Rating Rationale
January 18, 2019 | Mumbai
Ramco Industries Limited
Rating Reaffirmed 
 
Rating Action
Rs.100 Crore Commercial Paper Programme CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its rating on the commercial paper programme of Ramco Industries Limited (RIL) at 'CRISIL A1+'.

The rating reflects the company's established position in the domestic asbestos cement (AC) roofing market and improving presence in the Sri Lankan market, healthy diversity in business risk profile through presence in textiles, calcium silicate boards, and wind power segments. The rating also reflects the company's adequate financial risk profile driven by steady accruals, prudent working capital management and moderate expansion plans. Significant value of investments in listed Ramco group companies including Ramco Cements Limited (rated 'CRISIL A1+') additionally supports the company's financial flexibility. These strengths are partially offset by RIL's exposure to intense competition from peers in AC roofing market as well as from substitute products. RIL is also exposed to regulatory risks on manufacture and usage of asbestos, as well as change in policies of key asbestos-producing nations, given that India imports its entire asbestos requirement.

During the first six months of fiscal 2019, RIL's standalone operating income increased by 23% compared to the comparable period of the previous year driven by improved demand in its end markets, while operating profitability improved to  12.6% compared to 12.2% last year driven by improved capacity utilization in its ramped up plants in Arakkonam and Rajasthan. The scenario is expected to improve steadily driven by increasing rural household income and broader economic growth. During the first half fiscal 2019, RIL has purchased 148,000 shares in Ramco Cements for Rs 10 crore from Vishnu Shankar Mills through related party transaction.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of RIL and its subsidiaries, held directly or indirectly, as the entities share a common management, operate in similar line of business with significant operational and financial linkages. CRISIL considers these entities as being strategic to RIL in view of their strong integration with RIL's operations. Further, outstanding amounts against corporate guarantees provided to weaker Ramco group companies have been included as debt of RIL.

Please refer Annexure - Details of consolidation, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established position in domestic AC roofing market: RIL has been in the domestic AC roofing business for more than 50 years and is one of the four large players, which together account for about 75% of overall market share. Pan-India presence with manufacturing facilities across the four regions has helped entrench the brand and also shield operations from regional demand-supply mismatches. This has in turn improved the prospects for players in AC roofing business. During fiscal 2018, company has further expanded its market channels and distributor base for better market reach especially in West India. The company continues to leverage its brand equity for its AC roofing products in Sri Lanka, despite a tough operating environment in fiscal 2018.

* Strong diversity in revenue profile: While domestic AC roofing business continues to be RIL's mainstay contributing 72% to its overall revenues during fiscal 2018, the company also manufactures cotton yarn (which accounted for 12% of revenues in fiscal 2018). RIL also manufactures calcium silicate boards (CSB; contributing about 12% to revenues), this along with AC roofing comprises the building products division. During fiscal 2017, RIL has ventured into implementing turnkey projects for roofing solutions in India and Sri Lanka, which provides additional opportunities for the future. Given the stronger diversity in revenue profile, the ramp-up of utilisation levels at the CSB units in Arakkonam and Rajasthan, along with broader improvement in domestic AC roofing business has helped mitigate the subdued performance of the Sri Lankan unit in fiscal 2017 and 2018. CRISIL believes that improving revenue diversity will enable RIL mitigate significant fluctuation in performance in future.

* Adequate and improving financial risk profile: RIL's financial risk profile is adequate marked by healthy networth, declining debt and corporate guarantees extended to group companies, and improving debt protection metrics. RIL's adjusted gearing (including guarantees provided to group companies)  stands at 0.39 times as on March 31, 2018 showing a steady improvement from 0.62 times as on March 31, 2017. Net cash accruals to total debt (NCATD) and interest coverage ratios also improved to about 0.35 times and 7.45 times, respectively in fiscal 2018 as compared to 0.20 times and 4.09 times respectively in fiscal 2017. RoCE also improved at 12.2% in fiscal 2018 from 10.4% in fiscal 2017. Cash generation will increase steadily supported by improvement in profitability to about 13-14% levels over the medium term, supported by sustained wind power generation in its captive windmills, improving profitability in textiles and Sri Lankan operations. Also, CRISIL does not expect an increase in guarantees provided to group entities, as performance of the group entities is gradually improving. Nevertheless, this would remain a key monitorable.

* Financial flexibility supported by investments in Ramco group companies and as a leading company of the Ramco group: RIL is the second largest company in the Ramco group after The Ramco Cements Ltd (rated 'CRISIL A1+'), and it enjoys strong relationship with the lending community, allowing it to raise low cost debt. Its large portfolio of investments in listed group entities, which is completely unpledged, amounted to about Rs. 3335 crore (market value) as on January 1, 2019. Though these investments are strategic in nature, they lend a good amount of financial flexibility and support liquidity to offset any financial exigency. In fact, a moderate portion of the investments were divested during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 to support cash flows and lower debt.

Weakness
* Regulatory threat of ban on manufacture or use of asbestos in end user markets and in key asbestos-producing nations: RIL, which generates around 72% of its revenue from the sale of AC roofing, is exposed to the risk of a ban on use of asbestos and on mining of asbestos in Russia, Canada, Kazakhstan, or Brazil (which are the largest exporters of this mineral). In India, only white asbestos (known as crysotile) fibre is used, as blue and brown asbestos have been banned. Furthermore, all forms of asbestos mining are banned in the country. Regulatory changes concerning asbestos mining and usage will remain a key monitorable.

* Intense competition in Indian AC-roofing market and exposed to raw material price fluctuations: The domestic market for AC roofing is fragmented with 18 players in the fray and RIL faces stiff competition from its peers. Furthermore, AC roofing manufacturers also face stiff competition from manufacturers of galvanised iron (GI) roofing sheets, which has emerged as a viable alternative for AC roofing as the same is easily transportable and on account of price decline of GI sheets in recent years. However, these trends has been mitigated in fiscal 2018, following increase in steel prices (key raw material). The prices of raw materials for AC roofing (asbestos fibre) have remained broadly stable in fiscal 2018, however RIL remains exposed to the price volatility and currency fluctuations as seen in the past. The revenue concentration risk is partially mitigated with gradually declining dependence on domestic AC roofing, supported by steady growth in AC roofing business in Sri Lanka and diversification into calcium silicate boards.

Liquidity
RIL has ample liquidity driven by expected cash accruals of more than Rs. 100-120 crore per annum over the medium term and cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 60 crore as on September 30, 2018. RIL also has access to adequate bank limits of Rs 550 crore, utilized to the tune of about 50% (over drawing power) on an average over the 12 months ended November 2018. The company has long term repayment obligations around Rs. 25-27 crore each in FY19 and FY20 with maintenance capex of around Rs.30 crore per annum. CRISIL believes the company has sufficient accruals and cash and cash equivalents to meet its repayment obligations, capex requirements and investment requirements in various subsidiaries and JVs. With an adjusted gearing of 0.39 times as of March 31, 2018, RIL has sufficient gearing headroom, to raise additional debt for its capex requirements. Its unutilized bank lines are more than adequate to meet its incremental working capital needs over the next one year.
About the Company

Incorporated in 1965, RIL was founded by Mr.P.R.Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, son of Mr. P A C Ramasamy Raja, founder of the South India-based Ramco group. RIL manufactures and sells AC roofing in both India and Sri Lanka, calcium silicate boards in the building products division and also sells cotton yarn of counts ranging from 4s to 300s. It has 10 manufacturing facilities across India for the building products division, and one facility in Rajapalyam, Tamil Nadu for manufacture of cotton yarn , 4 Windmills at Tamil nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat.

The Ramco group includes The Ramco Cements Ltd (formerly Madras Cements Ltd, rated 'CRISIL A1+'), Ramco Systems Ltd and RIL, while the textile companies in the group include Rajapalayam Mills Ltd (rated 'CRISIL A/Stable/CRISIL A1'), Rajapalayam Textile Limited (rated 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable'), The Ramaraju Surgical Cotton Mills Ltd (rated 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable/CRISIL A2'), Sri Vishnu Shankar Mills Ltd (rated 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+'), Sandhya Spinning Mills Limited (rated 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3') and Sri Harini Textiles Ltd.

For the six month period ended September 30, 2018, RIL (on a standalone basis) reported a PAT of Rs.48 crore (Rs.38 crore in the corresponding period of fiscal 2018), on net revenues of Rs 491 crore (Rs.427 crore).

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 951 884
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 79 55
PAT Margins % 8.3 6.2
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.39 0.62
Interest coverage Times 7.45 4.09

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 Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 100 CRISIL A1+
 
Annexure - Details of Consolidation
The consolidated entities include M/s.Sudharsanam Investments Limited, Sri Ramco Lanka (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka and Sri Ramco Roofings Lanka (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka.
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
Commercial Paper  ST  100.00  CRISIL A1+      11-04-18  CRISIL A1+  04-05-17  CRISIL A1+    --  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
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
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Group Support
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Vinay Rajani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1835
M: +91 91 676 42913
B: +91 22 3342 3000
vinay.rajani@ext-crisil.com

Anuj Sethi
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 44 6656 3100
anuj.sethi@crisil.com


Sameer Charania
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8025
sameer.charania@crisil.com


Preetham Sharma
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 44 6656 3100
preetham.sharma@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL