Rs 29.22 crore in fiscal 2018 (Rs 5.39 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year) on net sales of Rs 595.93 crore (Rs 480.73 crore).

Key Financial Indicators (LATL Group)
As on / for the period ended March 31 Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs Crore 1013.99 909.16
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Crore 38.44 34.17
PAT margin % 3.79 3.76
Adjusted debt/adjusted Networth Times 0.13 0.13
Interest coverage Times 20.75 15.29

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 27 CRISIL A+/Positive
NA Short Term Loan NA NA NA 10 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long-Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 35 CRISIL A+/Positive
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 20 CRISIL A1+
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
Commercial Paper  ST  20.00  CRISIL A1+  31-05-18  CRISIL A1+  22-06-17  CRISIL A1  02-09-16  CRISIL A1    --  -- 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  72.00  CRISIL A+/Positive/ CRISIL A1+  31-05-18  CRISIL A+/Positive/ CRISIL A1+  22-06-17  CRISIL A+/Stable  02-09-16  CRISIL A+/Stable  18-05-15  CRISIL A/Positive  CRISIL A/Stable 
                17-08-16  CRISIL A+/Stable       
                29-07-16  CRISIL A+/Stable       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST    --    --    --    --    --  CRISIL A1 
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 27 CRISIL A+/Positive Cash Credit 27 CRISIL A+/Positive
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 35 CRISIL A+/Positive Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 15 CRISIL A+/Positive
Short Term Loan 10 CRISIL A1+ Short Term Loan 10 CRISIL A1+
-- 0 -- Term Loan* 20 CRISIL A+/Positive
Total 72 -- Total 72 --
*Fully repaid, CRISIL is awaiting banker's confirmation to withdraw the rating
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 Auto Component Suppliers
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Jyoti Parmar
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1835
B: +91 22 3342 3000
 jyoti.parmar@crisil.com

Anuj Sethi
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 44 6656 3100
anuj.sethi@crisil.com


Akshay Chitgopekar
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8309
akshay.chitgopekar@crisil.com


Biswa Sukla
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 44 6656 3137
Biswa.Sukla@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL