Rating Rationale
March 05, 2019 | Mumbai
Techno Electric And Engineering Company Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1480 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Positive (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.50 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 ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper programme of Techno Electric And Engineering Company Limited (TEECL) at 'CRISIL AA-/Positive/CRISIL A1+'.
 
The rating continues to reflect TEECL's established market position in executing substation-based engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects, strong operational efficiency, and robust financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competitive pressure, and stretched working capital cycle. The strengths are partially offset by risks associated with wind assets, such as an adverse change in regulations, and variability in wind speed and pattern.
 
Order-to-sales ratio was adequate at 1.5 times as of December 31, 2018. Orders may grow three times over the next few months, as tenders of Rs 25,000 crore are expected to be in the offering. Furthermore, investments towards inter-regional transmission capacity additions, and strengthening of inter-regional and inter-state transmission systems as well as ultra-high-capacity green-energy corridors may increase opportunities in the EPC market.
 
Operating income is expected to be 10% lower in fiscal 2019, compared with the previous year. OPBDIT (operating profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes) should, however, remain stable. Profitability has improved due to execution of high-margin orders. Working capital intensity has marginally increased, with gross current assets stretching to 332 days as on September 30, 2018, from 243 days as on March 31, 2018. The increase was partially due to rise in debtors both in the EPC and wind business, and secured loans & advances of Rs 150 crore (current outstanding Rs.100 crore). Recovery of these outstanding loans & advances and of investments into IL&FS group entities will continue to be monitored.
 
Post completion of a reverse merger with Simran Wind Project Ltd (Simran), and despite buyback of Rs 110 crore, financial risk profile continues to be robust, owing to low debt, an asset-light EPC model, and the absence of any major capital expenditure plans. Surplus free cash flows are likely to be invested in synergistic opportunities in the power transmission sector and returned to shareholders in form of buybacks. Liquidity may remain ample, driven by annual cash accrual of over Rs 200 crore over the medium term.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has considered a standalone approach to arrive at the ratings of TEECL. The associate companies - namely Jhajjar KT Transco Ltd (Jhajjar; 49% stake), Patran Transmission Co Ltd (Patran [now sold; earlier 49% stake]), and Kohima Marini Transmission Ltd (Kohima; 26% stake - which hold transmission projects, have still not been consolidated. This is because TEECL has less than 50% stake in the entities, and has not guaranteed their debt, which TEECL is likely to stick to over the medium term. Moreover, equity contribution towards Jhajjar is unlikely as the project is operational. CRISIL has factored in investments TEECL is to make towards 1-2 power transmission projects till fiscal 2022. Investment of Rs 75-85 crore is to be undertaken in Kohima between fiscals 2019 and 2021. Any change in the management's policy regarding support to the associates will be a key rating sensitivity factor.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position in the EPC business in the power sector: TEECL has been in the business for around 30 years, and has set up around 50% of the high voltage substations in India. It has developed competency in executing around eight packages of the addressable 17 packages usually contracted in the Balance of Plant (BoP) segment. Clients include Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (Power Grid; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), NTPC Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and state transmission companies, which account for the bulk of capital expenditure in the power transmission sector in the country. With strong technical capabilities, the company has a leading market position in executing 765 kilovolt (KV) extra high voltage (EHV) substation projects and a track record of efficient execution, as reflected in its higher-than-industry operating margin. As on December 31, 2018, TEECL had unexecuted orders of Rs 1,802 crore.

* High operating efficiency: Operating efficiency is driven by strong technical capabilities, with value-added nature of projects, selective bidding strategy of high-margin orders, and demonstrated track record of timely execution of orders. Return on capital employed (RoCE) has remained high at 20-25% in the past couple of years, driven by the asset-light EPC business. RoCE in the EPC business has remained over 50%. Operating margin in the EPC segment was around 19% in the nine months through December 2018, and is better than most peers. The performance is expected to sustain over the medium term.

* Robust financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is strong, supported by solid capital structure and debt protection metrics, and should remain so over the medium term because TEECL is likely to be debt-free by October 2019. Networth was large and gearing low at Rs 1,343 crore and 0.04 time, respectively, as on September 30, 2018. Debt protection metrics were robust, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of over 20 times and around 5 times, respectively, in the first half of fiscal 2019.

Weaknesses
* Exposure to intense competitive pressure: Competition is intense in the power transmission and distribution (T&D) business due to low entry barriers. The power sector faces structural issues, too. Susceptibility to the risk of slower project execution, on account of several macroeconomic factors, also persists. Competitive pressure and lower orders had constrained profitability of the EPC segment in fiscals 2013 and 2014, and again in 2017 and 2018. However, this risk is partly offset by the high technical capabilities and market position of the company in the EHV substation-based projects.

* Stretched working capital cycle: Operations are working capital intensive and should remain so over the medium term, owing to the inherent nature of the EPC business and long project execution cycle (of 2-3 years). Debtors have been sizeable in both EPC and wind segments. In the wind business, payments were delayed by TANGEDCO. Overall, gross current assets increased to 332 days as on September 30, 2019, from 206 days as on the corresponding date the previous fiscal. Advances received from customers relieves some of the pressure on working capital.
Liquidity

Liquidity is strong driven by sale of 46% stake in the Patran transmission asset to India Grid Trust for Rs 232 crore. Cash accrual of more than Rs 200 crore should be more than sufficient to cover maturing debt in fiscal 2020. Cash and cash equivalents (including investments in bonds, non-convertible debentures, and mutual funds) were Rs 365 crore as on September 30, 2018. Although, the company has announced share buyback of Rs 110 crore, liquidity should remain adequate, supported by the management's intent to sell the remaining wind assets and transmission assets over the medium to long term. Surplus liquidity may be used for synergistic opportunities in the transmission sector, rather than in asset-intensive generation projects.

Outlook: Positive

CRISIL believes TEECL's operating performance may improve over the medium term with superior execution track record and favourable industry scenario in the T&D industry, supporting growth in the size of orders.

Upside scenario
* Sustained increase in revenue and stable profitability strengthening financial risk profile
* Improvement in wind plant load factors, or further sale of wind assets and faster realisation of receivables, ensuring better working capital management and cash flow

Downside scenario
* Lower-than-expected cash accrual because of low profitability in the EPC business or reduced wind power generation
* Stretch in working capital cycle due to delay in realisation of receivables.

About the Company

TEECL, headquartered in Kolkata, is promoted by Mr P P Gupta, who is assisted by a team of professionals. It undertakes turnkey EPC projects, predominantly in the power sector, across generation, transmission, and distribution segments. In fiscal 2015, the company received the 'Best Safety Award' from Power Grid. TEECL entered the renewable power generation space in 2009 with 45 megawatt (MW) of wind energy assets by acquiring Super Wind. It acquired Simran Wind Project Ltd (Simran) in 2009, which had installed capacity of 50.45 MW that was subsequently scaled up to 162.35 MW. The company divested 44.45 MW and 33 MW of capacity to Simran in May 2015 and January 2017, respectively. TEECL got its current name post its merger with Simran.
 
For the nine months through December 2018, profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 151 crore over total income of Rs 838 crore. For the six months through September 2018, PAT was Rs 120 crore over total income Rs 555 crore, compared with Rs 130 crore and Rs 689 crore, respectively, in the corresponding period the previous year.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2018 2017
Operating Income Rs Crores 1,283 1,330
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Crores 200 190
PAT Margins % 15.6 14.3
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.05 0.31
Interest coverage Times 13.42 9.40

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 to 365 Days 50 CRISIL A1+
NA Fund based facilities NA NA NA 41 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Fund based facilities* NA NA NA 160 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Non-Fund Based Limit^ NA NA NA 164 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Non-Fund Based Limit% NA NA NA 50 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Non-Fund Based Limit# NA NA NA 60 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Non-Fund Based Limit$ NA NA NA 160 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Non-Fund Based Limit NA NA NA 260 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Non-Fund Based Limit NA NA NA 500 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 85 CRISIL AA-/Positive
*Fully interchangeable with non-fund based limits
#Includes sub-limit of Rs.5 crore for fund-based facilities
$Includes sub-limit of Rs.85 crore for fund-based facilities
^Fully interchangeable with fund-based facilities
%Includes sub-limit of Rs.10 crore for fund-based facilities
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  50.00  CRISIL A1+      05-03-18  CRISIL A1+  12-07-17  CRISIL A1+  30-11-16  CRISIL A1+  -- 
                27-02-17  CRISIL A1+       
                10-02-17  CRISIL A1+       
Non Convertible Debentures  LT    --    --  05-03-18  Withdrawal  12-07-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable  30-11-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
                27-02-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable       
                10-02-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable       
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  286.00  CRISIL AA-/Positive      05-03-18  CRISIL AA-/Positive  12-07-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable  30-11-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
                27-02-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable       
                10-02-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1194.00  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ CRISIL A1+      05-03-18  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ CRISIL A1+  12-07-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  30-11-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
                27-02-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+       
                10-02-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+       
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Fund-Based Facilities 41 CRISIL AA-/Positive Fund-Based Facilities 41 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Fund-Based Facilities* 160 CRISIL AA-/Positive Fund-Based Facilities* 160 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Non-Fund Based Limit^ 164 CRISIL AA-/Positive Non-Fund Based Limit^ 164 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Non-Fund Based Limit% 50 CRISIL AA-/Positive Non-Fund Based Limit% 50 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Non-Fund Based Limit# 60 CRISIL AA-/Positive Non-Fund Based Limit# 60 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Non-Fund Based Limit$ 160 CRISIL AA-/Positive Non-Fund Based Limit$ 160 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Non-Fund Based Limit 260 CRISIL AA-/Positive Non-Fund Based Limit 260 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Non-Fund Based Limit 500 CRISIL A1+ Non-Fund Based Limit 500 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 85 CRISIL AA-/Positive Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 85 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Total 1480 -- Total 1480 --
*Fully interchangeable with non-fund based limits
#Includes sub-limit of Rs.5 crore for fund-based facilities
$Includes sub-limit of Rs.85 crore for fund-based facilities
^Fully interchangeable with fund-based facilities
%Includes sub-limit of Rs.10 crore for fund-based facilities
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 Engineering Sector
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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