Rating Rationale
May 13, 2020 | Mumbai
R.P.P Infra Projects Limited
Long-term rating downgraded to 'CRISIL BB/Negative'; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.270 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB/Negative (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BB+/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of R.P.P Infra Projects Limited (RPPIPL) to 'CRISIL BB/Negative' from 'CRISIL BB+/Stable'. The rating on the short term facilities has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A4+'.
 
The downgrade reflects subdued business performance in fiscal 2020, which is expected to continue for fiscal 2021, due to the restriction on economic activity following the outbreak of Covid-19. Moreover, the business risk profile shall remain exposed to challenges associated with sanctioning of funds for the projects by the government, timely clearances of payment, and availability of labour after the lockdown. This coupled with stretched receivable cycle has led to increased dependence on bank lines, leading to nearly full utilisation. Any further stretch in working capital cycle may weaken the liquidity over the near term.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the extensive experience of the promoters in the construction industry, adequate orders providing revenue visibility, and above average financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by working capital-intensive operations, and exposure to intense competition in a fragmented industry and to risks inherent in a tender-based business and decline in operating margins.

Analytical Approach

Unsecured loans of Rs 41.77 crore as on March 31, 2019, from the promoters have been treated as neither debt nor equity as these loans are likely to be retained in the business over the medium term.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Extensive industry experience of the promoters: The promoters have an experience of over three decades in the civil construction industry, giving them a sound understanding of the dynamics of the business. The company has diversified into various sectors such as roads, irrigation, buildings, and substations, leading to a steady increase in revenue over the four fiscals through 2020. Orders of Rs 1,788 crore as on March 30, 2020, to be executed in 24-36 months, provide strong revenue visibility.
 
* Above average financial risk profile: The networth was adequate at Rs 204.16 crore, and gearing and total outside liabilities to adjusted networth (TOLANW) ratio comfortable at 0.48 time and 1.37 times, as on March 31, 2019 (estimated at 0.4-0.5 time and 1.3-1.4 time, as on March 31, 2020). Debt protection metrics were adequate, reflected in an interest coverage ratio of 3.04 times and a net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratio of 0.31 time for fiscal 2019, estimated at 2.50-2.60 times and 0.30-0.40 time in fiscal 2020. The financial risk profile is expected to remain at a similar level over the medium term on account of no major debt funded capex and moderate operating profitability.
 
Weaknesses
* Working capital-intensive operations: Gross current assets (GCAs) are estimated at more than 300 days, driven by estimated high inventory of around 130-140 days and stretched receivables of around 100-105 days as on March 31, 2020. The need to provide earnest money, security deposits, and margin money for bank guarantee increases working capital requirement, leading to full utilisation of bank lines. With steady revenue, incremental working capital requirement will be high and its efficient management will remain critical.
 
* Exposure to intense competition in a fragmented industry and to risks inherent in a tender-based business: As the business is predominantly tender-based, revenue depends on the ability to bid successfully for tenders. Competition from major players, as well as many local and small unorganised players, constrains profitability. Moreover, about 40% of orders are from projects in Tamil Nadu, which makes the company susceptible to slowdown in tenders for that region or changes in the state government's policies.
 
* Decline in operating margins: The company's operating margins have been declining over the past few fiscals (from 14 per cent in fiscal 2017 to 11.6 per cent in fiscal 2019) mainly on account of increase in prices of key consumables.
Liquidity Stretched

The fund based limit of Rs 55.04 crore was utilized at around 98% during the 10 months through March 2020. Cash accrual is estimated at Rs 25-26 crore per fiscal for fiscals 2021 and 2022, against long-term debt obligations of Rs 17.58 crore and Rs 10.63 crore, respectively. The company has availed a loan repayment moratorium for April and May 2020. Promoters have extended fund support in the form of unsecured loan of Rs 41.77 crore as on March 31, 2020. Unencumbered cash and bank balance was Rs. 5.55 crore as on March 31, 2020.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL expects that RPPIPL's credit risk profile may come under pressure due to stretched receivable cycle and delay in project execution.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Improvement in liquidity, supported by timely enhancement in working capital funding resulting in lower utilisation of bank lines
* Improvement in the working capital cycle, with GCAs reducing to below 250 days, thus improving the financial risk profile
 
Downward factors
* Large, debt-funded capital expenditure, weakening the capital structure
* Substantial increase in working capital requirement with GCAs of more than 400 days, leading to stretched liquidity.
About the Company

RPPIPL was set up in 1995 as a private limited company, R P P Construction Pvt Ltd, which was reconstituted as a public limited company in 2010. It is managed by Mr R P Arulsundaram and his wife, Mrs A Nithya. The company undertakes civil construction projects for roads, bridges, irrigation, buildings and power projects primarily for government departments. It is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2019 2018
Operating income Rs.Crore 585.92 503.44
Reported profit after tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 24.35 13.50
PAT Margin % 4.2 2.7
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.48 0.52
Interest coverage Times 3.03 3.73

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 Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 184.39 CRISIL A4+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 58.47 CRISIL BB/Negative
NA Long Term Loan NA NA Jan-2022 5 CRISIL BB/Negative
NA Proposed  Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 22.14 CRISIL BB/Negative
 
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  85.61  CRISIL BB/Negative      26-07-19  CRISIL BB+/Stable  11-09-18  CRISIL BBB/Stable      Suspended 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  184.39  CRISIL A4+      26-07-19  CRISIL A4+  11-09-18  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ 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
Bank Guarantee 184.39 CRISIL A4+ Bank Guarantee 204.49 CRISIL A4+
Cash Credit 58.47 CRISIL BB/Negative Cash Credit 58.47 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Long Term Loan 5 CRISIL BB/Negative Long Term Loan 5 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 22.14 CRISIL BB/Negative Proposed Bank Guarantee 2.04 CRISIL A4+
Total 270 -- Total 270 --
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 Construction Industry
The Rating Process

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