Rating Rationale
January 15, 2019 | Mumbai
MSN Laboratories Private Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL A+/Stable' ; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1047 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL A/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Reaffirmed)
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 facilities of MSN Laboratories Private Limited (MSN Labs; part of the MSN group) to 'CRISIL A+/Stable' from 'CRISIL A/Stable', while short term rating is reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1'.
 
The upgrade reflects CRISIL's belief that MSN Group's business risk profile will strengthen further over the medium term supported by strong market position, healthy revenue visibility while maintaining healthy operating margin, leading to stronger cash accrual. The upgrade also factors in sustenance of healthy financial risk profile and liquidity.
 
MSN Group is expected to sustain its healthy growth momentum and register 15-20% compound annual growth rate in revenue over the medium term, backed by its established market position and diversified product basket, dominant position in key products segments, and an established clientele. The group is one of the leading manufacturers of APIs in India and has developed more than 200 products catering to over different therapeutic segments. The group has continuously expanded existing product capacities and increased level of backward integration, which has enabled it to scale up operations profitably. In addition to this, MSN Group has also been receiving approvals from US FDA for Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) filed in the last couple of years. Topline grew to Rs 2165 crore in fiscal 2018 from Rs 1757 crore in fiscal 2017 and is expected to grow to Rs 3000 Crore in FY19.Improving scale and strong portfolio of products will help sustain the operating margin at 23-25%. Annual cash accrual is expected to be over Rs 400 Crore.CRISIL believes that the group will benefit from vertical integration of API & intermediates, increasing expertise in product formulation, along with the company's ability to manufacture high barrier of entry finished dosage forms
 
Networth increased to Rs 1999 crore as on March 31, 2018, from Rs 1687 crore in previous year and is expected to improve to over Rs 2500 crore over the next two years. Gearing was 0.50 time as on March 31, 2018. Despite capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 1050 crore (debt-funded by Rs 650 crore) over the next two years for business expansion, gearing is expected to remain in the 0.5-0.6 time range due to high accretion to reserves. Debt protection metrics are robust, with estimated net cash accrual to total debt (NCATD) and interest coverage ratios of 41 percent and 15 times, respectively, for fiscal 2019. Metrics had remained in line with the past levels, supported by healthy operating efficiencies and cash accrual. Financial risk profile will remain steady over the medium term.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of MSN Labs, Maithri Drugs Pvt Ltd, Maithri Laboratories Pvt Ltd, MSN Life Sciences Private Ltd, MSN Organics Private Ltd, MSN Pharmachem Pvt Ltd, MSN Research and Development Pvt Ltd (MRDPL), and MSN Pharmaceuticals INC. This is because all these companies, together referred to as the MSN group, operate under the same management and have considerable operational and financial linkages.

Please refer Annexure - Details of consolidation, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established presence in the bulk drugs segment - Strong market position in the API business, backed by a diversified product portfolio, established clientele, and sound operating efficiencies.

* Steady relationship with established players - Established relationship with top pharma players and strengths in R&D result in healthy operating profitability.

* Strong financial risk profile - Networth will likely be Rs 2331 crore and total outside liabilities to tangible net worth ratio robust at 0.9 time, as on March 31, 2019. Debt protection metrics will be healthy, with NCATD and interest coverage ratios of 0.4 time and 15 times, respectively, in fiscal 2019.

 Weakness
* Working capital-intensive operations: Gross current assets were 306 days as on March 31, 2018.

* Exposure to intense competition: The group is susceptible to fluctuations in raw material prices, industry competition, and regulatory risks.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the MSN group will continue to benefit over the medium term from its established market position in the API business; financial risk profile should remain healthy supported by strong net cash accrual. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if the group sustains revenue growth while maintaining profitability. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if lower-than-expected revenue or operating margin affects cash flow, or if stretched working capital cycle or ongoing debt-funded capex or acquisition weakens key credit metrics.
 
Liquidity
Liquidity profile of MSN Group is marked by healthy cushion between accruals & repayments, healthy current ratio and high bank limit utilization. MSN Group has generated cash accruals of Rs. 404 Cr against repayment obligations of Rs.34 Cr for FY18 and is expected to maintain surplus cushion between accruals and repayment obligations over the medium term. Due to working capital intensive operations, bank limits are highly utilized at above 95% for the past 21 months ending September 2018. Current ratio remains healthy at 1.8 times as on March 31, 2018.CRISIL believes, liquidity profile of MSN Group would remain comfortable over the medium term.

About the Group

Established in 2003 in Hyderabad, the MSN group manufactures APIs and formulations. Operations are managed by Mr M S N Reddy. APIs contribute around 80% to overall turnover, while the balance 20% comes from formulations.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs. Cr. 2165 1757
Profit After Tax Rs. Cr. 329 334
PAT margins % 15.2 19.0
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.5 0.2
Interest coverage Times 11.7 15.5

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. Crs)
Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 300 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 15 CRISIL A1
NA Term Loan NA NA Feb-2024 644.58 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Working Capital Demand Loan NA NA NA 50 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA Mar-2030 37.42 CRISIL A+/Stable
 
Annexure - Details of Consolidation
Fully Consolidated Entities
Maithri Drugs Private Limited
Maithri Laboratories Private Limited
MSN Life Sciences Private Limited
MSN Laboratories Private Limited
MSN Organics Private Limited
MSN Pharmachem Private Limited
MSN Research and Development Pvt Ltd
MSN Pharmaceuticals INC
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1032.00  CRISIL A+/Stable      02-02-18  CRISIL A/Stable  25-05-17  CRISIL A/Stable    --  -- 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  15.00  CRISIL A1      02-02-18  CRISIL A1  25-05-17  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 300 CRISIL A+/Stable Cash Credit 300 CRISIL A/Stable
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 15 CRISIL A1 Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 15 CRISIL A1
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 37.42 CRISIL A+/Stable Term Loan 682 CRISIL A/Stable
Term Loan 644.58 CRISIL A+/Stable Working Capital Demand Loan 50 CRISIL A/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan 50 CRISIL A+/Stable -- 0 --
Total 1047 -- Total 1047 --
Links to related criteria
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for the Pharmaceutical Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
Criteria for rating entities belonging to homogenous groups

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