Rating Rationale
October 31, 2018 | Mumbai
Micro Labs Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.430 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Positive (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities of Micro Labs Limited (Micro Labs) at 'CRISIL AA-/Positive/CRISIL A1+'.
 
The reaffirmation reflects CRISIL's belief that the business risk profile will see a secular improvement over the medium term backed by steady growth in domestic market and expected increase in contribution from export markets. Domestic sales growth was slow at 5% in fiscal 2018, largely on account of GST blip in the first quarter and is expected to recover to 9-10% going forward, driven by established brands, regular new launches, large marketing force, and pan-India distribution network. Exports grew by 16% in fiscal 2018 and are expected to register similar growth driven by improvement in regulated market and institutional sales, post the successful re-inspection of company's manufacturing facility in Goa in March 2017. The import alert issued to this facility by US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) in September 2014 was lifted subsequently while the warning letter, which is still pending, is expected to be cleared in the near term. Further, operating margin, which improved to 18% in fiscal 2018 (16% in fiscal 2017) supported by successful integration of acquisition of RA Chem Pharma Pvt Ltd (RA Chem) in fiscal 2017, is expected to sustain at 17-18% going forward.
 
The reaffirmation also factors the management's on-going restructuring plans to demerge the real estate and investment and financing divisions into separate group companies by the end of fiscal 2019; the application for demerger has been filed with National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in September 2018. Post demerger, these entities will have no financial linkages with Micro labs. As on March 31, 2018, the segmental assets related to these divisions stood at about Rs 1300 crore (includes fixed assets, loans and advances, and liquid investments). Besides, the promoters also intend to dilute their stake by bringing in an external investor in pharma business.
 
Micro Labs also plans to borrow additional debt in fiscal 2019, prior to demerger, which would result in increased leverage in the near term. However, the debt levels are expected to moderate over the next two years backed by strong cash accrual generation, absence of any large debt-funded capital expenditure (capex)/ acquisitions and management's intent to repay large portion of additional borrowings by the end of fiscal 2020. Adjusted debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization), is expected to moderate to about 2.2 times in fiscal 2019 before improving to below 1.5 times in fiscal 2020 (1.0 time in fiscal 2018). Gearing, too, is expected to reduce from a peak of about 1 time post demerger to below 0.6 time by the end of fiscal 2020 (0.2 time as on March 31, 2018). Further, the credit profile is expected to benefit from no further exposure to unrelated investments, including real estate post demerger. However, timely completion of the demerger and the quantum of additional borrowings in Micro Labs will be the key monitorables.
 
The ratings continue to reflect Micro Labs' established position in the domestic formulations market supported by diversified product portfolio, and its 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 subsidiary RA Chem because of their significant operational and financial linkages. These entities are together referred to as Micro Labs.
* Goodwill on the acquisition of RA Chem has been amortised over five years from the date of acquisition.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established 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 (September 2018) 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 an established market position in therapies such as anti-diabetes, pain management, ophthalmology, and central nervous system and will focus on other chronic and sub-chronic therapies to drive growth going forward.
 
* Diversified revenue across therapeutic segments and geographies: The domestic market accounted for about 59% of Micro Labs' revenue in fiscal 2018. The company is present in all therapeutic segments, except for oncology and respiratory. The chronic care segment accounts for around 60% of domestic revenue, and anti-bacterials, diabetes, and anti-hypertensives for 40%. The share of exports, which stood at 41% in fiscal 2018, is expected to gradually increase going forward 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 API manufacturing and clinical research, has also enhanced revenue diversity since fiscal 2017.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile not expected to be materially impacted by restructuring: Micro Labs' financial risk profile is healthy, driven by a strong networth, and comfortable gearing and debt protection metrics. Networth, which is estimated to remain healthy at about Rs 3500 crore as on March 31, 2019, is expected to halve post demerger. Nevertheless, steady growth in accrual will ensure gradual increase in networth. Debt to EBITDA and gearing are expected to moderate post demerger, before recovering by the end of fiscal 2020 and 2021 respectively. Similarly, net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios which stood at 0.95 time and 20.5 times, respectively, in fiscal 2018, will see moderation over next two years. The subsequent recovery from fiscal 2021 will be driven by healthy cash generation and absence of any significant debt-funded capex. Further, healthy cash accruals and moderate bank limit utilization will keep the liquidity adequate. While the moderation in key credit metrics is not expected to be material, the subsequent recovery, driven by timely payoff of additional debt, is a key monitorable going forward.
 
Weakness
* Susceptibility to intense competition and regulatory changes in domestic and international markets: Despite being an established player in the acute segment (40% revenue in fiscal 2018), 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. While about 15% Micro Labs' products fall under drug price control order (DPCO)'s ambit, a diversified product profile (the top five brands accounted for less than 20% of the revenue in fiscal 2018), which includes products priced below the ceiling, has improved revenue generation, and should continue to help partially offset the impact of the DPCO over the medium term. Furthermore, in fiscal 2017, a ban on fixed-dose combinations (FDC) impacted market growth. Although there was a stay on the order, chemists reduced their stocking of FDC drugs because of a drop in demand. In September 2018, the ban was upheld again. While some key brands of Micro Labs were impacted because of the ban, variants have been introduced and the overall impact on revenue is expected to be less than 5%.
 
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. While 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 is still unresolved.
 
* Working capital intensive operations: Operations have high working capital intensity as reflected in high gross current assets of around 230 days as on March 31, 2018. This is on account of 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, operations are expected to remain working capital intensive 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 (SRA) in Mumbai. Direct exposure includes loans to a few developers. As on March 31, 2018, the total direct investments in the real estate sector is estimated at Rs 650 crore. While the company's on-going plan to demerge the real estate and investment and financing divisions by the end of fiscal 2019 should eliminate this risk going forward, any delay in the demerger and/ or 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.
Outlook: Positive

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 should remain healthy, with adequate networth, low gearing, and no major debt-funded capex plan; demerger of unrelated businesses is not expected to have a material impact.
 
Upside scenario
* Steady increase in revenue growth driven, most likely, by high exports
* Sustained improvement in operating profitability to over 18%, led by improved revenue profile and continued benefits of backward integration (RA Chem)
* Recovery in key credit metrics as expected, primarily related to leverage, driven by timely demerger and timely repayment of additional borrowings
 
Downside scenario
* Material decline in revenue growth and/or operating profitability falling below 15% due to regulatory issues, or increased competition
* Substantial weakening in capital structure on account of higher-than-anticipated borrowings towards demerger of unrelated businesses
* Weakening of financial profile because of significant increase in working capital requirements and/or large, debt-funded capex or acquisitions

About the Company

Micro Labs was set up in 1973 by the late Mr. G C Surana, and is now managed by his sons, 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. These products are manufactured out of its 13 production plants in India.

RA Chem, based in Hyderabad, is a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company with 3 manufacturing facilities- at Jaggiahpet in Andhra Pradesh, and at Nacharam and Balanagar in Telangana. It manufactures APIs, formulations and also undertakes clinical research. Micro Labs acquired 73% stake in RA Chem in fiscal 2017 for Rs 332 crore and increased it to 76% in fiscal 2018. It plans to buy the remaining stake in the near-to-medium term.

Key Financial Indicators*
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 3229 2890
Adjusted Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 443 387
Adjusted PAT margin % 13.4 13.1
Adjusted debt/adjusted net worth Times 0.19 0.26
Adjusted interest coverage Times 20.51 15.98
*Figures with RA Chem consolidated

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-/Positive
NA Packing credit NA NA NA 220.00 CRISIL A1+
*Fully interchangeable with packing 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  430.00  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ CRISIL A1+      11-07-17  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ CRISIL A1+  27-04-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  09-03-15  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ 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-/Positive 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

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