Rating Rationale
April 21, 2020 | Mumbai
Mutual Automotive Private Limited
Long-term rating downgraded to 'CRISIL A/Negative'; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.75 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A/Negative (Downgraded 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 downgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Mutual Automotive Private Limited (MAPL) to 'CRISIL A/Negative' from 'CRISIL A+/Stable' and reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A1' rating on the short-term facility.
 
The downgrade reflects deterioration in the company's operating performance and financial risk profile with additional debt taken for family settlement in fiscal 2020. Revenue declined by 26% in fiscal 2020 as compared to 2019 mainly due to slowdown in the automotive (auto) industry, while operating margin declined marginally to 18% from 19.5% in the previous fiscal. Furthermore, the company's financial risk profile has moderated in fiscal 2020, with debt of Rs. 100 crores taken for family settlement post demerger and Rs 10 crores for capital expenditure (capex) for Kinder Joy plant. The additional debt is long term debt for 5 years, with repayment starting from September 2020. As a part of family settlement, the company is expected to receive payment of Rs. 63 crores Mutual Industries Ltd (MIL; 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable') over the medium term; of which Rs. 23 crores came in fiscal 2020 and was used for debt prepayment of Rs 20 crores.
 
CRISIL believes that the company's operating performance will remain under pressure in fiscal 2021 given the uncertainty in demand revival in the auto sector following the Novel Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak. While MAPL's plant shutdown is expected to be temporary, revocation of measures will be contingent upon directive from the Central Government and extent of spread of Covid-19. A sustained plant closure could result in significant deterioration in credit quality of MAPL.
 
Consequently, net cash accrual of Rs 16 crore will be tightly matched as compared to debt repayment obligations of Rs 14 crore over the medium term. However, payments from MIL of Rs 13 crores per annum is expected to provide support in the interim as MIL has adequate liquidity of around Rs 75 crore as on 31st March, 2020.
 
The ratings reflect the extensive experience of the promoters in the auto business, a strong relationship with key clients, and moderate financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to customer concentration risk, and susceptibility to cyclicality in demand and to variations in raw material prices.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Extensive industry experience of the promoters and strong relationship with key clients
Benefits from the promoters' experience of over four decades, their strong understanding of local market dynamics, and healthy relationship with customers and suppliers should continue to support the business. The clientele comprises prominent auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier-I auto component companies in India such as Tata Motors Ltd (TML; 'CRISIL AA-/Negative/CRISIL A1+'), Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (VW), Ashok Leyland Ltd, and Mahle Behr India Ltd. The company caters to different segments of the auto industry, including light commercial vehicles, sports utility vehicles, passenger cars, two wheelers and recently components with aqua-graphic technology.
 
* Moderate financial risk profile
Financial risk profile has moderated in fiscal 2020, with debt of Rs. 100 crores taken for family settlement post demerger and Rs 10 crores for capital expenditure (capex) for Kinder Joy plant. The additional debt is long term debt for 5 years, with repayment starting from September 2020. Consequently, the adjusted gearing is estimated at 0.75 time  as on March 31, 2020 as compared to about 0.25-0.3 times historically. The adjusted interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios are estimated at 6.60 times and 0.25 time, respectively, for fiscal 2020. As a part of family settlement, the company is expected to receive payment of Rs. 63 crores from Mutual Industries Ltd (MIL; 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable') over the medium term; of which Rs. 23 crores came in fiscal 2020 and was used for debt prepayment of Rs 20 crores. 
 
Weaknesses
* Exposure to customer concentration risk
The company manufactures plastic-moulded auto components and supplies to the passenger and commercial vehicle segments. It derives 60-70% of revenue from TML and VW. Any decline in revenue from these customers will considerably weaken the business risk profile. However, the company has already diversified into non-auto businesses such home electricals, switch designing, and toy manufacturing with revenues expected over medium term from this segment. Further, this will help partially offset cyclicality in demand over medium term and will remain a key monitorable.
 
* Susceptibility to cyclicality in demand and to variations in raw material prices
The extensive dependence on the auto industry exposes the operating performance to intense competition and cyclicality. The Indian auto component industry comprises numerous players, which cater to varied requirements of large OEMs, and Tier I and Tier II suppliers besides the replacement market. However, MAPL, being a single-source supplier to some customers, is able to withstand this competition to some extent. Profitability is likely to remain exposed to fluctuation in demand from customers and prices of key raw materials such as poly propylene and other petrochemical derivatives.
Liquidity Adequate

Average bank limit utilisation was around 50% during the 12 months through March 2020. The unutilised bank lines coupled with a modest cash and bank balance of Rs 6.5 crore as on March 31, 2020, will be sufficient to meet fixed-cost obligation, and debt obligations for next three months in case of prolonged slowdown. Consequently, net cash accrual of Rs 16 crores will be tightly matched as compared to debt repayment obligations of Rs 14 crore in fiscal 2021. However, payments from MIL of Rs 13 crores per annum is expected to provide support in the interim as MIL has adequate liquidity of around Rs 75 crore as on 31st March, 2020.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes the company's operating performance may deteriorate in fiscal 2021 in case of a prolonged lockdown and uncertainty in demand revival in the auto sector following the Novel Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.
 
Rating Sensitivity Factor
Upward factor
*Improvement in financial risk profile with Debt/EBITDA to below 1x
*Sustained revenue growth while maintaining operating profitability
 
Downward factor
*Weakening of financial risk profile with Debt/EBITDA above 3.5x
*Deterioration in operating performance and margins.

About the Company

As a part of the demerger process of MIL, the auto business was transferred to MAPL (incorporated in 2012 at Mumbai). In June 2017, MIL's board had approved this scheme of arrangement to demerge the auto-components and moulds (engineering and tooling) businesses into separate companies while retaining the industrial components business (non-auto) with itself. The intent for the demerger was to expand each of the segments to its full potential given the growth opportunities across segments and also allow for partnership opportunities to expand the businesses as and where available. MIL received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal and the scheme was effective from April 1, 2017.
 
MAPL manufactures plastic auto components for passenger and commercial vehicles. It also undertakes custom moulding of engineering plastics in India. The product portfolio comprises a variety of moulds and plastic components, such as dashboards, bumpers, consoles, interior trims, side trims and under-bonnet components, used in automobiles.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs.Crore 274 280
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 34 45
PAT Margin % 12.6 15.9
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.01 0.15
Interest coverage Times 38.09 29.05

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 10.00 CRISIL A/Negative
NA Cash Credit* NA NA NA 28.00 CRISIL A/Negative
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 15.00 CRISIL A1
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 22.00 CRISIL A/Negative
*Fully fungible
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  60.00  CRISIL A/Negative      22-03-19  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1    --    --  -- 
            11-03-19  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  15.00  CRISIL A1      22-03-19  CRISIL A1    --    --  -- 
            11-03-19  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
Bank Guarantee 15 CRISIL A1 Bank Guarantee 15 CRISIL A1
Cash Credit* 28 CRISIL A/Negative Cash Credit 23 CRISIL A+/Stable
Cash Credit 10 CRISIL A/Negative Letter of Credit 7 CRISIL A1
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 22 CRISIL A/Negative Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 15 CRISIL A+/Stable
-- 0 -- Sales Bill Discounting 15 CRISIL A1
Total 75 -- Total 75 --
*Fully fungible
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
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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