Rating Rationale
June 18, 2020 | Mumbai
Minda Corporation Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.500 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable (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 'CRISIL A+/Stable/CRISIL A1' ratings on the bank facilities of Minda Corporation Limited (MCL; part of the MCL group).
 
The company had informed stock exchanges on June 9, 2020, about the filing for insolvency by its wholly owned subsidiary Minda KTSN Plastic Solutions GmbH Co. KG, Germany (Minda KTSN).
 
MCL's management has informed CRISIL that there was no default in any of the bank facilities of Minda KTSN and its three subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the KTSN group) before filing for insolvency. The KTSN group had debt of approximately Rs 190 crore, of which MCL had guaranteed debt of approximately Rs 85 crore. MCL had paid out the guaranteed portion of debt by June 12, 2020.
 
Post this payment, MCL is estimated to have over Rs 350 crore of unencumbered cash balance. Moderate utilisation of bank limit, at 55% on average over the seven months ended March 31, 2020, also supports liquidity. Additionally, the MCL group is likely to generate healthy cash accrual over the medium term against moderate debt obligation of Rs 59 crore and Rs 42 crore in fiscals 2021 and 2022, respectively.
 
The MCL group's networth is estimated to have reduced by Rs 295 crore as on March 31, 2020, because of the transactions pertaining to the insolvency. Nonetheless, the capital structure remains comfortable with gearing estimated at 0.3 time as on March 31, 2020. With no large debt-funded capital expenditure planned, the gearing is expected to remain below 0.5 time over the medium term. Higher-than-expected gearing or any large debt-funded acquisition will be key monitorables over the medium term.
 
The MCL group's business will be impacted by the exclusion of the KTSN group and the Covid-19 pandemic. The KTSN group contributed Rs 500-600 crore annually (around 20%) to the revenue of the MCL group, but continued to be loss making in the two fiscals ended March 31, 2020. The KTSN group's revenue loss is expected to be partially offset by increase in prices in the wire harnessing business in the BS-VI era, which will support the business risk profile of the MCL group over the medium term.
 
For fiscal 2021, CRISIL expects business performance to remain slightly subdued because of the economic slowdown and the Covid-19 pandemic, which will lead to lower offtake from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in line with the demand decline in the end markets. But the MCL group's established market position with strong customer relationships, diversified geographical presence and operating efficiency should continue to support the business risk profile over the medium term.
 
CRISIL, for now, does not expect any material impact on the credit risk profile of the MCL group in light of the above events.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the group's established market position in India's automotive (auto) components industry, backed by a diversified product portfolio and healthy relationships with leading OEMs in two-, three-, and four-wheeler segments. The ratings also factor in its healthy financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices and to slowdown in the auto sector.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its rating, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of MCL, its subsidiaries and step-down subsidiaries - including Almighty International PTE (Singapore), PT Minda Automotive (Indonesia), Minda Vietnam Automotive Company Ltd - and joint ventures - Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd and Minda VAST Access System Pvt Ltd ('CRISIL A-/Negative/CRISIL A2+'). All the entities, collectively referred to as the MCL group, have significant business and financial linkages and are controlled by MCL.
 
The business and financial risk profiles of the KTSN group have not been combined. This is because the KTSN group filed for insolvency on June 9, 2020, and MCL's management will no longer exercise any control over it.
 
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 market position in the auto component sector: The established market position is backed by diversified product profile and healthy relationships with customers. The products cater to the two-wheeler, three-wheeler, commercial vehicle, four-wheeler, and replacement market segments, resulting in a diversified customer base. Moreover, association with global OEMs through overseas entities has resulted in revenue generation for certain components in the domestic market.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile: The financial risk profile is backed by significant improvement in the capital structure and debt protection metrics because of funds raised through a qualified institutional placement (QIP). Gearing was 0.6 time as on March 31, 2019, and is estimated at 0.3 time as on March 31, 2020 (after considering accounting treatments for the insolvency filing). Interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratio were over 7 times and 0.4 time, respectively, in fiscal 2019 and are estimated over 8 times and 0.02 time, respectively, in fiscal 2020.
 
Weaknesses:
* Susceptibility to slowdown in the auto industry: Growth in business is contingent on sustained ramp-up in the auto segment. In the domestic market, the biggest customers are Bajaj Auto Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Ashok Leyland Limited and TVS Motor Company Limited; the bulk of overall revenue is derived from these clients. The auto industry in India, particularly the passenger car and commercial vehicle segments, is cyclical and has witnessed a slowdown in some years. However, diversified segmental presence protects the MCL group from a significant decline in any one segment.
 
* Vulnerability to volatility in raw material prices: Operating margin fluctuated between 10% and 12% on a standalone level and between 7% and 11% at the consolidated level in the three fiscals through 2020. The margin remains susceptible to volatility in raw material prices. Also, frequent changes in input prices make it difficult for auto component manufacturers to pass on any rise in cost to OEMs.
Liquidity Strong

Liquidity is strong. Cash accrual is estimated over Rs 210 crores in fiscal 2020 against scheduled debt obligation of Rs 80 crore. Cash generation is expected to moderate, but remain healthy vis-a-vis debt obligation of Rs 59 crore in fiscal 2021. Utilisation of fund-based limit averaged 55% in the 12 months through May 2020.
 
MCL had a healthy cash balance of over Rs 350 crore as on June 17, 2020, including Rs 320 crore raised through a QIP in fiscal 2019. The QIP proceeds are expected to be used primarily for acquisition and then for working capital, and should continue to reduce dependence on borrowings. However, the quantum, timeline and extent of leverage for any acquisition will remain a key sensitivity factor.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the MCL group will continue to benefit from its established position in the auto components industry and healthy relationships with OEMs. The financial risk profile should remain comfortable over the medium term.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Sustained increase in revenue and profitability (by 100 basis points)
* Improvement in working capital management
 
Downward factors
* Profitability declining by 100 basis points on a sustained basis, leading to lower cash accrual
* Large debt-funded capital expenditure or acquisition, weakening the financial risk profile
About the Group

MCL, based in Gurugram, was incorporated as Minda Switch Auto Ltd in 1985 and got its current name later. It is the flagship company of the Spark Minda group.
 
The MCL group manufactures auto components for major OEMs in the two-wheeler, passenger vehicle, and commercial vehicle segments in the domestic and international markets. The group also supplies to the replacement market. Key products include locksets, door handles, wiring harnesses, instrumentation clusters, plastic interior systems and sensors in the domestic market and international market.
 
MCL is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange.

Key financial indicators (Consolidated)
As on/for the period ended March 31   2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 3094.6 2595.4
Reported profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 168.5 141.7
PAT margin % 5.4 5.5
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.63 1.18
Interest coverage Times 5.9 7.0

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 40 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA External Commercial Borrowings NA NA Jul-2023 48 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Non-Fund Based Limit NA NA NA 3 CRISIL A1
NA Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility  NA  NA  NA 41 CRISIL A1
NA Proposed Term Loan  NA  NA NA 100 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Apr-22 86 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Working Capital Facility NA NA NA 182 CRISIL A+/Stable
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of entities consolidated Extent of consolidation Rationale for consolidation
Minda Corporation Ltd Full Common management and business
Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd Full Common management and business
Almighty International PTE Full Common management and business
PT Minda Automotive Indonesia Full Common management and business
Minda Vietnam Automotive Company Ltd Full Common management and business
Minda VAST Access System Pvt Ltd Full Common management and business
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  497.00  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1      30-10-19  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1  10-10-18  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1      CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1 
                22-06-18  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1       
                05-04-18  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  3.00  CRISIL A1      30-10-19  CRISIL A1  10-10-18  CRISIL A1      CRISIL A1 
                22-06-18  CRISIL A1       
                05-04-18  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 40 CRISIL A+/Stable Cash Credit 40 CRISIL A+/Stable
External Commercial Borrowings 48 CRISIL A+/Stable External Commercial Borrowings 48 CRISIL A+/Stable
Non-Fund Based Limit 3 CRISIL A1 Non-Fund Based Limit 3 CRISIL A1
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 41 CRISIL A1 Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 41 CRISIL A1
Proposed Term Loan 100 CRISIL A+/Stable Proposed Term Loan 100 CRISIL A+/Stable
Term Loan 86 CRISIL A+/Stable Term Loan 86 CRISIL A+/Stable
Working Capital Facility 182 CRISIL A+/Stable Working Capital Facility 182 CRISIL A+/Stable
Total 500 -- Total 500 --
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 Auto Component Suppliers
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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