Rating Rationale
March 06, 2018 | Mumbai
Thejo Engineering Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.100 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.90 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long-term bank facilities of Thejo Engineering Limited (TEL) to 'Positive' from 'Stable' while reaffirming the rating at 'CRISIL BBB'. The rating on the short term bank facilities have been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A3+'.
 
The outlook revision reflects CRISIL's belief that TEL's business risk profile will improve over the medium term supported by ramp up in operations in overseas subsidiaries, improving contributions from new products and steady revenue visibility in existing business segments. Further the rating action also factors in expectations of TEL's financial risk profile to remain healthy on the back of higher cash accruals and moderate capital expenditure (capex).
 
TEL's revenues are expected to register a 6-8% annual growth over the medium term largely driven by improving sales in Middle East and Australia through new orders/clients, steady O&M revenues from the domestic market and contributions from new products. In the first six months of fiscal 2018, TEL's aggregate revenues grew by 23% backed by strong growth in overseas subsidiaries (67% year-on-year growth) whereas revenues from India grew by about 14% during the same period. TEL's subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia and Australia, which broke even last fiscal, achieved double digit margins in the first six months of current fiscal; operating profitability at consolidated level improved to an estimated 11.3% in the first six months of fiscal 2018 as compared to 8.1% in fiscal 2016. Going forward, margins are expected to be healthy at over 11% leading to higher cash accruals in excess of Rs 12 crore per annum. This coupled with moderate capex plans of around Rs 3 crore per annum will enable TEL to maintain a comfortable gearing at less than 0.60 times, while debt protection metrics are expected to improve further over the medium term.
 
The ratings continue to reflect TEL's established position in the materials handling segment, diverse revenue profile and adequate financial risk profile. These rating strengths are partially offset by TEL's moderate scale of operations, susceptibility to risks related to cyclical demand in end-user segments, and working-capital-intensive operations.

Analytical Approach

To arrive at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of TEL and its subsidiaries, Thejo Hatcon Industrial Services LLC, Saudi Arabia (Thejo Hatcon), Thejo Australia Pty Ltd (Thejo Australia), Thejo Brasil Comercio E Servicos Ltda, Brazil (Thejo Brazil) and Thejo Engineering Latinoamerica SpA, Chile (Thejo Chile). This is because all these entities, have strong operational linkages and fungible cash flows.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established position and diversified revenue profile
The company is among a handful of recognized players in the organized services segment in India and has a leading market position in the domestic conveyor services market. Further, having started as a 100% services company, TEL has gradually diversified its revenue profile by expanding into the sale of related products. Currently, the conveyor services segment contributes around 63% of TEL's revenues and the products segment accounts for the remaining 37%. Diversity is further supported by export presence both directly and through its subsidiaries; exports account for 8% of sales
 
* Adequate financial risk profile
TEL's financial risk profile is marked by healthy capital structure and adequate debt protection metrics. TEL's gearing is estimated to improve to less than 0.60 times as on March 31, 2018 from 0.8 times as on March 31, 2017 due to improvement in networth as the subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia and Australia are contributing positively. Debt protection metrics are also adequate, with interest coverage and net cash accruals to total debt ratios estimated at more than 3 times and over 0.3 times, respectively, in fiscal 2018. Credit metrics are expected to improve further given the expectation of improving cash generation and lower capex spend.
 
Weaknesses:
* Moderate scale of operations and cyclicality in end user segments
Although TEL is an established player in its niche product segments, the company is still a moderate player as compared with larger players in the overall engineering segment, including McNally Bharat Engineering Company Ltd and Elecon Engineering Company, which offer a broader range of services.
 
Further, the end users for TEL's products and services are present in cyclical industries, thereby exposing itself to risk of sluggish demand during an economic slowdown, particularly if the clients defer capex or scale down production. Additionally, since the clients are large players, the company's bargaining power and ability to collect receivables on time may be affected in times of uncertain economic environment.
 
* Working capital intensive operations
TEL's working capital requirements are large marked by high gross current assets (GCA), at around 200 days, primarily driven by debtors of around 110 days given the company's presence in engineering industry and exposure to large clients, including government-owned entities. Consequently over 80% of outstanding debt pertains to short term borrowing. However this is partly offset by availability of healthy credit from suppliers. Nevertheless given then inherent working capital intensity, prudent management of the same will remain critical.
Outlook: Positive

CRISIL believes that TEL will benefit over the medium term from steady order flow from domestic customers and expanding presence in overseas markets, and stable margin. The company is likely to maintain comfortable capital structure and debt protection metrics, in the absence of any significant debt-funded capex. The ratings may be upgraded in case of higher than expected revenues and margins driven by healthy growth in subsidiaries' contributions and strong order visibility in domestic markets, while maintaining financial risk profile. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Stable' in case of a significant decline in revenue and profitability; or any significant debt-funded capex or stretch in working capital weakening its financial risk profile.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1986, the Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based TEL provides installation and operations and maintenance (O&M) services for conveyor belt systems as well as design, manufacture, and supply of a wide variety of rubber and polyurethane products for belt cleaning, spillage control, enhanced flow of material, impact and abrasion protection, screening, and rubber and polyurethane linings. In India, TEL has five manufacturing units (all located near Chennai), 11 branch offices, and 36 site offices located across 14 states.
 
Outside India, it operates in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brazil and Chile through its subsidiaries. TEL holds 51% equity stake in Thejo Hatcon, with the balance 49% being held by Bahrain-based Hatcon Industrial Services WLL. TEL holds 74% equity stake in Thejo Australia with Japan-based Bridgestone Corporation (a global tyre and rubber company), through its subsidiary (Bridgestone Earth Movers Tyres Pty Ltd, Australia), holding the balance 26% equity stake.  Thejo Brazil and Thejo Chile, in which TEL holds 99.99% and 99.73% were set up in September 2014 and November 2014 respectively and have begun operations in fiscal 2016. Thejo Brazil and Thejo Chile are primarily engaged in selling bulk material handling products.
 
TEL is promoted by Mr. K J Joseph and Mr. Thomas John, who started the company initially to provide servicing operations to conveyor belt systems. The promoters' sons also hold board and key management positions in the company. Since 2008, the overall management of TEL is being led by a professional managing director, Mr. V A George, who has experience of over 30 years in corporate and banking sectors.

For the first six months of fiscal 2018, on a consolidated basis, TEL reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 6.3 Cr on operating income of Rs. 112 Cr, as against a PAT of Rs. 1.9 Cr on operating income of Rs. 91 Cr during the previous corresponding period.

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs crore 178 160
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 6 -1
PAT margin % 3.5 -0.5
Adjusted debt/ adjusted networth Times 0.73 0.87
Interest coverage Times 3.55 2.19
 

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 crore) Rating assigned with outlook
NA Bank Guarantee* NA NA NA 17.5 CRISIL A3+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 45.75 CRISIL BBB/Positive
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 12.5 CRISIL A3+
NA Standby Letter of Credit NA NA NA 13.0 CRISIL A3+
NA Foreign Currency Term Loan NA NA 01-Apr-2019 3.80 CRISIL BBB/Positive
NA Long term loan NA NA 31-Oct-2021 3.08 CRISIL BBB/Positive
NA Long term loan NA NA 30-Nov-2021 2.00 CRISIL BBB/Positive
NA Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 2.37 CRISIL A3+
*Interchangeable with letter of credit
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  57  CRISIL BBB/Positive/ CRISIL A3+    No Rating Change  10-08-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable  05-05-16  CRISIL BBB/Negative    No Rating Change  CRISIL BBB/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  43  CRISIL A3+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A3+ 
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
Bank Guarantee* 17.5 CRISIL A3+ Bank Guarantee* 16.75 CRISIL A3+
Cash Credit 45.75 CRISIL BBB/Positive Cash Credit 41.26 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Foreign Currency Term Loan 3.8 CRISIL BBB/Positive Foreign Currency Term Loan 5.06 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Letter of Credit 12.5 CRISIL A3+ Letter of Credit 12.5 CRISIL A3+
Long Term Loan 5.08 CRISIL BBB/Positive Long Term Loan 3.65 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 2.37 CRISIL A3+ Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 10.78 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Standby Letter of Credit 13 CRISIL A3+ -- 0 --
Total 100 -- Total 90 --
*Interchangeable with letter of 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
Rating Criteria for Engineering Sector
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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