Rating Rationale
October 30, 2019 | Mumbai
Rajapalayam Mills Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.862.46 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A/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 Rajapalayam Mills Limited (RML) at 'CRISIL A/Stable/CRISIL A1'.
 
The ratings reflects CRISIL's belief that RML's business performance will benefit from healthy demand prospects for cotton textiles and improving operating profitability over the medium term driven by better realizations on monetization of the expanded fabric capacity as well as potential cost savings post the completion of the modernization project. Also, RML is expected to maintain its moderate financial risk profile, despite sizeable debt funded expansion being undertaken due to expected higher accruals over the medium term.
 
During fiscal 2019, RML's operating profitability has declined to 13.4% (compared to 14.3% in fiscal 2019) due to adverse movement in cotton and cotton yarn prices as well as partial stoppage of production for modernization of spinning units.  Cheaper fabric imports as well as overcapacity situation in the country has further impacted yarn realizations in fiscal 2019. Additionally, unsold stock of about Rs 32 Cr at end of fiscal 2019 had led to increase in short term working capital, which is expected to moderate through the year.  
 
RML is expanding fabric capacity at a cost of Rs 265 crore and undertaking a modernization project for Rs.60 crore. A more diverse customer base, supported by RML's focus on more profitable export and corporate orders, availability of captive wind power and better realizations from the fabric segment post capacity becoming operational in fiscal 2020 is likely to support operating profitability over the medium term.
 
RML is expected to maintain its moderate financial risk profile, despite sizeable and mainly debt funded expansion underway; Temporary moderation in credit metrics is expected until fiscal 2020 even as increase in debt levels due to project loans will be partly buttressed by sizeable repayments on existing long term debt.
 
The rating also continues to draw support from material liquid investments held by RML in Ramco group flagship, The Ramco Cements Ltd (Ramco Cements, rated 'CRISIL A1+'), as well as in other group companies; the market value of these investments was about Rs. 2,567 crore at October 15, 2019.
 
The ratings continue to factor in RML's established market position in finer count yarn segment driven by extensive experience of promoters, healthy operating efficiency driven by synergies with other textile units of the Ramco group and availability of low cost power. Besides, the company benefits from financial flexibility in form of investments in Ramco group companies. These strengths are offset by a modest financial risk profile, working-capital-intensive operations and susceptibility of operating profitability to volatility in cotton and yarn prices.

Analytical Approach

The ratings of RML factor in the support expected from Ramco Group. CRISIL believes that RML will, in case of exigencies, receive distress support from the Ramco Group for timely repayment of debt obligations, due to operational synergies between textile companies in the group, common promoters, shared name and demonstrated financial support extended in case of exigencies in the form of unsecured loans by stronger entities in the group. Further, outstanding amounts against corporate guarantees provided to weaker Ramco group companies has been included as debt of RML.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position in finer count yarn segment driven by extensive experience of promoters: RML, which was established in 1938, and was Ramco group's first venture in textiles business, and the group has five other companies in the textile business. The company specializes in manufacturing yarn of finer counts ranging from 4s to 300s (single/double yarn), besides other value-added products like slub and gassed yarn and enjoys an established market position in the same driven by long-standing relationship with its customers. The planned fabric capacity expansion of 122 looms, on steady monetization in fiscal 2021, will further strengthen RML's market position.
 
* Healthy operating efficiency driven by synergies with other textile units of the Ramco group and availability of low cost power: RML enjoys healthy realisations due to its presence in higher count yarns and also supported by benefits of economies of scale. The company also benefits from operational synergies with other textile units of the Ramco group. For instance, cotton purchase is centralized for all of the group's textile entities resulting in cost effective purchase and lower logistics cost. Operating efficiencies also benefit from captive availability of power from its windmills with capacity of 35.15 MW, which effectively lowers the power and fuel costs. About 75% of power requirement of spinning Units in Tamil Nadu is met through captive power generation by windmills. Operating profitability has declined to 13.4% in fiscal 2019, (compared to 14.3% in fiscal 2018, due to adverse movement in yarn prices and partly due to the ongoing modernization of spinning units. This is expected to improve from fiscal 2021 with commercial production of the installed fabric capacity and modernization of units.
 
* Financial flexibility supported by investments in Ramco group companies: RML's large market value of investments, completely unpledged, held in group companies amounted to about Rs 2,567 crore as on October 15, 2019. Though these are strategic investments, these are available for pledging or sale to promoter group, in case of exigencies. Furthermore, RML benefits significantly from being part of the Ramco group and having common bankers with some of the larger entities such as Ramco Cements and RIL, allowing it to raise low-cost debt to fund its working capital requirements, as well as refinance its sizeable debt obligations, as witnessed over the previous two years.
 
Weakness
* Modest financial risk profile: RML's financial risk profile is constrained by the sizeable debt and corporate guarantees extended to the group companies in the textile business. RML's adjusted gearing (including Rs.39 crore loan outstanding against corporate guarantees) stands at 1.73 times as on March 31, 2019 while the net cash accruals to total debt (NCATD) and interest coverage ratios stood at 0.11 times and 3.64 times, respectively, in fiscal 2019. However, the company also generates stable non-operating income from investments in Ramco group companies, which provides some stability to its cash flows. Additionally, non-operating income through receipt of subsidies for ongoing fabric expansion and potential sale of land assets is expected to support cash flows over the medium term.
 
Increase in working capital requirements in fiscal 2019 along with increase in debt funding for the fabric project will result in temporary moderation in credit metrics (e.g. gearing of 1.8-2.0 times) in the fiscal 2020. Albeit, better cash generation, progressive debt repayment on existing debt and reduction in corporate guarantees outstanding, will result in credit metrics gradually improving from fiscal 2021 onwards.
 
* Working-capital-intensive operations and susceptibility to volatility in cotton and yarn prices: RML's key raw material, cotton, constitutes about 95% of its raw material cost, is a highly seasonal commodity and good quality cotton is available only during the peak cotton season i.e. October to March. Bulk procurement of cotton leads to high peak inventory holding period of four to six months, thereby exposing the company's margin to any steep decline in cotton prices subsequent to procurement. RML as a policy procures cotton in bulk and maintains an inventory of four to six months, leading to large working capital requirements.
Liquidity Strong

RML has strong liquidity, largely supported by its sizeable unpledged holdings in Ramco group companies of about Rs.2567 crores as well as expected forthcoming funding support from the group in case of exigencies. It is the largest textile entity of the Ramco group, and enjoys healthy relationships with lenders, which aid in refinancing of existing term debt obligations as well, for project funding.
 
RML generated net cash accruals of Rs. 56 crores, which is expected to improve gradually over the medium term driven by better business performance. RML's working bank lines of Rs 483 crore, are highly utilised at about 98% (of drawing power) over the 12 months period ended June 2019. CRISIL believes that RML's strong refinancing capabilities and established relationship with lenders, will enable it to tide over any cash flow mismatches. RML's long term repayment obligations remain high at around Rs. 62 crore and Rs 55 crore in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021. For the ongoing capacity expansion in fabric segment, RML has already tied up with banks for term loan of Rs 212 crore, of which about Rs 92 crore will be drawn down in fiscal 2020. Repayments on the project loan have a longer tenure of 9.5 years with moratorium period of 18 months, providing sufficient time to stabilise expanded capacity.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes RML's business risk profile will continue to benefit from its long-standing relationships with clients, focus on more profitable corporate orders, geographical diversity into export markets and forward integration into fabric manufacturing. The benefits of cost optimization measures and ongoing modernization project is expected to more than offset the adverse sector headwinds. Timely implementation of the planned fabric capacity expansion, and stabilisation thereafter, will be critical. Project related debt will lead to a temporary moderation in key credit metrics in fiscal 2020, which will gradually recover from fiscal 2021, as project benefits are available, resulting in better cash generation. The financial risk profile is expected to gradually improve driven by steady monetization of new fabric capacity leading to higher accruals and progressive repayment of debt obligations over the medium term.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors:
* Sustainable improvement in operating margins to above 16% through better realizations on orders, along with prudent working capital management leading to marked increase in accruals.
* Greater than expected decline in gearing (below 1.2 times) and improvement in debt protection metrics over the medium term
* Steady monetization of the ongoing fabric capacity expansion translating to growth in revenue and improvement in profitability.
 
Dowward factors
* Sustained decline in operating profitability below 12% despite the cost optimization measures and support from fabric manufacturing.
* Higher than expected debt-funded capital spending, or a stretch in the working capital cycle
* Any significant deterioration in the credit profile of key Ramco group entities impacting the overall group's credit profile.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1936, RML was founded by Mr. P A C Ramasamy Raja, founder of the South India-based Ramco group. RML manufactures cotton yarn of counts ranging from 4s to 300s (single/double yarn), besides other value-added products; the company is based in Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu. It has four manufacturing facilities in and around Rajapalayam, and one facility in Andhra Pradesh. It has a combined capacity of 132,722 spindles and 5480 rotors. RML also has wind power facilities aggregating to 35.15 megawatts (MW), which helps it control power costs.
 
The Ramco group includes The Ramco Cements Limited (rated 'CRISIL A1+'), Ramco Industries Limited (rated 'CRISIL A1+'), Ramco Systems Ltd, besides textile entities such as RML, The Ramaraju Surgical Cotton Mills Ltd (rated 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable/CRISIL A2'), Sri Vishnu Shankar Mills ('CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISL A3+'), Sandhya Spinning Mill Ltd (rated 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3'), Rajapalayam Textile Limited ('CRISIL BBB+/Stable) and Sri Harini Textiles Ltd.
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2019, RML reported profit after tax (PAT) losses of Rs 1.4 crore on net sales of Rs 103 crore, against a PAT of Rs 1.6 crore on net sales of Rs 106.4 crore for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2019 2018
Revenue Rs Crore 416 429
Profit After tax Rs Crore 28 29
PAT margins % 6.7 6.8
Adjusted debt/adjusted net worth Times 1.73 1.27
Interest coverage Times 3.64 4.32

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 205.00 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Foreign Exchange Forward@ NA NA NA 3.00 CRISIL A1
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee# NA NA NA 40.00 CRISIL A1
NA Working Capital Demand Loan** NA NA NA 103.71 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Long-Term Loan NA NA Nov-2021 3.04 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Long-Term Loan NA NA Jul-2020 4.41 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Long-Term Loan NA NA Dec-2028 240.00 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Long-Term Loan NA NA July-2020 20.00 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Working Capital Term Loan NA NA Jun-2020 72.14 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Working Capital Loan NA NA NA 135.00 CRISIL A/Stable
NA Proposed long term facilities NA NA NA 36.16 CRISIL A/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  822.46  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1  04-03-19  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1  07-09-18  CRISIL A-/Positive/ CRISIL A2+  12-01-17  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  11-01-16  CRISIL BBB+/Stable/ CRISIL A2  CRISIL BBB+/Stable/ CRISIL A2 
        18-01-19  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1  02-01-18  CRISIL A-/Positive/ CRISIL A2+           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  40.00  CRISIL A1  04-03-19  CRISIL A1  07-09-18  CRISIL A2+  12-01-17  CRISIL A2+  11-01-16  CRISIL A2  CRISIL A2 
        18-01-19  CRISIL A1  02-01-18  CRISIL A2+           
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
Cash Credit 205 CRISIL A/Stable Cash Credit 130 CRISIL A/Stable
Foreign Exchange Forward 3 CRISIL A1 Foreign Exchange Forward@ 3 CRISIL A1
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee# 40 CRISIL A1 Letter of Credit# 40 CRISIL A1
Long Term Loan 267.45 CRISIL A/Stable Long Term Loan 277.43 CRISIL A/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 36.16 CRISIL A/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 102.61 CRISIL A/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan** 103.71 CRISIL A/Stable Working Capital Demand Loan** 103.71 CRISIL A/Stable
Working Capital Loan 135 CRISIL A/Stable Working Capital Loan 195 CRISIL A/Stable
Working Capital Term Loan 72.14 CRISIL A/Stable Working Capital Term Loan 10.71 CRISIL A/Stable
Total 862.46 -- Total 862.46 --
** - Includes Sub-limits of Rs. 13.71 Crores for Working Capital Term Loan, Rs. 20 Crores for Term Loan, Rs. 50 Crores for purchase of bill discounting, Rs. 45 Crores for Foreign Bill discounting, Rs. 15 Crores for letter for credit-backed bill discounting, Rs. 40 Crores for Letter of Credit, Rs.60 Crores for Capex LC and Rs. 40 Crores for SBLC for Buyers Credit
# - Interchangeable with buyers credit to the extent of Rs 15 crore 
@earlier rated as Derivative facility
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 Cotton Textile Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Group Support

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