Rating Rationale
October 23, 2018 | Mumbai
Namdhari Seeds Private Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Negative'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.122 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A-/Negative (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long term bank facilities of Namdhari Seeds Private Limited (NSPL) to 'Negative' from 'Stable' while reaffirming the rating at 'CRISIL A-'. The ratings on NSPL's short term bank facilities has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A2+'.

The outlook revision follows NSPL's subdued operating performance marked by moderate business levels and decline in profitability over fiscals 2017 and 2018 leading to deterioration in credit metrics. The company clocked revenues of Rs 311 crore and Rs 294 crore respectively in fiscals 2018 and 2017 as against Rs 348 crore in fiscal 2016. Besides, operating margin declined to an estimated 4.2% in fiscal 2018 and 6.5% in fiscal 2017 compared to 9.9% in fiscal 2016 following adverse movement in forex rates and increasing overheads; thereby leading to weaker cash flows. Further, the working capital levels were also elevated with gross current assets (GCA) of an estimated 250 days as of March 2018 due to higher inventory requirements in the seeds business. The higher inventory holdings were partly funded through bank borrowings as well leading to moderation debt protection metrics; for instance, net cash accruals to total debt (NCATD) and interest coverage ratios moderated to an estimated 0.05 times and 2.1 times respectively in fiscal 2018 as against 0.13 times and 4.6 times in fiscal 2016.

Going forward, operating profitability is expected to remain constrained in the near term and the company is expected to generate lower than previously expected cash accruals. While price revisions with key customers will benefit margins, improvement will be only gradual. Hence, debt protection metrics will also remain moderate in the near term with NCATD and interest coverage ratios expected to be less than 0.15 times and 3 times respectively.

The ratings continue to reflect the Namdhari group's established market position and strong track record in the agricultural seeds and fruits & vegetables business, and its adequate financial risk profile, marked by comfortable gearing although debt protection metrics are moderate. These rating strengths are partially offset by the group's vulnerability to risks associated with the agriculture-based commodity business, and its exposure to its group and associate companies and to volatility in export demand and foreign exchange rates.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at NSPL's ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profile of its subsidiary Namdhari Agro Fresh Pvt Ltd (NAFPL, rated 'CRISIL BBB/Negative'). This is because NAFPL and NSPL are under a common management, in related businesses, and have financial fungibility.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Established market position and strong track record: NSPL is one of the top four sellers of tomato and watermelon seeds in India by volume, backed by extensive distribution network of over 250 agents across India. It has strong research and development (R&D) capabilities in the vegetable, fruit, and flower seeds segment and successfully developed various hybrid seeds with better yield, quality, and disease resistance over the past 20 years. Business risk profile is further strengthened by diversification into allied businesses, such as production of fruits and vegetables, and retailing of fresh farm products under NAFPL.

* Adequate financial risk profile marked by comfortable gearing; partly offset by moderate debt protection metrics: Financial risk profile is marked by healthy networth estimated at Rs 202 crore as on March 31, 2018 and gearing estimated at 0.8 time as on March 31, 2018, although debt protection metrics are moderate. Further, the sizeable exposure to associate companies (around Rs 40 crore), constrains the return on capital employed (RoCE). RoCE has been subdued at less than 10% over the past 5 fiscals and is likely to remain at similar levels over the medium term as well, since the group investments are likely to continue. Debt protection metrics will also remain moderate due to modest cash accruals of Rs 20-25 Cr per annum expected and sizeable working capital borrowings. However, the company has no major debt-funded capital expenditure plans, hence gearing should remain healthy at less than 1 time over the medium term. Any further increase in exposure to group companies and higher than expected cash outflows will remain key rating sensitivity factors.

Weaknesses
* Susceptibility to risks inherent in the agriculture sector
NSPL's business is affected by various external factors, including monsoon, soil conditions, climatic conditions, and crop diseases. Turnover and margins are exposed to adverse changes in these external factors. Although, use of innovative technologies and continuous R&D activities partially offset the impact, NSPL's business volumes and profitability will remain vulnerable to these external risk factors, which in turn constrains the business risk profile.

* Vulnerability to volatility in export demand and foreign exchange (forex) rates: Exports accounted for about 40% of NSPL's revenues in fiscal 2018. While NSPL has the flexibility to pass on a portion of substantial change in forex rates through subsequent negotiations, risk of forex rate fluctuation persists as NSPL's steps to partially offset the impact remains contingent upon the clients' willingness to accept the extent of price revision. Infact, NSPL's margins were steeply impacted in fiscal 2018 following unfavourable forex movement. Furthermore, the farm fresh division faces stiff competition from various countries across the world in the exports segment.
Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes NSPL performance will remain subdued over the near term marked by moderate revenue growth and only a gradual improvement in profitability. Besides high working capital requirements and reliance on bank debt will constrain debt protection metrics. The ratings may be downgraded in case of further pressure on margins and weaker than expected cash generation, or further deterioration in debt protection metrics due to lower accruals, large debt-funded capital expenditure, or continued stretch in working capital. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Stable' if margins improve significantly leading to marked improvement in credit metrics.

Additional support to associate entities and verdict on the tax case currently under litigation will continue to be monitorables.

About NSPL
NSPL, based in Bengaluru is promoted by Mr Uday Singh. Set up in 1985, it produces and trades in fruit, flower, field crops and vegetable seeds. In fiscal 2008, the group ventured into institutional sales and export of fruits and vegetables under Namdhari Farm Fresh Pvt Ltd (since merged with NSPL), and into retailing of food products, and fruits and vegetables under Namdhari Agro Fresh Pvt Ltd. The company has farm land in Udhagamandalam (Tamil Nadu), Punjab, and in some parts of Karnataka.

About NAFPL
NAFPL, based in Bengaluru, is promoted by Mr Uday Singh. Set up in 2005, the company primarily retails fresh fruits and vegetables and other essential groceries under the brand Namdhari Fresh. At its retail stores, it primarily sell exotic vegetables, such as red cabbage and broccoli, along with common vegetables procured from its parent, NSPL. The company currently has 22 stores in Bengaluru.

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue  Rs.Cr 294 348
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Cr 4 13
PAT Margin % 1.2 3.8
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.69 0.91
Interest Coverage Times 3.19 4.59

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 37.0 CRISIL A-/Negative
NA Packing Credit in Foreign Currency NA NA NA 43.0 CRISIL A2+
NA Term Loan NA NA Apr-2021 40.0 CRISIL A-/Negative
NA Proposed Fund Based Bank Limits NA NA NA 2.0 CRISIL A-/Negative
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  122.00  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+      04-07-17  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  24-08-16  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  26-05-15  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+ 
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 37 CRISIL A-/Negative Cash Credit 37 CRISIL A-/Stable
Packing Credit in Foreign Currency 43 CRISIL A2+ Packing Credit in Foreign Currency 43 CRISIL A2+
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 2 CRISIL A-/Negative Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 2 CRISIL A-/Stable
Term Loan 40 CRISIL A-/Negative Term Loan 40 CRISIL A-/Stable
Total 122 -- Total 122 --
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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