Rating Rationale
November 25, 2020 | Mumbai
Phoenix Poultry
Rating outlook revised to 'Stable', rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.50 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB+/Stable (Outlook revised from 'Negative' and rating 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 facility of Phoenix Poultry (PP) to 'Stable' from 'Negative' and has reaffirmed the rating at 'CRISIL BBB+'.
 
The revision in the outlook reflects a marked revival with operations turning profitable in H1FY21 after the company reported a loss at operating level in fiscal 2020. In H1FY21, the company reported revenue of Rs 183 crore (against Rs 222 crore in H1FY20) and EBITDA of Rs 10 crore (against EBITDA of Rs 6.3 crore in H1FY20). The improvement in the profitability was largely driven by improvement in the prices of day old chicks (DOC) in Q2FY21 while average maize procurement price by PP in H1FY21 dipped by almost 35% as compared to that in FY20. The price of the DOC has remained well above cost of production till date indicating that PP's operations shall generate healthy profit in the FY21. Nevertheless, the sustenance of DOC prices and a pick-up in overall volume shall continue to remain key rating sensitivity factors.
 
The rating continues to reflect the firm's integrated operations and strong regional presence, backed by the extensive experience of its promoters in the poultry industry and established relationships with suppliers and customers, and strong financial risk profile. The strengths are partially offset by exposure to competition and inherent risks in the poultry industry.

Analytical Approach

Unsecured loans from promoters of Rs 13.72 crore as on March 31, 2020 is treated as neither debt nor equity (NDNE) as it is expected to remain in the business in the medium term.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established position, integrated operations and strong regional presence
PP produces and sells Babcock (BV 300) layer DOCs and cockerels, broiler eggs, Cobb broiler DOCs, commercial eggs and broilers, and feed in Madhya Pradesh. The firm benefits from its integrated operations, with an in-house feed manufacturing unit, and strong brand. It gets a premium on its DOCs because of high quality and reputed brand.
 
* Promoters' extensive experience and strong relationships with suppliers and customers
The firm's founder, the late Mr Vishwanath Dubey, was the co-founder of National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC). His daughter Ms Gaura Dubey manages PP. Over the years, the firm has established strong relationships with its supplier, Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt Ltd, and customers, which will support the business.

* Moderate financial risk profile
The financial risk profile is supported by adequate adjusted networth of Rs 114 crore and comfortable total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratio of less than 0.46 time as on March 31, 2020. The firm had nil debt obligation as on March 31, 2019. However, it had working capital debt of Rs 28.75 crore as on March 31, 2020 to manage working capital because of subdued profitability. Any correction in the prices of DOC or increase in feed prices can significantly impact the financial risk profile.
 
Weakness
* Exposure to intense competition and risks inherent in the poultry industry
The poultry industry has several organized and unorganized players catering to regional demand. The industry is driven by regional demand and supply factors because of transportation constraints and the perishability of products. It is also susceptible to disease outbreaks, which could lead to decline in sales volume and realizations. Moreover, because of religious beliefs, demand for poultry is seasonal.
 
* Subdued operating performance in FY20 and anticipated revival in FY21
The operating performance remained subdued throughout fiscal 2020 and COVID-19 had further added to already suppressed profitability. The company's operational metrics were impacted because of restrictions imposed by Government of India (GoI) in the month of March and April 2020 to contain spread of pandemic. However, with unlocking measures there has been a revival in the business performance in H1FY21. CRISIL shall continue to monitor the operational metrics of the firm. 
Liquidity Adequate

The firm has adequate liquidity; however with subdued profitability, the dependence on bank limits had increased, same is reflected from bank limit of Rs 50 crore which was unutilized in the past 12 months through February 2020, and utilized at average of 27% over the past 8 months ending October 2020. In addition, the firm used its unencumbered fixed deposit to avail of overdraft facility of Rs 23.75 crore. This facility was largely unutilized However utilization remained above 85% in the past 6 months ending October 2020 due to higher working capital requirements. No long term debt obligation and funding support from the promoters should continue to support liquidity. While company did not intend to avail moratorium, bank had automatically given moratorium on the interest component of OD against FD facility of the firm.  

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that the revival in the prices of DOC should continue to support profitability and hence financial risk profile of PP. Further partner's expertise in managing the business amid challenging times in the past shall continue to support the firm.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factors
* Sustenance of EBITDA margin above 15% along with growth in revenue
* Sustenance of strong liquidity buffer in the form of either cash balance and fixed deposit or cushion in bank lines

Downward factors
* Decline in revenue by 30% or in operating margin, leading to lower-than-expected cash accrual in fiscal 2021
* Reduction in liquidity cushion available in the form of unutilized bank lines or unencumbered cash balance.

About the Firm

PP is a partnership firm established by the late Mr Vishwanath Dubey. It is based in Jabalpur and produces layer and broiler chicks, birds and eggs. The firm also has a feed factory, and the output is used for captive consumption and for sale. PP is the sole franchise of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt Ltd for layer BV 300 birds in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 460.44 402.97
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 44.99 59.65
PAT Margin % 9.8 14.8
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times NA 0.30
Interest coverage Times 43.78 16.48

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
 ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate Maturity ate Issue size (Rs.Cr) Complexity
Levels
Rating assigned with outlook
NA Working Capital Facility NA NA NA 50 NA CRISIL BBB+/Stable
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  50.00  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  18-06-20  CRISIL BBB+/Negative  24-07-19  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  09-07-18  CRISIL BBB+/Stable    --  -- 
        26-03-20  CRISIL BBB+/Negative               
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
Working Capital Facility 50 CRISIL BBB+/Stable Working Capital Facility 50 CRISIL BBB+/Negative
Total 50 -- Total 50 --
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 Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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