Rating Rationale
October 24, 2018 | Mumbai
Tata Ceramics Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.28.7 Crore (Reduced from Rs.41.5 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3' ratings on the bank facilities of Tata Ceramics Limited (TCL). CRISIL has withdrawn its ratings on bank facilities of Rs.12.8 crore at the company's request and based on the revised sanctions from the banks. The rating action is in line with CRISIL's policy on withdrawal of its ratings on bank facilities.

The ratings continue to reflect the strong support that the company receives from, and the financial flexibility it derives from being a part of, the Tata group. The ratings also factor its longstanding customer relationships supported by good product quality. These strengths are partially offset by weak financial risk profile, because of high gearing and inadequate debt protection metrics, susceptibility to increase in raw material prices, and large working capital requirement.

The Tata group intends to sell its stake in TCL and is in discussion with potential buyers. The group is expected to continue to extend support to TCL as long as it holds shares in TCL. The Tata Power Co Ltd (Tata Power; 'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), through its wholly owned subsidiary, has undertaken to provide need-based interim financial support to TCL. Therefore, TCL's credit risk profile will remain contingent on the support from the Tata group, contours of the deal, and credit profile as well as the strategic intent of the new buyer towards TCL. CRISIL will continue to closely monitor developments and their impact on the ratings on the bank facilities of TCL.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Benefits derived from being a Tata group company
The Tata group holds 88.5% stake in TCL'Tata International Ltd holds the largest stake of 40.5%, followed by Tata Power and its subsidiaries with 30.7% stake. The Tata group companies have extended financial, managerial, and operational support to TCL. In fiscal 2014, TCL issued preference shares of Rs 12 crore to the Tata group companies. Furthermore, the Tata group has infused Rs 1.83 crore into TCL through inter-corporate deposits and shareholders loans in fiscal 2019. Moreover, Tata Power through its wholly owned subsidiary has undertaken to provide interim financial support to TCL if required. Mr Sanjay Bhandarkar, an independent director on the board of Tata Power, is the chairman of TCL. The Tata group is in discussions for sale of its stake in TCL. However, CRISIL believes the Tata group will continue to extend support as long as it holds shares in TCL.

* Longstanding customer relationships, supported by good product quality
TCL manufactures bone china crockery of superior quality. Over more than two decades, it has established a healthy customer base, supported by its good product quality. Its clientele includes Rashtrapati Bhavan, all Indian embassies overseas, and leading hotels such as Taj and ITC. TCL has also been supplying to global brands such as Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, and Churchill. The company has been dealing with these customers for several years, and has established itself as an important player in the value chain.

Weaknesses
* Limited revenue growth and low profitability, combined with susceptibility to volatility in input prices
Revenue declined because of poor domestic sales on account of factors such as implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) leading to decline in overall revenues. Further the decline in revenue coupled with increase in material costs resulted in net loss of Rs 4.6 crore in fiscal 2018 (net loss of Rs 3.6 crore in fiscal 2017). The operating performance is expected to remain subdued over the medium term. Furthermore, TCL imports its entire calcined bone ash requirement from one supplier in the UK through annual contracts. While TCL enters into volume-based contracts with the supplier, increase in raw material price cannot be completely passed on to customers.

* Weak financial risk profile and large working capital requirement
TCL's financial risk profile is constrained by high gearing and inadequate debt protection metrics because of sizeable working capital debt. Net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios were at -0.21 time and -0.96 time, respectively, for fiscal 2018. Further, TCL had high working capital intensity, marked by gross current assets of 190 days as on March 31, 2018, because of considerable inventory (166 days) to meet customer demand on time.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes TCL will continue to receive strong financial support from the Tata group.

Upside scenario:
* Significant improvement in financial risk profile, driven by sustained increase in revenue and profitability

Downside scenario:
* Weakening of financial risk profile because of larger-than-expected, debt-funded capital expenditure or subdued operating performance
* Reduction in stake of the Tata group entities, or change in stance of support from the Tata group.

About the Company

TCL was set up in 1991 by the erstwhile Tata Oil Mills Company Ltd (merged with Hindustan Lever Ltd) and Kerala Ceramics Ltd in 1991. TCL has a 100% export-oriented unit in Cochin Special Economic Zone for manufacturing tableware and crockery mixed with bone china. Apart from domestic sales, the company exports mainly to the EU. 

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs Cr 43 45
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr -4.6 -3.6
PAT Margin % -10.8 -7.9
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 18.14 2.81
Interest coverage Times  -0.96 -0.08

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 Export packing credit* NA NA NA 18.50 CRISIL A3
NA Letter of credit NA NA NA 3.50 CRISIL A3
NA Non-fund-based limit NA NA NA 1.70 CRISIL A3
NA Rupee term loan NA NA Mar-22 5.00 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
*Includes post-shipment finance of up to Rs 2.5 crore (sanctioned as sublimit of export packing credit)
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  23.50  CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3      26-07-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3*  09-02-16  CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3      CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3 
            30-05-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable/ CRISIL A3           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  5.20  CRISIL A3      26-07-17  CRISIL A3* 09-02-16  CRISIL A3      CRISIL A3 
            30-05-17  CRISIL A3           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Revised from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3' to 'CRISIL D' and simultaneously upgraded to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable/CRISIL A3'
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee .5 Withdrawn Bank Guarantee .5 CRISIL A3
Export Packing Credit* 18.5 CRISIL A3 Export Packing Credit 18.5 CRISIL A3
Letter of Credit 3.5 CRISIL A3 Letter of Credit 4.5 CRISIL A3
Letter of Credit 1 Withdrawn Non-Fund Based Limit 13 CRISIL A3
Non-Fund Based Limit 1.7 CRISIL A3 Rupee Term Loan 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Non-Fund Based Limit 11.3 Withdrawn -- 0 --
Rupee Term Loan 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable -- 0 --
Total 41.5 -- Total 41.5 --
*Includes post-shipment finance of up to Rs 2.5 crore (sanctioned as sublimit of export packing credit)
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
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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

Sachin Gupta
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3023
Sachin.Gupta@crisil.com


Nitesh Jain
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3329
nitesh.jain@crisil.com


Sani Vishe
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 4094
Sani.Vishe@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.

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