Rating Rationale
September 07, 2017 | Mumbai
SPEL Semiconductor Limited
Ratings upgraded to 'CRISIL C/CRISIL A4'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.75 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL C (Upgraded from 'CRISIL D')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4 (Upgraded from 'CRISIL D')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of SPEL Semiconductor Ltd (SPEL; part of the SPEL group) to 'CRISIL C/CRISIL A4' from 'CRISIL D/CRISIL D'.

The rating upgrade reflects improvement in the group's operating performance in fiscal 2017, after a subdued performance in fiscal 2016, when labour strikes had resulted in delayed execution of orders. Operating loss reduced to 1.7% in fiscal 2017 from 37% the previous fiscal.  Competitive pressure, especially from South East Asian players, however, continues to be intense.

The ratings also reflect SPEL's modest scale and susceptibility to pricing pressure. These rating weaknesses are partially offset by the long-standing presence in the integrated circuit (IC) segment.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of SPEL and its wholly owned subsidiary, SPEL America Inc, USA, together referred to as the SPEL group. 

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Weakness
* Modest scale and susceptibility to pricing pressure in the intensely competitive global semiconductor industry - Despite the group being one of the few IC assembly and testing entities in India, the global semiconductor subcontracting industry is marked by the presence of several large players based out of China, Korea, and Malaysia.These players with integrated operations have better control on their raw material prices and greater ability to absorb fluctuations in input costs rendering pricing flexibility. Modest scale will continue to limit SPEL's advantages of economies of scale.
  
Strengths
* Longstanding presence in IC segment backed by experienced and qualified management: The SPEL group has been in the semiconductor industry for more than three decades and is one of the few IC assembly and testing entities in India; it executes subcontracts for big players such as Pericom and California Micro Devices Corporation (CMD). The operations are professionally managed, thereby enabling the group get certified by its end users such as Samsung, Canon, IBM, among others and supply ICs to them directly. Benefits from the established market position and experienced and qualified management are expected to continue even over the medium term.
About the Group

Set up by Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Ltd in 1984 in Chennai, SPEL assembles, tests, and packs ICs. Its products are used mostly in cell phones, computers, notebooks, and personal digital assistants. The company's wholly owned subsidiary in the US, SPEL America, commenced operations in 2005-06 (refers to financial year, April 1 to March 31) mainly to support SPEL's marketing activities and to expand its clientele.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs. Cr. 36  26 
Profit After Tax Rs. Cr. -9  -20 
PAT Margins % -24 -77
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.6  0.4
Interest coverage Times 8.1  -2.9

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 Letter of Credit NA NA NA 4 CRISIL A4
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 11 CRISIL A4
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 45 CRISIL C
NA Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 15 CRISIL A4
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2017 (History) 2016  2015  2014  Start of 2014
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  71  CRISIL C/ CRISIL A4    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  04-11-15  CRISIL D/ CRISIL D    No Rating Change  CRISIL BB+/Stable/ CRISIL A4+ 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  CRISIL A4    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  04-11-15  CRISIL D    No Rating Change  CRISIL A4+ 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Letter of Credit 4 CRISIL A4 Letter of Credit 4 CRISIL D
Packing Credit 11 CRISIL A4 Packing Credit 11 CRISIL D
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 45 CRISIL C Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 45 CRISIL D
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 15 CRISIL A4 Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 15 CRISIL D
Total 75 -- Total 75 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Criteria for rating Short-Term Debt (including Commercial Paper)

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