Rating Rationale
August 23, 2017 | Mumbai
Praj Industries Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.415 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities of Praj Industries Limited (Praj) at 'CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'.

The operating performance of Praj has been sluggish, with revenue declining~25% in fiscal 2017, while operating profitability reduced to 9.0% in fiscal 2017 from 10.7% in fiscal 2016. The sluggishness continued during April-June quarter of fiscal 2018 with company registering negative growth of~5% in its revenue while operating profitability declined to 1.8% from 3.5% over the corresponding period of previous year. The subdued operating performance is on account of lower execution of the domestic ethanol projects as well as postponement of projects by the distilleries, due to uncertain regulatory scenario pending implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Further, lower availability of molasses during fiscal 2017 also had an impact on the business of distilleries and consequently the operational performance of Praj. However, engineering business segment continued to witness traction.

CRISIL expects the operating performance of Praj to improve during the rest of the year driven by pick up in execution of ethanol projects and sustained improvement in the engineering business segment. Further, its working capital intensity is also expected to reduce with the traction on project execution front. CRISIL derives comfort from Praj's strong financial risk profile with liquidity of Rs.231 crore as on March 31, 2017. More than expected delay in improvement in the operating performance, build-up of order book or working capital front shall be key monitorables going forward.

The ratings continues to reflect Praj's established market position in the ethanol project and process engineering business catering mainly to the ethanol and brewery industries, satisfactory order backlog and improving diversity in revenue profile with satisfactory revenue contribution from hi-purity and engineering businesses. The ratings also factor in the company's strong financial risk profile marked by comfortable capital structure and healthy liquidity. These rating strengths are partially offset by Praj's exposure to cyclicality in the capital goods industry, and to project related risks.

Analytical Approach

* For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Praj and its subsidiaries because of the operational and financial linkages among the entities. Furthermore, all the entities are under a common management. The subsidiaries are Praj HiPurity Systems Ltd (previously, Neela Systems Ltd; rated 'CRISIL A+/Stable/CRISIL A1'), Praj Engineering & Infra Ltd (formerly Pacecon Engineering Projects Ltd), and five overseas execution subsidiaries - Praj Far East Co Ltd (Thailand), Praj Far East Philippines Ltd Inc (Philippines), Praj Industries Namibia Ltd (Namibia), Praj Americas Inc (USA), Praj Industries (Africa) Pty Ltd (South Africa)

* Goodwill arising out of consolidation of Praj's subsidiaries has been amortized over the period of five years.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position in the ethanol project and process engineering business:
Praj's business risk profile is supported by its established market position in the domestic ethanol plant installation and equipment business, where the company has around 72% market share, and in the domestic breweries installation segment, where it has around 65% market share. Praj's market position is also supported by its global presence with over 750 references in more than 70 countries and across 5 continents. The company provides end-to-end solutions, which include process technology and equipment (distillery and brewery segments) and waste-water treatment technology and critical process equipment. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Praj HiPurity Systems Ltd, the company provides pure water treatment systems for companies engaged in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food and beverage segment.

* Satisfactory Order backlog: Praj has a satisfactory order backlog of Rs.915 crore as on June 30, 2017 across the three business segments which provides a revenue visibility over the medium term. Although it is marginally lower compared to historical average, CRISIL expects it to gradually improve going forward. CRISIL will continue to monitor the developments on this front.

* Improving diversity in revenue profile: Praj has diversified into business areas of water and waste-water management, critical process equipment, bio-nutrients, hi purity systems with the objective of reducing its dependence on core business of ethanol-based products.  These areas, which are divided into two business divisions - hi-purity and engineering business - contributed 44% to the consolidated revenue for fiscal 2017, as compared to contribution of 36% to the consolidated revenue for fiscal 2016.

* Strong financial risk profile: Praj has a strong financial risk profile, marked by strong net worth, negligible debt, and strong liquidity and debt protection metrics. As on March 31, 2017, Praj reported a net worth of about Rs.620 crore and had negligible debt on its balance sheet. The company has financed its capital expenditure (capex) through internal accruals and does not rely on external debt. The strong cash accruals are also largely sufficient to meet its working capital requirements. Additionally, the company reported liquid surplus of Rs.231 crore on March 31, 2017. Praj's strong financial risk profile is expected to provide significant support during this period of sluggish business performance.

Weakness

* Exposure to cyclicality in the capital goods industry: Praj operates in the inherently cyclical capital goods sector, where demand is dependent on the capex cycle of its end-user industries. Any slowdown in the growth prospects of end-user industries affects Praj's topline and its profitability For instance, the company reported a decline in revenue in fiscals 2010, 2011 and 2013 on account of economic slowdown resulting in a decline in orders from developed countries. Further, in fiscal 2017, weak capex momentum led to decline in its revenue from operations. This also impacts Praj's working capital cycle, which gets stretched significantly due to slow project execution during economic slowdown.

* Exposure to project-related risks inherent in process-technology business: Praj's business is exposed to project-related risks, input price increase being one of them. As the average duration of a project ranges from 12 to 24 months, fluctuations in input prices during this period affect costs, and therefore, profitability. Furthermore, turnkey projects in India normally do not contain escalation clauses. However, Praj collects advance payment in most of the fixed price contracts and has prudent purchase policies in place, thereby mitigating the impact of any adverse movement in raw material prices.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that Praj's established market position in the domestic distillery and brewery installation business, and improving diversity in its revenue profile will help improve its operating performance over the near term. CRISIL also believes that the company will maintain its financial risk profile over the medium term, backed by steady cash accruals, prudent funding for its capex programmes and strong liquidity.

Upside Scenario
* Significant improvement in the scale of operations and operating profitability.
* Substantial improvement in the revenue diversity.

Downside Scenario
* Continued weak operating performance or lower than expected improvement in the scale of operations, operating profitability and consequently cash accruals over the near to medium term.

* Deterioration in its capital structure because of larger-than-expected debt-funded capex.

About the Company

Praj was incorporated in November 1985 as Praj Counseltech Pvt Ltd. It was promoted by a technocrat team comprising Mr. Pramod Chaudhari and associates. In 2007, Praj commissioned its manufacturing facility in the special economic zone in Kandla (Gujarat). In 2008, Praj started its pilot plant to carry out research and development (R&D) on second generation cellulosic ethanol technology at Praj Matrix ' R&D Center. In 2012, Praj acquired 50.2% stake in Praj HiPurity Systems Ltd and subsequently raised its stake to 100% in 2015. This company manufactures and sets up water treatment plants and modular process systems and caters mainly to the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, and food and beverages industries.

Praj has three business segments: (a) Bioenergy business (business of process design, engineering, fabrication, and commissioning of ethanol plants), accounted for 56% of Praj's consolidated revenue in fiscal 2017); b) Hi Purity Systems, accounted for 16% of Praj's consolidated revenue in fiscal 2017; c) Engineering business accounted for 28% of Praj's consolidated revenue in fiscal 2017 ' this segment has three sub-divisions water & waste water treatment (operates in the industrial waste water systems), critical process engineering (provides high-end equipment and systems finding applications of the oil & gas, petrochemical, fertiliser and chemicals industries), and Brewery Plants & Equipment.

Praj reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 38 crores on a total operating income of Rs 812 crore for fiscal 2017, vis-a-vis Rs 66 crore and Rs 1079 crore respectively in fiscal 2016, on a consolidated basis.

For the three months ended June 30, 2017, PAT (consolidated) stood at Rs 0.41 crore on a total operating income of Rs 186 crore vis-a-vis Rs 4.11 crore and Rs 197 crore for the corresponding period of the previous year.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs. Cr. 812  1079 
Profit After Tax* Rs. Cr. 38  66 
PAT Margin* % 4.7 6.1
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times   0.01 0.03 
Interest coverage Times   69.48 65.44 
*Adjusted

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 15 CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Letter of credit & bank guarantee* NA NA NA 400 CRISIL A1+
*Interchangeable between bank guarantee and letter of credit
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2017 (History) 2016  2015  2014  Start of 2014
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  15  CRISIL AA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL AA/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  400  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
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
Cash Credit 15 CRISIL AA/Stable Cash Credit 15 CRISIL AA/Stable
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee* 400 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee* 400 CRISIL A1+
Total 415 -- Total 415 --
*Interchangeable between bank guarantee and letter of credit
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 Engineering Sector
Criteria for rating Short-Term Debt (including Commercial Paper)

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