Rating Rationale
June 29, 2019 | Mumbai
Maithan Alloys Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL AA/Stable'; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.600 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL AA-/Positive')
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 Maithan Alloys Limited (MAL) to 'CRISIL AA/Stable' from 'CRISIL AA-/Positive'. The rating on the short-term facilities has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1+'.

The rating upgrade reflects consistent improvement in MAL's business profile over the last few fiscals through fiscal 2019. Healthy demand and established customer base in India and overseas have helped MAL grow revenue to around Rs 1988 crore in fiscal 2019, from Rs 1863 crore the previous fiscal. The topline is expected to sustain at healthy level over the medium term on account of buoyant demand scenario of end user industry and superior quality of its product. Furthermore, sustenance of optimum capacity utilization levels while maintaining a lean operating cycle has aided MAL sustain healthy operating efficiency.  Healthy capacity utilization level and strong operational capabilities would keep the operating margin and return on capital employed (RoCE) higher than any standalone Ferro-alloy manufacturer over the medium term. The average EBIDTA margin is expected to remain at above 12% across industry cycles.

The rating upgrade also factors in prudent working capital management which has resulted in strong liquidity built up over the years, reflected in healthy liquid funds and largely unutilized bank limits. Though, the company has plans to increase its capacity over the medium term, both, through organic and inorganic route, however, the same would be funded mostly through own funds keeping the debt levels low. Further, the management's stated posture has been to keep the overall gearing at less than 0.5 times at any given point of time going forward, while focusing on operating at negligible debt levels.

The ratings reflects MAL's strong business risk profile driven by its established position in the manganese alloy industry and its robust operating efficiency. The ratings also factor in healthy financial risk profile because of robust capital structure and strong liquidity, along with sound financial flexibility, supported by adequate cash accrual and consistent positive cash flow from operations in the past few fiscals. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to varying demand and volatility in raw material and finished good prices.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of MAL and its subsidiaries AXL Exploration Pvt Ltd (AXL) and Anjaney Minerals Ltd (AML). All the companies are managed by the same set of promoters. Furthermore, AXL and AML are wholly owned subsidiaries of MAL. All the companies are collectively referred to as MAL (details in annexure).

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

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position in the manganese alloy industry:
MAL's strong market position is supported by its broad product portfolio, large manufacturing capacity, and the promoters' extensive experience. MAL is one of the largest domestic producers of manganese-based ferroalloys, with installed capacity of 235,600 tonne per annum (tpa), and holds around 7% of the installed manganese-based ferroalloy capacity in India. MAL plans to set up a unit to manufacture silico-manganes/ferrochrome with installed capacity of 120,000 tpa, funded entirely through internal funds. The promoters have experience of over 2 decades, and strong insight into industry dynamics. Customers include prominent steel producers, such as Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and Tata Steel Ltd. MAL has also increased its presence overseas. These factors should help MAL stabilise and ramp up operations at the new unit early.

* Robust operating efficiency: Operating efficiency is healthy supported by prudent alteration in product mix, efficient power and raw material consumption intended to reduce per tonne cost, presence of manufacturing units at multiple locations for enhanced production efficiency, and lean working capital cycle. Risk management policies are sound, with negligible inventory and largely order-backed procurement. Furthermore, realisations are largely secured by letter of credit-backed sales to new customers or entities with weak credit risk profiles, and open credit allowed to strong entities such as SAIL or to entities with long-term association with MAL.

* Improved financial risk profile: With healthy accretion to reserve, networth is strong, at Rs 1113 crore as on March 31, 2019 (Rs 868.32 crore a year earlier). Also, negligible external debt has kept the capital structure comfortable, as reflected in low gearing of 0.003 time as on March 31, 2019. Though the company has incurred capex of around Rs 69 crore in fiscal 2020 towards acquisition of a sick unit, the same is not likely to affect the financial profile. Financial flexibility is expected to remain robust too. Total outside liability to tangible networth ratio is likely to remain low at under 0.5 time over the medium term despite the proposed capex of Rs 275 crore, as this will be largely funded through own funds. Debt protection metrics are strong, indicated by interest coverage of around 32 times and net cash accrual to total debt ratio of 76 time in fiscal 2019.

Weaknesses
* Vulnerability to volatility in prices of raw material and finished goods:
Operating margin is vulnerable to fluctuations in input prices (such as manganese ore, power, and coke) as well as realisations of finished goods. The prices and supply of the main raw material, manganese ore, directly impacts the realisations of manganese-based ferroalloys, and any sharp change in input prices with no similar change in realisations can dent profitability significantly. Operating margin may remain vulnerable to volatility in input and finished good prices.

* Susceptibility to performance of end-user industry and cyclical demand for ferroalloys: Ferroalloys are intermediates for the steel industry. Hence, the prospects of the ferroalloy industry are linked to the fortunes of the steel industry, which is inherently cyclical, as indicated by a downswing during fiscals 2009 and 2016, resulting in a sharp fall in the demand for, and prices of, ferroalloys. CRISIL believes the MAL's performance will remain susceptible to fluctuations in volume of steel produced.
Liquidity

MAL has strong liquidity profile. Cash accrual has remained heathy in the range of Rs 240-280 crores over the last two fiscals through fiscal 2019. Because of nil debt obligation, the entire accrual will be available to meet incremental working capital requirement, thereby keeping reliance on external funds low. The fund-based bank limit of Rs 90 crore continues to remain largely unutilized. Furthermore, regular capex for product development and innovation is likely to be supported by large cash accrual and will not impact liquidity significantly.

Given the expected increase in demand and healthy capacity utilisation of existing units, MAL plans capex of Rs 275 crore (in fiscal 2020 and 2021), to be funded entirely through own sources. CRISIL believes the proposed capex will not significantly impact MAL's liquidity or financial risk profile, given its healthy accrual and networth. Furthermore, liquidity is supported by significant cash and bank balance of around Rs 706 crore as on March 31, 2019 (Rs 395 crore as on March 31, 2018), driven by prudent working capital management and healthy accrual. This apart, a sizeable portion (upwards of Rs.250 crores) of this unencumbered cash & cash equivalent is expected to be preserved in the business over a longer horizon.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes MAL will maintain a stable business risk profile over the medium term backed by established market position, prudent product mix allocation, and geographically diversified customer base.

Upside scenario
* Substantial increase in revenue or sustenance of healthy profitability, along with stable working capital management and capital structure, leading to better business and financial risk profiles

Downside scenario
* Downturn in demand leading to weakening of operating efficiency
* Larger-than-expected, debt-funded capex weakening financial risk profile and liquidity
* Stretch in working capital cycle

About the Group

Established in 1985, MAL manufactures ferroalloys such as ferro manganese, ferro silicon, and silico manganese, with varying proportions of other chemical compositions. It is a part of the Kolkata-based BMA group and has installed ferroalloy capacity of 235,600 tpa. The company also has 3 wind mills with aggregate capacity of 3.75 megawatt, power produced from which is sold to state electricity boards. The company is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE).
 
AXL and AML own manganese ore mines in Odisha and other states. Both the companies are awaiting mining licences and are currently not operational.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019* 2018
Revenue Rs Cr. 1988.33 1862.98
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr. 255.03 291.73
PAT Margin % 12.8 15.7
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth Times NA 0.05
Interest coverage Times 54.83 48.82
*Provisional

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 90.0 CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Cash Credit & Working Capital demand loan NA NA NA 32.0 CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 404.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 35.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 39.0 CRISIL AA/Stable

Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Entity Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Maithan Alloys Ltd Full consolidation The entities have common promoters and directors. The other two companies are 100% subsidiary.
AXL Exploration Pvt Ltd Full consolidation The entities have common promoters and common directors. 100% subsidiary of MAL.
Anjaney Minerals Ltd Full consolidation The entities have common promoters and directors. 100% subsidiary of MAL.
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  161.00  CRISIL AA/Stable      31-12-18  CRISIL AA-/Positive  30-11-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable    --  -- 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  439.00  CRISIL A1+      31-12-18  CRISIL A1+  30-11-17  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
Bank Guarantee 35 CRISIL A1+ Bank Guarantee 35 CRISIL A1+
Cash Credit 90 CRISIL AA/Stable Cash Credit 90 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Cash Credit & Working Capital demand loan 32 CRISIL AA/Stable Cash Credit & Working Capital demand loan 32 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Letter of Credit 404 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit 404 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 39 CRISIL AA/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 39 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Total 600 -- Total 600 --
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
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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