Rating Rationale
February 28, 2018 | Mumbai
NIF Private Limited
Ratings upgraded to 'CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+' ; CP Withdrawn
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.200 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A-/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2+ (Upgraded from 'CRISIL A2')
 
Rs.25 Crore Commercial Paper  CRISIL A1+(SO) (Withdrawal)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of NIF Pvt Ltd (NIFPL) to 'CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+' from 'CRISIL   BBB+/Stable/CRISIL A2'. The rating on commercial paper programme has been withdrawn, in line with CRISIL's policy, after receipt of withdrawal request from the company and redemption certificate.

The upgrade reflects CRISIL's expectation of sustained improvement in NIFPL's operating performance over the medium term. The increasing penetration of milk products (under Namaste India brand) in National Capital Region (NCR) and western Uttar Pradesh is aiding the healthy ramp-up of new capacities added during last 3 years. Improving utilisation of the new capacities, focus on value added products will help to achieve annual revenue growth of 15% and operating profitability of 7% over the medium term leading to gradual improvement in its financial profile
 
The rating upgrade also reflects continued strong financial support from parent Leayan Global Pvt Ltd (LGPL) and its promoters. NIFPL benefits from strong support from parent and strong financial flexibility of the RSPL group. Promoters have extended support by infusing equity and also low cost loans aggregating Rs 230 crore largely during expansion phase of dairy business. Hence, despite losses in dairy business over last two years, NIFPL's dependence on external debt remained low (estimated at Rs 230 crore as on March 31, 2018). Moreover, strong support from the promoter group is expected to continue in the future.

The ratings reflect NIFPL's improving market position driven by increasing scale of operations and product diversity. The ratings also factors the company's adequate financial risk profile because of efficient working capital management, funding support by way of unsecured loans from promoters, and equity infusion by LGPL and RSPL group. The parent has also extended a corporate guarantee for all the loans of NIFPL. These strengths are partially offset by NIFPL's modest operating profitability, and its susceptibility to changes in government regulations and to epidemics that affect the dairy industry.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has factored in parent notch up due to strong support from Leayan Global Private Limited (LGPL) in line with CRISIL criteria. LGPL has extended funding support to NIFPL in the form of unsecured loans and equity, and a corporate guarantee for all external loans availed by NIFPL. 

Unsecured loans from promoters and RSPL group has been treated as 75% equity and 25% debt.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Improving market position driven by increasing scale of operations and product diversity
NIFPL operates its dairy business under the Namaste India brand, and predominantly operates in the Kanpur and NCR region. Nevertheless, the brand is growing rapidly and is diversifying to other parts of Uttar Pradesh as well and recently in NCR region. This has reflected in strong revenue compounded annual growth rate (estimated) of 32% for five years ended fiscal 2018. Furthermore, expected increase in capacity utilization of new capacities and focus on value added products will lead to improvement in operating profitability above 5%.  NIFPL's revenue growth in the medium term will be driven by higher capacity utilization, expansion of distribution in newer geographies like NCR and launch of new products.
 
* Adequate financial risk profile because of efficient working capital management, funding support by way of unsecured loans and equity from LGPL and RSPL group: NIFPL has been deriving strong funding support from its promoters and parent during exigencies. The company's promoters have infused equity of Rs. 32 crore in fiscal 2017 and has been regular infusing funds in NIFPL to meet capex funding requirements, working capital support and for repayment of term debt obligations. LGPL has also extended corporate guarantees to all the bank facilities of NIFPL. The company's efficient working capital management is also reflected in the moderate utilisation of its bank lines. CRISIL believes that NIFPL will continue to receive strong funding support from its promoters and parent.

The NIFPL's financial risk profile is supported by healthy networth estimated at Rs 170 crore as on March 31, 2018. Addition of external debt for funding capex during fiscal 2018 is expected to result in gearing to peak at 1.3 times as on March 31, 2018. With an expected increase in operating margin, scaling up of cash accrual and low capex intensity are expected to result in gradual improvement in NIFPL's financial profile.
 
Weakness
* Susceptibility to adverse regulatory changes and epidemic-related risks: The price of milk is sensitive to adverse changes in government policies and environmental conditions. CRISIL believes that NIFPL's revenue and profit will remain susceptible to any change in government policies and regulations and to volatility in prices of raw material.

* Modest operating profitability Driven by its product mix, continued large investment for capacity addition and expected increase in advertising spend will result in modest operating profitability in 5-6% over next 2 years.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that NIFPL's business risk profile will continue to benefit from its established brands, improving geographic reach and expectation of continued support from its promoters.

Upward scenario
The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case of
* More-than-expected increase in scale of operations and operating profitability, leading to improvement in its financial risk profile.
 
Downside scenario
The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if
* The company's financial risk profile deteriorates, most likely because of a decline in its scale of operations, large debt-funded capital expenditure, significant increase in its working capital, or
* Change in stance of LGPL for a support to NIFPL.

About the Company
LGPL (part of the RSPL group), incorporated in fiscal 2010, manufactures and markets leather footwear under the Red Chief brand. The RSPL group started its leather and footwear business in 1995 and launched Red Chief brand in 1997. In fiscal 2011, the leather and footwear business was hived off into a separate entity LGPL.

NIFPL (wholly owned subsidiary of LGPL), incorporated in 2007, manufactures various dairy products, such as pouched milk, buttermilk, skimmed milk powder, pure ghee, dairy whitener, butter, and instant food products under its Namaste India brand, mainly in Uttar Pradesh.

Both companies are promoted by the Kanpur-based Gyanchandani family, which also owns RSPL Ltd (RSPL; maker of Ghari detergents; rated 'CRISIL AA-/Positive/CRISIL A1+'). RSPL hived off its leather footwear business to LGPL.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs. Cr. 819 630
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs. Cr. -8 3
PAT Margin % -1.0 0.4
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 1.02 1.01
Interest coverage Times 1.92 4.03
 

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 Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 25.00 Withdrawal
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 46.0 CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 5.0 CRISIL A2+
NA Proposed short term bank loan facilities NA NA NA 35.00 CRISIL A2+
NA Proposed Term Loan NA NA NA 8.0 CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA 31-Dec-21 15.0 CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-20 24.0 CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-22 25.0 CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-20 32.0 CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Standby Letter of Credit NA NA NA 10.0 CRISIL A-/Stable
 
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  25  Withdrawal    No Rating Change  27-02-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)  26-12-16  Provisional CRISIL A1+(SO)    --  -- 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  185  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  19-10-16  CRISIL BBB+/Stable/ CRISIL A2  03-06-15  CRISIL BBB/Stable  CRISIL BBB-/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  15  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  19-10-16  CRISIL BBB+/Stable/ CRISIL A2    --  -- 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee 5 CRISIL A2+ Bank Guarantee 5 CRISIL A2
Cash Credit 46 CRISIL A-/Stable Cash Credit 46 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 35 CRISIL A2+ Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 35 CRISIL A2
Proposed Term Loan 8 CRISIL A-/Stable Standby Letter of Credit 10 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Standby Letter of Credit 10 CRISIL A-/Stable Term Loan 104 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Term Loan 96 CRISIL A-/Stable -- 0 --
Total 200 -- Total 200 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Criteria for rating instruments backed by guarantees
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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