Rating Rationale
April 06, 2020 | Mumbai
Quality Industries
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BB+/Negative/CRISIL A4+'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.30.15 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB+/Negative (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A3')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale
CRISIL has downgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of Quality Industries (QIND; part of the Vardhman group) to 'CRISIL BB+/Negative/CRISIL A4+' from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3'.
 
The downgrade reflects weakening of business risk profile primarily because of stretched working capital cycle- payment from debtors delayed, and subsequent weakening of liquidity. As a result, the letter of credit facility availed by Lazer India Private Limited (LIPL) got devolved and was regularised on the next working day. Also, in the wake of large working capital requirements, bank limit utilization continue to remain high (in LIPL), thereby constraining overall liquidity.
 
Further change in rating outlook also follows measures taken by central and state governments towards containment of COVID-19, which includes temporary closure of non-critical establishments. In the wake of said lockdown, business operations will be impacted leading to further impact on financial risk profile, especially liquidity. While, Central government's measures are applicable till April 14, 2020, revocation of the measures will be contingent upon directive from the Central government and extent of spread of COVID-19. Though a sustained long period of closures can result in significant deterioration in credit profiles of company, a faster reversal to normalcy may contain the extent of such deterioration.  That said, the ability of the business to revert back to operational stability, and any relief measures given by the government will be a key monitorable, and CRISIL will continue monitoring these events.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the extensive experience of the promoters in the household appliances industry and their funding support, along with comfortable debt protection metrics. These strengths are partially offset by large working capital requirement, and a highly leveraged capital structure.
Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of QIND, LIPL, Vardhman Electrical Appliances (VEA), and VHAL. That's because all these entities, collectively referred to as the Vardhman group, have significant operational and financial linkages and are under the same management.
 
Of the unsecured loans of Rs 13.22 crore as on March 31, 2019, Rs 6 crore have been treated as 75% equity and 25% debt; the remaining have been treated as neither debt nor equity. All these funds are expected to remain in the business over the 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
* Extensive industry experience of the promoters and their funding support
An experience of over three decade has helped the promoters gain a sound insight into the household appliances industry. They have also developed a healthy business relationship with customers such as Usha International, Havells, and Surya Roshni and bagged repeat orders from them. The benefits were reflected in the brisk scale-up in operations, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% during the three fiscals through 2019, however this growth may be hampered in the near term due to adverse impact of COVID-19 on the domestic economy. Additionally, need and time based financial support from promoters have aided the liquidity requirements in the past, the extent of such support shall continue to aid the liquidity needs over the medium term.
 
* Moderate debt protection metrics
The adjusted interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios are expected to be around 3.5 times and 0.3 time, respectively, in fiscal 2020. The metrics are largely aided by stable operating profitability (4-5%) over the past few fiscals, leading to better cash accrual. In the wake of expected weakening of business risk profile due to COVID-19, debt protection metrics of the group might be impacted but shall remain to remain moderate, supported by moderate expected cash accruals and no major debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) planned over the medium term
 
Weaknesses
* Large working capital requirement:
Gross current assets are estimated over 170-180 days, driven by stretched receivables and increased inventory, estimated for fiscal 2020. Receivables have been high (in the past) on account of extensive support offered to combat competition, and with expected delays in debtor realisation (due to covid-19), the receivables shall further increase to over 125-130 days as at Mar 31, 2020, from up till 110 days previously. Inventory shall increase to over 50 days (from 25-40 days historically) on account negligible sales made towards fiscal end due to nationwide lockdown (to contain covid-19 spread).
 
* Highly leveraged capital structure
The total outside liabilities to tangible networth (TOLTNW) ratio is estimated to remain high at over 4.1 times as on March 31, 2020, primarily because of large payables and high reliance on debt to fund the increased working capital requirements. However, the networth is expected to remain healthy over Rs 54 crore as on March 31, 2020, supported by steady accretion to reserves over the past few fiscals. With reliance on working capital debt and credit support from suppliers likely to be high, the capital structure should remain leveraged over the medium term.

Liquidity Stretched
Net cash accrual is expected to be moderate at Rs 11-12 crore, against repayment obligation of around Rs 2-4 crore, per fiscal over the medium term. The combined bank limit was moderately utilised at an average of 74% over past 12 months, through Feb 2020; however, bank lines of some of the group entities (LIPL and VHAL) have had instances of almost full utilisation during this period. Further, due to stretched working capital cycle and low cushion in bank lines, letter of credit facility (in LIPL) got partially devolved, but was regularised timely. Liquidity is expected to be aided by timely need-based funding from the promoters; the extent of such support will remain a key monitorable over the medium term.
Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes the Vardhman group's business risk profile will be constrained in the near term on account of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward Factors
* Stable business risk profile on account of sustained revenue and margin, leading to annual cash accrual of over Rs 12 crore
* Efficient working capital management, leading to moderation in bank limit utilization and hence an improved liquidity
* Improvement in financial risk profile, particularly leverage position

Downward Factors
* Significant decline in revenue or operating margins resulting in weakening of business risk profile
* Stretched working capital cycle or any sizable, debt-funded capex, leading to an increase in the TOLTNW ratio to above 4.5 times
* Discontinuation of promoters financial support.

About the Group

Established in 2008, QIND is a partnership firm that manufactures and markets various household appliances. It undertakes contract manufacturing for large players such as Usha, Havells, and Surya Roshni, and also sells under its Lazer brand. Daily operations are managed by Mr Piyush Jain and the manufacturing facilities are in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh; Kundli, Haryana; and Delhi. The promoters have been in the household appliances industry since three decades through group entities.
 
The Vardhman group was started in 1983 by Mr Pramod Jain to enter the household appliances segment. The group is a progressive market leader known for manufacturing and marketing fast-moving electrical goods, including fans, irons, pumps, electric water heaters, room heaters, induction cooktops, mixer grinders, choppers, blenders, immersion rods, heating elements, and air coolers, under its Lazer brand. The brand has the largest range of room heaters, elements, immersion rods, and irons in India.

Key financial indicators (Standalone)
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 238.04 211.91
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 3.04 3.80
PAT Margin % 1.6 1.6
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.69 0.84
Interest coverage Times 3.2 2.9
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 6.0 CRISIL BB+/Negative
NA Drop Line Overdraft Facility NA NA NA 16.0 CRISIL BB+/Negative
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 5.0 CRISIL A4+
NA Long Term Loan NA NA Nov-2024 3.0 CRISIL BB+/Negative
NA Bill Discounting NA NA NA 0.15 CRISIL BB+/Negative
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Entities Consolidated Extent of consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Quality Industries Full Same business, and common management and operational synergies
Lazer India Private Limited Full Same business, and common management and operational synergies
Vardhman Electrical Appliances Full Same business, and common management and operational synergies
Vardhman Home Appliances Limited Full Same business, and common management and operational synergies
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  25.15  CRISIL BB+/Negative  12-02-20  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  11-01-19  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  31-12-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable      Suspended 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  5.00  CRISIL A4+  12-02-20  CRISIL A3  11-01-19  CRISIL A3          Suspended 
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
Bill Discounting .15 CRISIL BB+/Negative Bill Discounting .15 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Cash Credit 6 CRISIL BB+/Negative Cash Credit 6 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Drop Line Overdraft Facility 16 CRISIL BB+/Negative Drop Line Overdraft Facility 16 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Letter of Credit 5 CRISIL A4+ Letter of Credit 5 CRISIL A3
Long Term Loan 3 CRISIL BB+/Negative Long Term Loan 3 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Total 30.15 -- Total 30.15 --
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 Consumer Durable Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
Criteria for rating entities belonging to homogenous groups

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