Rating Rationale
January 08, 2020 | Mumbai
Micro Labs Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Stable'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.430 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Stable (Outlook revised from 'Positive' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long term bank facilities of Micro Labs Limited (Micro Labs; part of the Micro Labs group) to 'Stable' from 'Positive' while reaffirming  its rating at 'CRISIL AA-'. The short term ratings have been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1+'
 
The outlook revision is driven by continued exposure to the unrelated  investing  and financing business which was earlier expected to be demerged from Micro Labs. While real estate segment demerger has been approved and will be effective April 1, 2019, the loan & financing segment will continue under Micro Labs till it is demerged over the medium term. The exposure was about Rs 1,600 crore as on September 30, 2019 with about Rs 950 crore under loans and  financing to real estate entities and the rest as direct investments in real estate projects.Irrespective of demerger plans, the cumulative exposure from Micro Labs towards unrelated businesses is not expected to increase materially over the medium term.  
 
Higher capital expenditure of about Rs 450 crore and incremental working capital requirements led to increase in adjusted debt to about Rs 1,000 crore as on March 31, 2019 (Rs 670 crore, a year earlier) and is expected to remain at similar levels over the medium term. However, the ratio of adjusted debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), is expected remain strong at about 1.4 times in fiscal 2020. Nevertheless, increase in advances to unrelated business and consequent increase in borrowings along with the recoverability of these investments will be key monitorables. Furthermore, operating margin declined to 15.2% in fiscal 2019 from 18.1% a year earlier due to provisioning of about Rs 100 crore. This is related to advances for a slum rehabilitation project in Mumbai which is not expected to be recovered. However, the margin  is expected to remain at about 17% over the medium term, led by strong position in the domestic market and increasing share of the export market.
 
The business risk profile will see a secular improvement over the medium term backed by steady growth in the domestic market and expected increase in contribution from export markets. Domestic sales grew at 11% in the first half of fiscal  2020, largely driven by strong brands, regular new launches, large marketing force, and pan-India distribution network expected to be at similar levels in the future. Exports have grown by  11% to Rs 583 crore in the first half of fiscal 2020 primarily because of large contribution from the US market.
 
The ratings continue to reflect Micro Labs' robust position in the domestic formulations market supported by diversified product portfolio, and healthy financial risk profile because of robust cash accrual and adequate liquidity. These strengths are partially offset by intense competition in some therapeutic segments, susceptibility to regulatory changes in the domestic and international markets, working capital intensive operations, and exposure to investments in unrelated businesses including real estate.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Micro Labs and its 16 subsidiaries because of their significant operational and financial linkages. These entities are together referred to as Micro Labs.

CRISIL has amortised goodwill on the acquisition of RA Chem India Pvt Ltd (RA Chem) over five years from the date of acquisition. Also, CRISIL has adjusted real estate and loans and advances for the unrelated business from the networth.

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
* Strong position in the domestic formulations segment: Micro Labs is ranked 19th in the domestic formulations market, as per All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists -AWACS (July 2019) with a market share of around 2%, based on domestic sales. The company is among the top five players in the liver-therapy and oral anti-diabetic segments, and ranks 11th in the cardio vascular products division. It has a strong market position in therapies such as anti-diabetes, pain management, ophthalmology, and central nervous system and should focus on other chronic and sub-chronic therapies to drive growth. The domestic segment grew by about 12% in fiscal 2019 and is expected to sustain over the medium term.

* Diversified revenue across therapeutic segments and geographies: The domestic market accounted for about 66% of Micro Labs' revenue in the first half of fiscal 2020. The company has  presence in all therapeutic segments, except oncology and respiratory. The chronic care segment accounts for around 60% of the domestic revenue, and anti-bacterials, diabetes, and anti-hypertensives for 40%. The share of exports stood at 34 % in the first half of fiscal 2020 and is expected to gradually increase over the medium term driven by higher growth in regulated markets and institutional sales. To offset any adverse impact of regulatory changes and ensure sustained revenue growth, Micro Labs is looking at maintaining a balanced portfolio between chronic and acute drugs. The acquisition of RA Chem, with presence in manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and clinical research, has also enhanced revenue diversity since fiscal 2017.

* Healthy financial risk profile: Micro Labs' financial risk profile is healthy. Networth, is estimated to remain comfortable at about Rs 2,200 crore (adjusted for investments in unrelated business) as on March 31, 2020. Debt protection metrics are healthy, as reflected in net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios of 0.51 time and 13.1 times, respectively, in fiscal 2019; the metrics are expected to remain strong over the next two years.

Weaknesses
* Susceptibility to intense competition and regulatory changes in the domestic and international markets: Despite being a strong player in the acute segment (40% revenue in fiscal 2019), intense competition constrains Micro Labs' pricing power in the domestic market. Of late, the domestic pharmaceutical sector has also been subject to increased regulatory scrutiny, adding to challenges for players such as ban on fixed-dose combinations (FDC) in fiscal 2017. Besides, the company is required to comply with regulations issued by authorities in various countries, given its international presence. In September 2014, the US FDA had issued an import alert letter to Micro Labs for violation of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) at the Goa plant. Though the impact was minimal as the US accounted for less than 5% of the company's revenue and the same was subsequently lifted post successful re-inspection in March 2017, the company remains exposed to such issues. Further, the warning letter issued to the facility in Jan 2015 has been resolved. During the first half of fiscal 2020, the unit recorded exports of Rs.186 crores.

* Large working capital requirement: Operations are working capital-intensive, as reflected in high gross current assets of around 198 days as on March 31, 2019, (estimated at 210 days as on March 31, 2020), driven by large inventory and export receivables. The company operates in multiple geographies and has a wide product portfolio; hence, it is required to maintain substantial inventory to ensure adequate supply. Given a continuously expanding product portfolio, the working capital requirement will remain large over the medium term.

* Exposure to investments in unrelated businesses, including real estate: Micro Labs started investing in real estate in fiscal 2009 through wholly owned subsidiaries, some of which are involved in projects approved by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority in Mumbai. Direct exposure includes loans to a few developers. Total direct investments in the unrelated business, including the real estate sector, are estimated at Rs 1,600 crore as on September 30, 2019. The company has not received interest on some of the loans and advances because of a slump in the real estate sector. While the company plans to demerge the investing and financing business going forward, any significant increase in investments in unrelated businesses in the interim may impact the company's financial risk profile, and hence, is a key rating sensitivity factor.
Liquidity Strong

Liquidity is strong, backed by healthy net cash accrual of Rs 490-550 crore per fiscal against debt obligation of Rs 89 crore and Rs 140 crore in fiscals 2020 and 2021, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents of about Rs 219 crore as on March 31, 2019, related to the pharma division, are expected to sustain at Rs 230-250 crore for the next two years. Bank limit utilisation averaged 53% over the 12 months through September 2019.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Micro Labs will maintain its diversified revenue profile across geographies and its healthy cash accrual over the medium term. The financial risk profile is expected to remain comfortable, with adequate networth, low gearing, and no major debt-funded capital expenditure.

Rating sensitivity factors
Upward Factors
*Steady increase in revenue growth driven by high exports
*Sustained improvement in profitability to over 19%, led by increased revenue and continued benefits of backward integration (RA Chem)
*Recovery in key credit metrics as expected, primarily related to leverage, driven by demerger of unrelated business or substantial reduction in exposure to unrelated businesses

Downward Factors
*Material decline in revenue growth and/or operating profitability falling below 15% due to regulatory issues, or increased competition
*Substantial weakening in the capital structure on account of higher-than-anticipated borrowings towards demerger of unrelated businesses
*Increase in exposure to unrelated business to over Rs 2,000 crore.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1973, Micro Labs is managed by Mr Dilip Surana and Mr Anand Surana. The company manufactures and distributes pharmaceutical formulations in India and abroad; it has presence in more than 60 countries.
 
RA Chem, based in Hyderabad, is a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company with manufacturing facilities in Jaggayyapeta (Andhra Pradesh), Nacharam, and Balanagar (both in Telangana). It manufactures APIs and formulations and undertakes clinical research. Micro Labs acquired a 73% stake in RA Chem in fiscal 2017 for Rs 332 crore and increased it to 83.5% in fiscal 2019. It plans to buy the remaining stake in the near-to-medium term.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 3774 3408
Adjusted Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 319 418
Adjusted PAT margin % 8.2 11.9
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth* Times 0.54 0.36
Adjusted interest coverage Times 13.01 19.22
*Adjusted for investments in unrelated business

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 210.00 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 220.00 CRISIL A1+
*Fully interchangeable with packing credit
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of entities consolidated Extent of consolidation Subsidiary/Associate
Brown & Burk UK Ltd Full  Subsidairy
Micro Labs GMBH Full  Subsidairy
Micro Labs USA Inc Full  Subsidairy
Micro Nova Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Nigeria Full  Subsidairy
Micro Labs Pty Limited Full  Subsidairy
Brown & Burk AB (Wholly Own Subsidiary company of Brown & Burk UK Ltd) Full  Subsidairy
Micro Labs Holdings FZE Full  Subsidairy
Microsynergy Pharmaceuticals FZCO (Subsidiary of Micro Labs Holdings FZE) Full  Subsidairy
Microsynergy Pharmaceuticals FZLLC (Subsidiary of Microsynergy Pharmaceuticals FZCO) Full  Subsidairy
Micro Infrastructure IndIa Pvt . Ltd. Full  Subsidairy
DNR Corporation Pvt. Ltd. Full  Subsidairy
RA Chem Pharma Limited (Along with Laxmi RA Holdings & Investments Limited) Full  Subsidairy
Laxmi RA Holdings & Investments Private Limited Full  Subsidairy
Indu Pharma Private Limited (Subsidiary of RA Chem Pharma Limited) Full  Subsidairy
India SME Investment LLP Moderately consolidated  Associates
Manne Laboratories Private Limited Full  Subsidairy
Stern Chempharm LLLP Moderately consolidated  Assocaites
Pragatej Builders & Developers Private Limited Full  Subsidairy
DNR Infracon LLP Moderately consolidated  Assocaites
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  430.00  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+          31-10-18  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ CRISIL A1+  11-07-17  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ 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* 210 CRISIL AA-/Stable Cash Credit* 210 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Packing Credit 220 CRISIL A1+ Packing Credit 220 CRISIL A1+
Total 430 -- Total 430 --
*Fully interchangeable with packing credit
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 the Pharmaceutical Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

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