Rating Rationale
August 26, 2024 | Mumbai
Rathi Bars Limited
Rating reaffirmed at 'CRISIL BBB/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.60 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BBB/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Note: None of the Directors on CRISIL Ratings Limited’s Board are members of rating committee and thus do not participate in discussion or assignment of any ratings. The Board of Directors also does not discuss any ratings at its meetings.
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL BBB/Stable' rating on the long-term bank facilities of Rathi Bars Ltd (RBL).

 

The rating continues to reflect the established market position of the company in the steel industry, the strong relationships with customers and suppliers, and above-average financial risk profile. Operating income rose to around Rs 614 crore in fiscal 2024 (from Rs 483 crore in fiscal 2023), as continuous demand from domestic customers led to volumetric growth. The company achieved revenue of around Rs 148 crore in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and is expected to achieve revenue of Rs 620-630 crore for fiscal 2025, driven by volumetric growth and stable input prices.

 

Networth stood at Rs 93.9 crore as on March 31, 2024, up from Rs 90.3 crore a year earlier, driven by healthy accretion to reserves. The working capital cycle is managed prudently, with gross current assets (GCAs) of around 78 days as on March 31, 2024 (as against 10 days, a year earlier), backed by quick realisation of receivables and efficient inventory management. GCAs should sustain at 80-90 days over the medium term.

 

These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatility in steel prices and cyclicality in end-user industries.

Key rating drivers & detailed description

Strengths:

  • Extensive experience of the promoters and established relationships with suppliers and customers: The four-decade-long experience of the key promoters in the steel products business, their keen understanding of industry dynamics and healthy relationships with customers, suppliers and over 500 dealers, distributors and stockists, should continue to support the business. The company has achieved operating income of Rs 614 crore in fiscal 2024, backed by its established presence in the domestic market and increase in steel prices. However, expansion in sales volume will be a key rating sensitivity factor over the medium term.

 

  • Above-average financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is supported by a healthy networth of around Rs 93.9 crore and moderate gearing of 0.71 time as on March 31, 2024, aided by steady accretion to reserves. Networth and gearing are expected to be in the range of Rs 98-99 crore and 0.6-0.65 time respectively as on March 31, 2025, driven by healthy accretion to reserves. Debt protection metrics were also adequate, with interest coverage of around 2.4 times and net cash accrual to adjusted debt of 0.14 time in fiscal 2024. The ratios are likely to lie in the range of 2.7-2.8 times and 0.15-0.2 time, respectively, in fiscal 2025, driven by sustained operating profitability. Absence of any major capital expenditure (capex) plans should support the financial risk profile.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Susceptibility to volatility in stainless steel prices and intense competition: The company manufactures thermo-mechanically treated (TMT) steel bars. Steel, a key input, forms more than 90% of the manufacturing cost. Operating profitability may remain constrained due to volatility in steel prices. However, the company can pass on the change in input cost partially to its customers. Operating margin has dropped to 2.38% in fiscal 2024, from 3.15% in fiscal 2023.

 

  • Vulnerability to inherent cyclicality in end-user industries: Demand for products such as TMT bars is linked to capex undertaken by end-user sectors such as real estate, civil construction and engineering, all of which tend to be cyclical. Slowdown in capex in these segments during an economic downturn and gradual recovery thereon will continue to constrain revenue growth.

Liquidity: Adequate

The expected annual cash accrual of Rs 10-11 crore should comfortably cover yearly debt obligation of Rs 3-6 crore over the medium term. Bank limit utilization averaged 91% over the 12 months through June 2024. Current ratio was healthy at 1.9 times as on March 31, 2024. Low gearing and moderate networth provide financial flexibility in case of any adverse conditions or downturn in the business.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL Ratings believes RBL will continue to benefit from its established presence in the steel industry and healthy relationships with customers and suppliers.

Rating sensitivity factors

Upward factors:

  • Sustained growth in revenue and operating margin, leading to a return on capital employed of more than 10%.
  • Bank limit utilization averaging less than 90% with interest coverage of over 3 times

 

Downward factors:

  • Decline in operating income (by over 20% per fiscal) and margin (to less than 2.75%), leading to less-than-expected net cash accrual
  • Substantial debt-funded capex, weakening the financial risk profile.

About the company

Set up by Mr Kamlesh Kumar Rathi in 1993, RBL manufactures reinforcing steel bars under the Rathi and Rathi Thermex brands. The facility is situated in the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Industrial Area in Bhiwadi district. The company is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Operations are managed by Mr Anurag Rathi.

Key financial indicators*

As on / for the period ended March 31

Unit

2024

2023

Operating income

Rs crore

614.28

482.59

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

3.58

2.58

PAT margin

%

0.58

0.54

Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth

Times

0.71

0.8

Interest coverage

Times

2.39

2.82

*CRISIL-adjusted financials

Any other information: Not Applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.

Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)

ISIN Name of the
instrument
Date of
Allotment
Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity
Date
Issue size
(Rs. Crore)
Complexity
Level
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA  Cash Credit  NA  NA  NA  53 NA  CRISIL BBB/Stable 
NA  Term Loan  NA  NA  31-Mar-26 7 NA  CRISIL BBB/Stable 
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2024 (History) 2023  2022  2021  Start of 2021
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 60.0 CRISIL BBB/Stable   -- 21-06-23 CRISIL BBB/Stable 28-03-22 CRISIL BBB/Stable   -- CRISIL BBB/Stable
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Cash Credit 53 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Term Loan 7 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Steel Industry

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