Rating Rationale
September 26, 2022 | Mumbai
Suraj Limited
Rating Reaffirmed; Short term rating Withdrawn
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.59.44 Crore (Reduced from Rs.77 Crore)
Long Term RatingCRISIL BBB-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A3 (Withdrawn)
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has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL BBB-/Stable’ rating on the long-term bank facilities of Suraj Limited (Suraj) and has withdrawn the rating on the short term proposed bank limits at the request of the company.

 

The rating continues to reflect the extensive experience of the promoters of Suraj in the stainless-steel pipes industry, its healthy scale of operation and above average capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by moderate profitability, average debt protection measures, large working capital requirement and exposure to intense competition.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL Ratings has considered the standalone business and financial risk profiles of Suraj.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Extensive experience of the promoters: The promoters experience of over three decades in the stainless-steel pipes industry, their in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the market and established relationships with suppliers and customers should continue to support the business.

 

  • Healthy scale of operation: Scale remains moderate with revenue of Rs 348 crore in fiscal 2022, which increased from Rs 189 crore the previous fiscal due to improved demand for the company’s products in the domestic as well as export markets. Exports also increased to 75% from 68% for the same period. Revenue remained healthy at Rs 83 crore during the first three months of fiscal 2023.

 

  • Above average capital structure: Networth and total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio were comfortable at Rs 92.17 crore and 0.71 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2022. The moderate networth has enabled a controlled leverage for the company despite the large working capital requirement. Capital structure is expected to remain moderate despite buyback of shares undertaken by the company in fiscal 2023.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Moderate profitability: Operating margin declined to 5.01% in fiscal 2022 from 9.14% the previous fiscal due to increase in the prices of key raw materials and transportation costs, which the company was not able to fully pass on to its customers amidst largely fixed orders. However, increase in revenue resulted in stable cash accrual for the year. Operating margin has improved to 7.20% during the first three months of fiscal 2023 resulting in enhanced cash accrual.

 

  • Average debt protection measures: Interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios were average at 3.12 times and 0.29 time, respectively, for fiscal 2022. Moderate operating margin with high borrowing costs and working capital intensity restrains the debt protection measures.

 

  • Large working capital requirements: Gross current assets were sizeable at 114 days as on March 31, 2022 (226 days a year earlier) driven by moderate debtor and inventory levels. Due to business requirement, Suraj has large work-in-process and finished inventory. Further, moderate credit needs to be extended to customers. Working capital intensity resulted in a modest return on capital employed (RoCE) of 7.47% in fiscal 2022.

 

  • Exposure to intense competition: Intense competition in the stainless-steel industry, low product differentiation and high price sensitivity means that the company is a price taker in the market.

Liquidity: Adequate

Expected cash accrual of Rs 11-13 crore per annum over the medium term should comfortably cover yearly debt obligation of Rs 2.0-2.4 crore as well as buyback requirements and support liquidity. Bank limit utilisation was moderate at 82%, on average, for the 12 months through August 2022. Comfortable networth ensures that liquidity is adequate despite large working capital requirement. The current ratio was healthy at 2 times as on March 31, 2022.

Outlook: Stable

Suraj will continue to benefit from the extensive experience of its promoters and established relationships with clients.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward factors

  • Sustained revenue growth and improvement in operating margin (of over 8%) leading to higher cash accrual
  • Significant improvement in RoCE

 

Downward factors

  • Pressure on topline or decline in operating profitability (by over 200 basis points) on a sustained basis
  • Large capital expenditure or substantial increase in working capital requirements weakening the liquidity and financial risk profiles

About the Company

Suraj manufactures stainless steel seamless pipes, tubes and U tubes, flanges and fittings with electro-polishing. Its plant is located at Thol, Mehsana in Gujarat. Mr Ashok Shah, Mr Gunvant Shah and Mr Kunal Shah are the promoters.

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2022

2021

Operating income

Rs crore

348.76

189.30

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

3.00

1.37

PAT margin

%

0.86

0.73

Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth

Times

0.38

0.63

Interest coverage

Times

3.12

2.01

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. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' 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 crore)

Complexity level

Rating assigned 

with outlook

NA

Cash Credit

NA

NA

NA

50.00

NA

CRISIL BBB-/Stable

NA

Working Capital Term Loan

NA

NA

May-26

9.44

NA

CRISIL BBB-/Stable

NA

Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits

NA

NA

NA

17.56

NA

Withdrawn

1 crore = 10 million

Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2022 (History) 2021  2020  2019  Start of 2019
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 77.0 CRISIL BBB-/Stable 31-05-22 CRISIL BBB-/Stable / CRISIL A3 26-03-21 CRISIL BBB-/Stable   --   -- --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST   --   -- 26-03-21 CRISIL A3   --   -- --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Cash Credit 50 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 17.56 Not Applicable Withdrawn
Working Capital Term Loan 9.44 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL BBB-/Stable

This Annexure has been updated on 26-Sep-2022 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 2-Aug-2021 received from the rated entity

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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