Rating Rationale
June 22, 2018 | Mumbai
Minda Corporation Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL A+/Stable' ; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.210 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL A/Stable')
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 Minda Corporation Limited (MCL; part of the MCL group) to 'CRISIL A+/Stable' from 'CRISIL A/Stable', and has reaffirmed its rating on the short-term facilities at 'CRISIL A1'.

The upgrade reflects substantial improvement in the financial risk profile following the qualified institutional placement (QIP) of Rs 310 crore in May 2018. The funds so raised will be primarily used for acquisitions followed by meeting working capital requirement, thus reducing dependence on external debt. This is expected to result in significant improvement in the capital structure and debt protection metrics. The rating revision also factors in sustenance of a robust business risk profile.

The group has report an operating income of Rs 2593.4 crore in fiscal 2018, against Rs 2059.8 crore in fiscal 2017 because of steady growth across product segments. The share of business from existing clients increased while new customers and products were added. Operations at the Mexico plant and the die-casting plant at Pune, Maharashtra, have also been well scaled up. The operating profitability margin improved to 10.5% in fiscal 2018 from 9.2% in fiscal 2017 on account of a better product mix, and savings in employee and other costs. The financial risk profile remains comfortable, as indicated by a gearing of less than 1 time as on March 31, 2018. The QIP has resulted in significant improvement in the capital structure and debt protection metrics.

The ratings continue to reflect an established market position in the automotive (auto) components industry, a diversified product portfolio, and a reputed clientele. The group maintains its leadership position in India's auto security systems and wire-harness components market, with customers including leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in two-, three-, and four-wheeler segments. The ratings also factor in a healthy financial risk profile because of a strong networth and comfortable gearing and debt protection metrics. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatility in operating profitability, and to slowdown in demand in the auto sector.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of MCL and its subsidiaries and step-down subsidiaries: Minda SAI Ltd (rated 'CRISIL A/Stable/CRISIL A1'), Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd, Almighty International PTE (Singapore), PT Minda Automotive Indonesia, Minda Vietnam Automotive Company Limited, Minda Management Services Ltd, Minda Automotive Solutions Ltd, Minda KTSN Plastic Solutions GmbH & Co KG (Germany), Minda Furukawa Electric Pvt Ltd ('CRISIL BBB+/Stable'), and Minda Autoelektrik Ltd (formerly, Panalfa Autoelektrik Ltd); and one joint venture, Minda VAST Access System Pvt Ltd ('CRISIL A-/Stable'). That's because all these entities, collectively referred to as the MCL group, have significant business and financial linkages.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position in the auto component sector: This is backed by a diversified product profile and an established relationship with customers. The products cater to the two-wheeler, three-wheeler, commercial vehicle, four-wheeler, and replacement market segments, resulting in expansion of the 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 gearing was low, the networth healthy, and the debt protection metrics above-average. The gearing was 0.9 time as on March 31, 2018, and is expected to remain below 1.0 time over the medium term. The interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios were 7.4 times and 0.33 time, respectively, in fiscal 2018. The QIP has resulted in significant improvement in the capital structure and debt protection metrics.

Weaknesses
* Exposure to risks related to demand from the auto industry: Growth in business is contingent on sustained ramp-up in the auto segment. In the domestic market, the biggest customers are Maruti Suzuki India Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Bajaj Auto Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd which account for a significant proportion of overall revenue. The domestic auto industry, particularly the passenger car and commercial vehicle segments, is cyclical and has witnessed a slowdown in some years. However, diversified segmental presence protects the group from a significant decline in any one segment.

* Vulnerability to volatile raw material prices: On a standalone level, the operating margin has fluctuated in the 10-12% range, and on the group level, in the 7-11% range, in the four fiscals through 2018. The margin remains exposed to volatility in raw material prices. Frequent changes in input prices make it difficult for auto component manufacturers to pass on any rise in rates to OEMs.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the MCL group will maintain its credit risk profile over the medium term on the back of an established position in the auto components industry, a healthy relationship with OEMs, and a comfortable financial risk profile. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if improvement in operating profitability or fund infusion further strengthens the financial risk profile. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if pressure on profitability and revenue, or any large, debt-funded capital expenditure or acquisition considerably weakens the financial risk profile. 

About the Group

Incorporated in 1985 as Minda Switch Auto Ltd, MCL is the flagship company of the Spark Minda-Ashok Minda group and is based in Gurugram, Haryana. The MCL group (comprising MCL, its subsidiaries, step-down subsidiaries, and one joint venture) 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, and sensors in the domestic market; and plastic interior systems in the global market.

MCL is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange. 

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 2593.4 2059.8
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 141.7 102.1
PAT Margin % 5.5 5.0
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.87 0.75
Interest coverage Times 7.4 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 Cr)
Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 77.9 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA External Commercial Borrowings NA NA Apr-2022 26.09 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 9.5 CRISIL A1
NA Standby Line of Credit NA NA NA 60.61 CRISIL A1
NA Term Loan NA NA Apr-2022 35.9 CRISIL A+/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  200.50  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1  05-04-18  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1      13-12-16  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1  31-10-15  CRISIL A/Watch Developing/ CRISIL A1/Watch Developing  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+ 
                    21-07-15  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  9.50  CRISIL A1  05-04-18  CRISIL A1      13-12-16  CRISIL A1  31-10-15  CRISIL A1/Watch Developing  CRISIL A2+ 
                    21-07-15  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 77.9 CRISIL A+/Stable Cash Credit 77.9 CRISIL A/Stable
External Commercial Borrowings 26.09 CRISIL A+/Stable External Commercial Borrowings 26.09 CRISIL A/Stable
Letter of Credit 9.5 CRISIL A1 Letter of Credit 9.5 CRISIL A1
Standby Line of Credit 60.61 CRISIL A1 Standby Line of Credit 60.61 CRISIL A1
Term Loan 35.9 CRISIL A+/Stable Term Loan 35.9 CRISIL A/Stable
Total 210 -- Total 210 --
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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