Rating Rationale
April 08, 2020 | Mumbai
Prolific Systems and Technologies Private Limited
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BB/Negative/CRISIL A4+'; Ratings removed from 'Watch Developing' ;
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.45 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB/Negative (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BBB-' Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing  Implications')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A3'; Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing  Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed the ratings on the bank loan facilities of Prolific Systems and Technologies Private Limited (PSTPL) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' and has downgraded the ratings to 'CRISIL BB/CRISIL A4+' from 'CRISIL BBB-/CRISIL A3, and assigned a 'Negative' outlook to the long term rating..
    
CRISIL had placed its rating on the long term bank facilities of PSTPL on watch on March 17, 2020, following the inability of the company to meet its debt obligations due to the imposition of moratorium on deposits with yes Bank. This impacted company's ability to service debt in a timely manner despite having the cushion in liquidity and willingness to repay the debt. The company had working capital facilities with Yes Bank.

However, the downgrade takes into account PTSPL's depressed business and subsequently liquidity profile. Amid the Covid-19 related lockdown and slowness in execution of orders, cash flows are depressed and payment cycle is elongated. This is going to test PTSPL's liquidity profile as also indicated by the stray incidence of letters of credit (LCs) devolvement. Any improvement in cash flow cycle or liquidity, backed by equity infusion or bank line enhancement will remain key monitorable. 
 
CRISIL has taken cognizance of the restrictions on economic activity, including closure of all non-essential manufacturing plants, due to the spread of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). This will impact the company's performance in fiscal 2021 as against CRISIL's earlier expectations. Impact of Covid-19 related restrictions applicable post April 14th, 2020 will remain a key monitorable.
 
The ratings continues to reflect the extensive experience of promoters in industry automation sector, diversified revenue and client base and moderate capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by working capital-intensive nature of operations, and exposure to intense competition in the industrial automation industry and cyclicality of the end-user industry.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths: 
* Extensive experience of the promoters: The two-decade-long experience of the promoters, in industry automation sector, their understanding of market dynamics, and established relationships with suppliers and customers, will continue to support the business risk profile.
 
* Diversified revenue profile and strong client base: The company offers turnkey automation solutions to companies across various sectors such as oil and gas, oil blending, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, power and metals, and power equipment, and provides training to corporate clients and students in industrial automation. Its top 5 customers contributed 25% of revenues in fiscal 2019, which includes players like Reliance Industries Limited, Larsen & Toubro Limited, amongst others.
 
* Moderate capital structure: PSTPL's capital structure is moderate reflected estimated networth of Rs. 50 crore, with moderate gearing and total outside liabilities to adjusted networth estimated at below 1 time as on March 31, 2020. This was mainly due to lower lower reliance in external debt and moderate accretion to reserves. CRISIL believes that the capital structure is expected to remain at similar level over the medium term.
 
Weaknesses:
* Working capital-intensive operations: Operations are working capital intensive, as reflected in estimated high gross current assets of 240-440 days for past four fiscals ended March 31, 2020 primarily due to stretched debtors of 80-200 days and inventory of 100-150 days. Debtors are high and volatile due to lumpiness in revenue booking and due to inclusion of retention money. Inventory is high due to long tenure projects and customization as per client orders. Timely realisation of dues from the counterparties and successful implementation of the projects shall remain key sensitive factor for the credit.
 
* Exposure to cyclicality of the end-user industry: The industry automation sector contributes about 70-75% to revenue. Performance of the automation sector is correlated with level of industrial development in the country. Any cutbacks in capital spending by corporates or deferral of capex plans, could weaken the revenue profile of players like PSTPL.
Liquidity Stretched

Fund based bank limits are fully utilised. Unencumbered cash and bank balance was low as on March 31, 2020. Liquidity is affected by the large working capital requirement that led to devolvement of LCs. Accruals are expected to be around Rs. 5-6 crore, for fiscal 2021 and 2022, with repayment obligation of Rs. 1.34 crore for each fiscal.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes PSTPL's business risk profile will be depressed in the near term leading to stretched liquidity.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors:
* Improved liquidity, with lower bank limit utilisation or equity infusion
* Significant improvement in working capital cycle (GCA less than 250 days) with timely realization of receivables and decline in inventory levels, with improvement in cash accruals
 
Downward factors:
* Continued higher utilisation of bank lines with stretched working capital cycle
* Decline in revenue and profitability, leading to cash accruals of less than Rs. 3 crores
About the Company

PSTPL, incorporated in 1996 in Thane, Maharashtra provides turnkey electrical, instrumentation, and automation solutions for industries such as pharmaceuticals, cement, and transformers. It also offers technical training programmes for fresh engineering graduates and working professionals in the manufacturing industry. It is currently managed by four technocrats: Mr Vijay Baoney (Managing director), Mr Vasudev Joshi (Chairman), Mr Rajesh Ballamwar (Director), and Mr Ganesh Ballamwar (Director).

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 72.13 78.18
Profit After Tax Rs Crore 1.05 2.76
PAT Margin % 1.5 3.5
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.62 0.56
Interest coverage Times 3.11 3.26
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 27 CRISIL BB/Negative
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 18 CRISIL A4+
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  27.00  CRISIL BB/Negative  17-03-20  CRISIL BBB-/Watch Developing  30-10-19  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  31-05-18  CRISIL BBB-/Positive  27-02-17  CRISIL BBB-/Positive  CRISIL BBB-/Positive 
            30-09-19  Withdrawn           
            31-08-19  CRISIL BB+/Stable (Issuer Not Cooperating)*           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  18.00  CRISIL A4+  17-03-20  CRISIL A3/Watch Developing  30-10-19  CRISIL A3  31-05-18  CRISIL A3  27-02-17  CRISIL A3  CRISIL A3 
            30-09-19  Withdrawn           
            31-08-19  CRISIL A4+ (Issuer Not Cooperating)*           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
*Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 27 CRISIL BB/Negative Cash Credit 27 CRISIL BBB-/Watch Developing
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 18 CRISIL A4+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 18 CRISIL A3/Watch Developing
Total 45 -- Total 45 --
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 Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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