Rating Rationale
November 19, 2019 | Mumbai
Neel Industries Private Limited
Ratings reaffirmed, removed from 'Watch Developing'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.20 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A-/Negative (Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' ; Rating Reaffirmed) 
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2+ (Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' ; Rating Reaffirmed) 
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its ratings on the bank facilities of Neel Industries Private Limited (NIPL; a part of the JBM group) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' while reaffirming the ratings at 'CRISIL A-/CRISIL A2+' and assigned a 'Negative' outlook to the long-term rating.
 
The ratings were placed on watch on March 6, 2019, following the announcement on February 25, 2019 by the JBM group, regarding acquisition of 50% stake in Linde-Wiemann GmBH (LW), through a wholly-owned special-purpose vehicle (SPV) of key group company, Neel Metal Products Ltd (NMPL). The resolution of the watch is owing to clarity received on impact of the acquisition on the credit profile on the JBM group, especially on NMPL's consolidated financial risk profile. The transaction is complete and funded through 80% debt raised in the SPV and 20% internal accrual of NMPL.
 
This acquisition will offer access to the latest technology in high-end assembly and aluminum stampings for passenger vehicles outside India, and help the group expand its reach globally, acquire new customers, and enhance its presence in the Body in white (include sheet metal components) and aluminum stampings segments.
 
The outlook reflects the moderation in the financial risk profile of the JBM group due to large debt-funded acquisition coinciding with moderation in operating performance in domestic businesses. The debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) ratio of NMPL consolidated is expected to rise significantly owing to the acquisition reaching at 4.8 times in fiscal 2019 compared to 2.6 times in fiscal 2018. The operating performance of another key operating company, Jay Bharat Maruti Ltd (JBML; a joint venture [JV] with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd [MSIL; rated 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+']), moderated in the first half of fiscal 2020 due to industry slowdown. JBML also plans to further undertake debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 180 crore.
 
Thus, debt protection metrics are expected to moderate post acquisition. For instance, the debt/EBITDA of the group is expected to increase to 3.2 times in fiscal 2020 from 1.9 times last fiscal. Improvement in debt/EBITDA due to sustenance of improved performance of acquired entity L+W and domestic business will remain a key monitorable.
 
NIPL's standalone performance is expected to remain moderate in fiscal 2020 due to weak demand. Revenue grew by 34% in fiscal 2019 while operating margin dropped to about 2% in fiscal 2019 from 3.3% in fiscal 2018. Revenue is projected at Rs 140 crore in fiscal 2020, with the operating margin to improve marginally to 3%. The financial risk profile remains comfortable owing to no long-term debt, adequate cash accrual, and low dependence on working capital borrowing.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the strong business and financial support NIPL receives from the group, established customer relationships and adequate financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by small scale of operations and volatile profitability.

Analytical Approach

The ratings of NIPL factor in expected support from the promoter, the JBM group (size of around Rs 13,000 crore in fiscal 2020). CRISIL believes NIPL will, in case of exigencies, receive support from the group for timely repayment of debt. Besides, the JBM group has 100% shareholding in NIPL, though it forms less than 2% of the overall networth. NIPL also receives operational and managerial support from the parent.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Strong business and financial support from promoter and JBM group
NIPL has maintained a longstanding association with key customers, including Neel Auto Pvt Ltd (which has been merged with NMPL), which accounts for half of the revenue. Hence, it would continue to benefit from NAPL's diversified clientele and healthy scale of operations, strong operational and funding support from the JBM group. Combined turnover of about Rs 13,000 crore reflects the strong market presence and bargaining power of the group. NIPL is also becoming more integrated with the group, and could be merged with one of the entities in future.
 
The two decade-long presence of the JBM group in the auto component manufacturing industry, the strong product portfolio and established clientele will continue to support the business risk profile. JBML manufactures large and medium sheet-metal components, chassis, suspension parts, assemblies, and sub-assemblies for MSIL. NMPL also has an established presence in sheet metal components and steel components, and also supplies steel components (steel blanks and tubes) to JBM Auto Ltd (JAL) and JBML as an input to sheet metal components.
 
* Established customer relationships
Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 19% over fiscals 2016 to 2019, aided by the healthy customer profile and offtake, and is likely to reach Rs 130-150 crore during the medium term. The company has longstanding relationships with customers such as Tractors and Farm Equipment (rated 'CRISIL A1+') and Ashok Leyland Ltd. The company will also benefit from the increasing operational integration with the JBM group. Group entities contributed to around 50% of revenue in fiscal 2019. The top five customers accounted for 78% in fiscal 2019. Catering to group companies, JBM Auto Systems Pvt Ltd (rated 'CRISIL A-/Positive/CRISIL A2+') and Neel Auto Pvt Ltd, helps mitigate offtake risk.
 
* Adequate financial risk profile
Financial risk profile should remain supported by healthy cash accrual, low debt levels and the timely, need-based funds extended by the promoters. Gearing was low at 0.28 time as on March 31, 2019; however, small networth of Rs 20 crore as on March 31, 2019, restricts financial flexibility.
Debt protection metrics were moderate, with net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios of 0.29 time and 2.97 times, respectively, in fiscal 2019. Gearing is expected to remain below 0.2 time over the medium term, with net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios of 0.8 time and above 5 times, respectively.
 
Weaknesses:
* Small scale of operations
Scale has been modest, with revenue of around Rs 144 crore for fiscal 2019, and small networth of around Rs 20 crore as on March 31, 2019.Small networth limits the financial flexibility. Despite 15 years of operating history, intense competition may continue to constrain scalability, pricing power and profitability.
 
* Volatility in operating margin
Profitability has been unstable over the past decade, with operating margin fluctuating from 7.9% in 2013 to 0.7% in 2017. More than 50% revenue of the company is derived from the JBM group, which limits the flexibility to pass on increase in the raw material prices. The operating performance also remains susceptible to tooling orders and cyclicality in auto demand as well as volatility in capacity utilisation.
Liquidity Adequate

Liquidity should remain sufficient, driven by expected cash accrual of over Rs 3-4 crore per annum in fiscals 2020 and 2021, against nil debt obligation. Bank limit utilisation averaged 65% for the 12 months through September 2019. The promoters are also expected to continue extending timely, need-based funds to aid the business.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes the JBM group's financial risk profile to weaken with increased debt due to acquisition of LW, ongoing large capex, JBML and moderating profitability as a result of slowdown in the auto industry. However, NIPL is expected to benefit, over the medium term, from an established relationship with customers and financial flexibility as it is part of the JBM group.
 
Rating sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Substantial increase in revenue while improving operating margin to 5-6%
* Sustenance of healthy financial risk profile
* Upward change in the credit risk profile of the JBM group
 
Downward factors
* Moderation in the operating margin to below 2% or large, debt-funded capex, resulting in interest coverage ratio of less than 2.0 times
* Change in stance of the group for providing support to NIPL
* Change in business linkages with group companies

About the Company

NIPL, incorporated in January 2000, manufactures sheet-metal components for automotive original equipment manufacturers. NIPL is a part of the JBM group of companies, owned and promoted by Mr S K Arya and his associate companies. The company's manufacturing units are in Chennai, located close to the units of company's major customers.
 
The key operating companies of the JBM group consists of NMPL (contributing about 55% to the total group revenue in fiscal 2019), JAL (contributing about 20% to the total group revenue) and JBML (contributing about 20% to the total group revenue). The group has been manufacturing sheet-metal components for the automotive industry since 1987. It has been promoted by Mr S K Arya, who has experience of nearly three decades. He has formed a JV, JBML, with MSIL for manufacturing automotive components.
 
For the first six months in fiscal 2020, on provisional basis, NIPL reported EBITDA of R 1.47 crore on operating income of Rs 59 crore.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 144 108
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 0.83 1.04
PAT margin % 0.57 0.96
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.28 0.2
Interest cover Times 2.97 6.2

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 6.0 CRISIL A-/Negative
NA Letter of Credit* NA NA NA 10.0 CRISIL A2+
NA Proposed Long-Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 4.0 CRISIL A-/Negative
^^Interchangeable with working capital demand loan; changeable one-way with letter of credit and bank guarantee (BG)
*Interchangeable with BG up to Rs.1 crore
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  10.00  CRISIL A-/Negative  30-08-19  CRISIL A-/Watch Developing  11-12-18  CRISIL A-/Stable  12-10-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  29-06-16  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  CRISIL BBB+/Stable 
        06-06-19  CRISIL A-/Watch Developing  14-09-18  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Developing  13-09-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable       
        06-03-19  CRISIL A-/Watch Developing  12-06-18  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Developing           
            20-03-18  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Developing           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  10.00  CRISIL A2+  30-08-19  CRISIL A2+/Watch Developing  11-12-18  CRISIL A2+  12-10-17  CRISIL A2  29-06-16  CRISIL A2  CRISIL A2 
        06-06-19  CRISIL A2+/Watch Developing  14-09-18  CRISIL A2/Watch Developing  13-09-17  CRISIL A2       
        06-03-19  CRISIL A2+/Watch Developing  12-06-18  CRISIL A2/Watch Developing           
            20-03-18  CRISIL A2/Watch Developing           
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^^ 6 CRISIL A-/Negative Cash Credit^^ 6 CRISIL A-/Watch Developing
Letter of Credit* 10 CRISIL A2+ Letter of Credit* 10 CRISIL A2+/Watch Developing
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4 CRISIL A-/Negative Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 4 CRISIL A-/Watch Developing
Total 20 -- Total 20 --
^^Interchangeable with working capital demand loan; changeable one-way with letter of credit and bank guarantee (BG)
*Interchangeable with BG up to Rs.1 crore
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 rating short term debt

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