Rating Rationale
October 04, 2018 | Mumbai
Lumax Gill-Austem Auto Technologies Private Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.13 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+' ratings on the bank facilities of Lumax Gill-Austem Auto Technologies Private Limited (LGAT).

LGAT's revenue and profitability were impacted in fiscal 2018, due to loss of higher-margin seating structure business from its key customer. However, ramp up in revenue is expected over the medium term, supported by growing volumes in the business from existing customers, as well as possible addition of clients. Operating profitability is expected to sustain at 6-7% over the medium term, supported by benefits of higher capacity utilisation and improving cost efficiencies. 

The dilution of receivables associated with seating mechanism business, however, helped the company prepay its debt and achieve zero debt status.

The ratings continue to reflect company's established customer relationships, and healthy financial risk profile and liquidity. The ratings also factor in the operational and financial support the company derives from its partners, Gill-Austem LLC (US based seat frame and mechanism manufacturer) and Lumax Auto Technologies Ltd (LATL, an automotive component manufacturer in India; rated 'CRISIL A+/Positive/CRISIL A1+').

These strengths are partially offset by limited track record in its seating business, customer concentration risks, and cyclicality in the automotive components industry.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Business risk profile is backed by the support of parents: The business profile is marked by the strength of its Joint Venture (JV) partners. The company derives technological and operational support from Gill-Austem LLC. Austem Co. Ltd's role in the JV is to provide operations support in terms of line development, production and stabilisation whereas Gill Industries Inc's role is to provide design and marketing support. The company mainly supplies to Lear Corp for models of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Jeep Renegade) and General Motors (Beat). Apart from this, seating structures are supplied to Tata Motors (Hexa) and Mahindra and Mahindra (XUV 500).

* Healthy financial profile and liquidity: The financial profile is healthy, supported by debt free capital structure. Cash accrual, though likely to moderate from fiscal 2017 levels, will be adequate to meet the internal requirement for capex and working capital. Hence, the company is unlikely to contract debt over the medium term. The unutilised bank lines of Rs 9 crore over the 12 months through June 2018, liquid surplus of Rs 2.7 crore as of March 2018, willingness and ability of the JV partners to provide support in case of exigencies, further support liquidity.

Weaknesses
* Limited track record and customer concentration in revenue: The commercial operations commenced about three years ago in October 2015. Though the company has intrinsic support from the JV partners, it is yet to achieve optimal scale of operations with its current capacities. Furthermore, the company is dependent on a single customer, Lear Corp, for its entire revenue. Revenue will remain susceptible to client concentration risks until customer diversification is achieved.

* Cyclicality in the automotive components industry: The revenue is largely dependent on demand from passenger vehicle (PV) industry, which in turn depends on a number of factors, such as disposable income levels, consumer preferences, credit availability and fuel prices. Dependence on the PV segment for the bulk of its business poses a risk to revenue and profitability, in case this segment witnesses any significant slowdown.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes LGAT's credit risk profile will benefit from its improving scale of operations in seating structure business and healthy financial risk profile. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if there is significant and sustained improvement in revenue and cash accrual, while maintaining its financial risk profile and working capital cycle. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if improvement in low cash accruals or raise in debt levels, due to higher-than-expected debt funded capital expenditure or working capital, weakens the financial risk profile.

About LGAT
LGAT is an equal (50:50) JV between LATL and Gill-Austem LLC. Gill-Austem LLC is also an equal JV between Gill Group, USA, and Austem Co. Ltd, Korea. The Gill group supplies precision-engineered assemblies and modules for the automotive, multi-use vehicle and furniture industries. Headquartered in US, it operates 20 manufacturing, development and strategic partner centres in the US, Europe, China, India, Korea and Mexico. Austem Co. Ltd is manufactures automotive parts and accessories, such as steel wheels, body components, chassis components and modules, and seat mechanisms. The company has manufacturing locations in Korea, China and Uzbekistan.

LGAT, formed in fiscal 2014, manufactures components, such as seating mechanisms, seating assemblies, and head restraints for the automotive industry. The first year of operations was in fiscal 2016 and the manufacturing unit is based in Pune.

LGAT's reported loss of Rs 86 lakhs on operating income of Rs 60.34 crore for fiscal 2018, against a PAT of Rs 5.85 lakhs on operating income of Rs 81.71 crore for fiscal 2017.

About LATL
The Lumax group is part of the DK Jain group of companies. LATL was incorporated in 1981 as Lumax Auto Electricals Pvt Ltd, which 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 (35% of revenue), aftermarket (19%), sheet metal components (8%), intake systems (4%) gear shifters and parking brakes (11%), moulded parts (14%) and others (9%). 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) involves in trading activity of various automotive components, such as lightings, accessories, audio and navigation systems, and other automotive components.

At a consolidated level, the Lumax group's profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 57.1 crore on an operating income of Rs 1138 crore for fiscal 2018, against a PAT of Rs 40 crore on an operating income of Rs 1039 crore for fiscal 2017.

About Gill-Austem
Gill-Austem LLC is also an equal JV between Gill Industries Inc. (USA) and Austem Co. Ltd (Korea) that manufactures and sells components, such as seating mechanisms, seating assemblies and head restraints for the automotive industry. The Gill-Austem Group has a strong presence in North America, Europe and Asia in seating assembly business.

Key Financial Indicators*
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 60.34 81.71
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore -0.86 5.85
PAT Margins % -1.4 7.2
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.00 0.44
Interest coverage Times 15.48 21.29
*CRISIL adjusted numbers

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 Cash Credit* NA NA NA 9.0 CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Buyers Credit^ NA NA NA 4.0 CRISIL A3+
*Working capital demand loan/Buyer's credit/Bills discounting sublimit of Cash Credit;
^Capex buyers credit
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  13.00  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ CRISIL A3+      11-10-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ CRISIL A3+    --    --  -- 
            28-09-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ CRISIL A3+           
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
Buyer`s Credit^ 4 CRISIL A3+ Cash Credit* 9 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Cash Credit* 9 CRISIL BBB/Stable Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 1.6 CRISIL A3+
-- 0 -- Term Loan 2.4 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Total 13 -- Total 13 --
*Working capital demand loan/Buyer's credit/Bills discounting sublimit of Cash Credit
^Capex buyers credit
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Auto Component Suppliers
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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

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


Sameer Charania
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8025
sameer.charania@crisil.com


Yatinder Prasad
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2108
Yatinder.Prasad@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