Rating Rationale
April 30, 2019 | Mumbai
Nova Agri Tech Private Limited
Rating upgraded to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.27 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BB-/Stable')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the bank facilities of Nova Agri Tech Private Limited (NATPL; part of Nova Group) to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable' from 'CRISIL BB-/Stable'.

The upgrade reflects expected improvement in the business risk profile. Revenue and operating margin are expected to increase to Rs 131 crore and 13.3%, respectively, in fiscal 2019 from Rs 97 crore and 7.8%, respectively, in fiscal 2017.  The upgrade also reflects improvement in Nova group's financial risk profile with equity infusion of Rs 8 crore (FY18). Gearing moderated to below 0.83 time as on March 31, 2019 from 1.50 times as on 31st March 2017 due to low reliance on external debt and continuous moderate accretion to reserve. The improvement in business and financial risk profile is also due to consolidation of NATPL with its 100% subsidiary NOASPL.

The rating continues to reflect the Nova Group's promoter's extensive experience in the manufacturing, and marketing of bio fertilizers and micro nutrients for a period of over a decade. The rating also factors the group's above-average financial risk profile because of improving net worth and above-average debt protection metrics. These rating strengths are partially offset by working capital intensive operations and exposure to risks inherent in domestic agrochemicals market, fluctuations in raw material prices, and successful acceptance of its new products.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of NATPL, Nova Agri Science (P) Limited (NASPL) and Nova Agri Seeds Pvt Ltd (NOASPL); these companies are together referred to as the Nova group. For the previous rating exercise for NATPL's bank facilities, CRISIL had assessed the business and financial risk profiles of NATPL on a standalone basis. The change in analytical approach is due to NASPL and NOASPL becoming 100% subsidiaries of NATPL .All these companies have same marketing team, have a common management, and have fungible cash flows.
 
CRISIL has treated unsecured loan of Rs.2.89 Cr extended to the group by promoters as 75% equity and 25% debt as they are non-interest bearing and they are expected to be in business for over medium term.

Please refer Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established regional presence in the bio fertilizer and pesticides industry aided by longstanding experience of the promoter and an extensive distribution network
The business risk profile of Nova is aided by the extensive experience of its promoters in the manufacturing, and marketing of bio fertilizers, micro nutrients and pesticides for a period of over a decade.
 
* Above-average financial risk profile
Nova group's financial risk profile is marked by its moderate net-worth, comfortable gearing and above-average debt protection metrics.

 Weaknesses
* Working capital intensive operations
Nova group's business is working capital intensive, as reflected in estimated gross current asset (GCAs) of 242 days as on March 31, 2019; the GCAs have been at similar levels in the past. GCA days emanates from the company's receivables cycle of around 120-140 days and inventory levels of around 120 days.
 
* Exposure to risks inherent in domestic agrochemicals market, fluctuations in raw material prices, and successful acceptance of its new products: The industry is marked by intense price and product competition from local players and multi-national companies. Acceptability of the new products is to be seen. Group's operating margin will remain susceptible to high competition from domestic players and increase in raw material prices.
Liquidity

* High bank limit utilization
Bank limit utilization is high and is fully utilized for the past twelve months ended November, 2018. CRISIL believes that bank limit utilization is expected to remain high on account of large working capital requirement.
 
* Cash accrual sufficient to meet debt obligation
Cash accrual are expected to be over Rs 11.32 crore for 2019 which are sufficient against term debt obligation of Rs 1 crore over the medium term.
 
* Moderate current ratio
Current ratio is estimated to be moderate at 1.18 times as on March 31, 2019.

* Support from promoters in form of infusion of unsecured loan or equity
The promoters are likely to extend support in the form of equity and unsecured loans to the company to meet its working capital requirements and repayment obligations.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Nova group will benefit over the medium term from the extensive experience of its promoter. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case of a substantial and sustained improvement in revenue and profitability margins, or if net worth increases due to sizeable equity infusion. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if steep decline in profitability margins, large, debt-funded capital expenditure, or further stretch in working capital cycle leads to deterioration in financial risk profile.

About the Group

NATPL
Set up in 2007, NATPL manufactures and markets biofertilizers, biopesticides, and micro and macronutrients. The Hyderabad-based company is promoted by Mr. Yeluri Sambasiva Rao who is currently Member of Legislative Assemble (MLA) from Parchur Assembly constituency in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.

NASPL
Incorporated in the year 2010, NASPL is engaged in the business of manufacturing of pesticides both liquids and wettable powders. Promoted by Mr. Mohammed Ali and Mr. Yeluri Sambasiva Rao, the company is operates a unit at Singannaguda, Medak district (Telangana).

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2018 2017
Operating income Rs crore 115.5 97.93
Reported profit after tax Rs crore 6.44 2.01
PAT margins % 5.56 2.05
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 1.21 1.50
Interest coverage Times 4.89 2.77

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 24.0 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Long Term
Loan
NA NA May-2019 1.5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan
Facility
NA NA NA 1.5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Nova Agri Tech Private Limited Full Consolidation Similar Marketing, common promoters with fungible cash flows
Nova Agri Science (P) Limited Full Consolidation Similar Marketing, common promoters with fungible cash flows
Nova Agri Seeds Pvt Ltd Full Consolidation Similar Marketing, common promoters with fungible cash flows
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  27.00  CRISIL BBB-/Stable      05-01-18  CRISIL BB-/Stable  23-08-17  CRISIL BB-/Stable  08-12-16  CRISIL B+/Stable  CRISIL BB-/Stable 
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 24 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Cash Credit 24 CRISIL BB-/Stable
Long Term Loan 1.5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Long Term Loan 1.5 CRISIL BB-/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 1.5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Proposed Cash Credit Limit 1 CRISIL BB-/Stable
-- 0 -- Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility .5 CRISIL BB-/Stable
Total 27 -- Total 27 --
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 Fertiliser Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

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