Rating Rationale
August 24, 2018 | Mumbai
Megastar Foods Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL BB+/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.28.92 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.23.5 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB+/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BB/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Assigned)
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 Megastar Foods Limited (MFL) to 'CRISIL BB+/Stable' from 'CRISIL BB/Stable' and assigned its 'CRISIL A4+' rating to its short-term facility.

The upgrade reflects expected improvement in financial risk profile with likely increase in networth following issuance of shares post initial public offering in May 2018 that led to infusion of Rs 8.04 crore in the company. As a result, gearing  is expected to improve to 1.8-2.2 times as on March 31, 2019, from 3.5 times as on March 31, 2018. The upgrade also factors in the expected improvement in scale of operations in fiscal 2019 on account of increase in capacity utilisation to 80% in the current fiscal from 60-65% in fiscal 2018. Turnover was Rs 102 crore in fiscal 2018. With infusion of funds, the company's dependence on external bank funding is also expected to remain limited and hence aid liquidity over the medium term.

The ratings reflect the extensive experience of MFL's promoters in the flour mill industry and their funding support, and established clientele. These strengths are partially offset by an average financial risk profile; modest scale of operations in a highly fragmented industry; high working capital requirementsand exposure to changes in monsoon pattern and government policy.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Extensive experience of promoters: Presence of around 18 years in the flour mill business through group entities has enabled the promoters to develop strong relationship with traders and suppliers.

* Established customer base: Within seven years of operations, the company has successfully marketed products to institutional clients such as Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, ITC Ltd, and Nestle India Ltd; as well as to wholesalers.

* Expected improvement in gearing: Infusion of funds on account of issuance of shares is expected to improve gearing to 1.8-2 times as on March 31, 2019, from 3.5 times as on March 31, 2018.

Weaknesses
* Average debt protection metrics: Modest profitability led to muted debt protection metrics, with net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios of 0.07 time and 1.8 times, respectively, for fiscal 2018.

* Exposure to changes in monsoon pattern and government policy: The company procures wheat from farmers during the harvest season and from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) during off-season. Shortage in wheat production due to irregular monsoon may adversely affect operations and profitability. Margin is also susceptible to government policies on wheat, such as statutory minimum price, quota allocation by FCI, and control over imports.

* High working capital requirements: Gross current assets rose to 110 days as on March 31, 2018, from 76 days as on March 31, 2017, on account of increase in inventory to 76 days from 26 days. Inventory has increased as on March 31, 2018 due to change in company's policy to increase stocking of wheat post increase in minimum support price by government of India in fiscal 2019.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes MFL will continue to benefit from extensive experience of the promoters  in the flour mill industry and established clientele. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if sustained revenue growth and higher-than-expected cash accrual lead to an improved financial risk profile. . The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if lower-than-expected net cash accrual, sizeable working capital requirement, or substantial debt-funded capital expenditure further weakens financial risk profile, particularly liquidity.

About the Company

Incorporated in 2011 and promoted by Mr Vikas Gupta, Mr Vikas Goel, and Mr Pankaj Goyal, MFL processes wheat to produce maida, suji, atta, and bran at its unit in Chandigarh, which has capacity of 275 tonne per day. The company was listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange in fiscal 2019.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs.Crore 102.8 97.7
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 1.30 1.05
PAT Margins % 1.3 1.1
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 3.58 3.04
Interest coverage Times 1.87 1.84

Status of non cooperation with previous CRA
MFL has not cooperated with Credit Analysis & Research Ltd. (CARE) which has Classified it as Non Cooperative vide release dated November 28th 2017. The reason provided by CARE is non-furnishing of information required for monitoring of ratings.

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 Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 0.5 CRISIL A4+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 25 CRISIL BB+/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Jun-2023 3.42 CRISIL BB+/Stable
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  28.42  CRISIL BB+/Stable      04-09-17  CRISIL BB/Stable  02-11-16  Suspended  30-06-15  CRISIL BB-/Stable  CRISIL B+/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  0.50  CRISIL A4+    --    --    --    --  -- 
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 .5 CRISIL A4+ Cash Credit 20 CRISIL BB/Stable
Cash Credit 25 CRISIL BB+/Stable Term Loan 3.5 CRISIL BB/Stable
Term Loan 3.42 CRISIL BB+/Stable -- 0 --
Total 28.92 -- Total 23.5 --
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
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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