Rating Rationale
September 22, 2023 | Mumbai
Thermax Babcock and Wilcox Energy Solutions Limited
Ratings reaffirmed at 'CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+'; Rated amount enhanced for Bank Debt
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.2140 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.1640 Crore)
Long Term RatingCRISIL AA+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
Note: None of the Directors on CRISIL Ratings Limited’s Board are members of rating committee and thus do not participate in discussion or assignment of any ratings. The Board of Directors also does not discuss any ratings at its meetings.
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+’ ratings on the bank loan facilities of Thermax Babcock and Wilcox Energy Solutions Ltd (TBWES).

 

The ratings continue to reflect the strong technological, managerial, operational, and financial support TBWES receives from its parent, Thermax Ltd (Thermax; ‘CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+’). The ratings also consider strong financial risk profile, established market position in the boilers segment and diverse revenue profile of the company. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to cyclical vagaries of end-user industries and average operating profitability amid intense competition.

 

Revenue grew ~31% to Rs 2,156 crore in fiscal 2023, led by better order flow across multiple industries. Revenue growth is likely to remain healthy in fiscal 2024 as well, backed by strong order book. Operating margin should remain stable at 8-9% over the medium term.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL Ratings has factored in the business, financial and managerial support that TBWES receives from Thermax.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Strong support from the parent, Thermax: Thermax transferred its flagship boilers and heaters (B&H) business to TBWES in the second half of fiscal 2020. Given that B&H is one of the core product offerings of Thermax, TBWES receives strong support from Thermax in project execution. Financial support may also be forthcoming in case of exigencies.

 

  • Established market position in the boilers segment: The B&H division is one of the flagship offerings of Thermax (which is also the market leader in low- and medium-capacity boilers) with an annual turnover of Rs 1,500-2,200 crore. The B&H division caters to several end-user industries, including power, oil and gas, steel, and cement, providing diverse streams of revenue. The varied product and geographical portfolios of Thermax in the B&H segment should boost the business risk profile of TBWES.

 

  • Healthy financial risk profile: Capital structure of TBWES should remain supported by modest capital expenditure (capex), adequate cash accrual and the absence of any debt obligation over the medium term. Networth stood above Rs 650 crore as on March 31, 2023, with total outside liabilities to tangible networth (TOLTNW) ratio at 1.82 times. Liquidity has been strong at more than Rs 450 crore. Besides, the entire long-term debt on the books of TBWES is from Thermax. 

 

Weaknesses:

  • Exposure to cyclical vagaries of end-user industries: Although order book of over Rs 2,300 crore (as on March 31, 2023) should provide good revenue visibility over the next fiscal, susceptibility to business cycles and overall infrastructure spends of end-user industries may continue to restrict the operating performance. The company is looking at tapping the export market for a more diverse order book profile.

 

  • Modest operating profitability amid intense competition: TBWES is exposed to intense competition, and hence, faces pricing pressure from other large incumbents in the B&H space. Therefore, the operating margin has largely remained 8-9% in the past. The margin is also moderately vulnerable to fluctuations in input prices. Since most orders do not have price escalation clauses, risk of any variation in cost may persist.

Liquidity: Strong

TBWES enjoys strong liquidity, driven by the expectation of ongoing and need-based support from the parent, Thermax. On a standalone basis, liquidity is expected to remain healthy owing to nil debt obligation and cash accrual of Rs 140-150 crore per annum in fiscals 2024 and 2025. Capex may remain nominal and be met entirely through cash accrual. Cash and cash equivalent were over Rs 450 crore as on March 31, 2023, and working capital limit of Rs 140 crore was marginally utilised.

Outlook: Stable

TBWES will continue to derive strong support from Thermax, thereby sustaining its credit risk profile.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward factors:

  • Improvement in the credit risk profile of the parent, Thermax
  • Healthy revenue growth and operating profitability of over 12% on sustained basis
  • Sustenance of strong financial risk profile, with TOLTNW ratio less than 1.2 times and strong liquidity position

 

Downward factors:

  • Deterioration in the credit risk profile of the parent
  • Operating profitability less than 7% either due to cost overruns or weakening of the market position
  • Major, debt-funded capex or acquisition, leading to significant moderation in credit metrics and TOLTNW ratio rising over 2.0 times
  • Change in stance of support from Thermax

About the Company

TBWES was an erstwhile joint venture between Thermax and the US-based Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. The company has a plant in Shirwal, Maharashtra. It manufactures critical boilers for thermal power plants. Thermax acquired 100% stake in TBWES in fiscal 2019, post which TBWES became a fully owned subsidiary of the former. Furthermore, effective from the second half of fiscal 2020, Thermax transferred its B&H division to TBWES to optimally utilise the existing capacities in the latter.

Key Financial Indicators

Particulars (Rs crore)

Unit

2023

2022

Operating income

Rs crore

2156

1628

Profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

92

66

PAT margin

%

4.3

4.1

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

0.19

0.25

Interest coverage

Times

15.25

10.07

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 and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.

Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)

ISIN Name of the
instrument
Date of
Allotment
Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity
Date
Issue size
(Rs. Crore)
Complexity
Level
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Fund-based facilities NA NA NA 140 NA CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA Non-fund-based limit NA NA NA 1975 NA CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed non-fund-based limits NA NA NA 25 NA CRISIL A1+
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2023 (History) 2022  2021  2020  Start of 2020
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 140.0 CRISIL AA+/Stable   -- 23-12-22 CRISIL AA+/Stable 06-04-21 CRISIL AA+/Stable 23-04-20 CRISIL AA+/Stable --
      --   -- 16-12-22 CRISIL AA+/Stable   -- 20-04-20 CRISIL AA+/Stable / CRISIL A1+ --
      --   -- 28-06-22 CRISIL AA+/Stable   --   -- --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 2000.0 CRISIL A1+   -- 23-12-22 CRISIL A1+ 06-04-21 CRISIL A1+ 23-04-20 CRISIL A1+ --
      --   -- 16-12-22 CRISIL A1+   --   -- --
      --   -- 28-06-22 CRISIL A1+   --   -- --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Fund-Based Facilities 25 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited CRISIL AA+/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities 50 ICICI Bank Limited CRISIL AA+/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities 60 Citibank N. A. CRISIL AA+/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities 5 Union Bank of India CRISIL AA+/Stable
Non-Fund Based Limit 250 ICICI Bank Limited CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit 250 Citibank N. A. CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit 500 Citibank N. A. CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit 200 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit 500 ICICI Bank Limited CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit 275 Union Bank of India CRISIL A1+
Proposed Non Fund based limits 25 Not Applicable CRISIL A1+
Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Engineering Sector
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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