Rating Rationale
September 21, 2018 | Mumbai
Triton Valves Limited
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.100 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL's ratings on the bank facilities of Triton Valves Limited (Triton) reflect CRISIL's belief that Trion's business risk profile will continue to benefit over the medium term from  its established relationship with most of the major tyre manufacturers and automobile original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) leading to steady revenue growth. However, operating margin which moderated to 12.1% in fiscal 2018 from 13.4% in fiscal 2017, is expected to remain under moderate pressure over the near term as well given the rising input cost and limited pricing flexibility. However as prices are passed on with a lag, profitability should improve from third quarter of fiscal 2019 and profitability to improve to ~11% in fiscal 2020. The financial risk profile is also expected to remain adequate supported by moderate capex plans which will be largely funded through internal accruals with limited dependence on debt.

The rating continue to reflect Triton's established market position in the domestic automobile tube valves and cores segment, and its adequate financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by the company's moderate scale of operations, and the susceptibility of its operating profitability to volatility in commodity prices and fluctuation in foreign exchange rates.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position in valves and cores used for automotive tyre tubes: Triton is the leader in the domestic automotive tube valves and cores segment with 75% market share.  The company supplies to almost all key tyre manufacturers in India, including Madras Rubber Factory Ltd (MRF), Apollo Tyres Ltd (rated 'CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, and Ceat Ltd. Key customers account for around 85% of the organised segment of the domestic tyres and tubes market, and Triton caters to tube types across all vehicle categories manufactured in India. This will help the company post steady revenue growth of 6-7% CAGR over the medium term.

* Adequate financial risk profile: Networth is moderate at around Rs 70 crore as on March 31, 2018. Gearing which improved to 0.8 time (after reducing intangibles of Rs. 1 Cr from net worth) as on March 31, 2018, is expected to remain below 1 time over the medium term, while interest cover and net cash accruals to total debt is expected to remain adequate despite the moderate capex plans.

Weaknesses
* Susceptibility of operating margin to volatility in commodity prices, and fluctuations in foreign exchange (forex) rates: The price of brass (a key raw material accounting for 75-80% of raw material costs) is prone to fluctuations as it is inherently linked to the international demand and supply scenario. Furthermore, a depreciating rupee will expose the company to considerable forex risk as it imports around 80% of input requirement but has no significant exports to act as a natural hedge. Though Triton passes on a large proportion of increases in input prices to customers at periodic intervals, it has to absorb a portion of the increased cost, which might impact its operating margin and hence render it volatile. For instance, continuous increase in brass prices from second half of fiscal 2018 along with adverse forex movements, have led to operating margins declining to less than 9% in the second half of fiscal 2018 compared to 13.4% in fiscal 2017.

* Moderate scale of operations: Despite being the market leader and operating for over three decades, the scale of operations remains moderate. The key limitations being a single product company and the moderate size of the organised segment of the market for valves and cores, estimated at Rs 250-300 crore in fiscal 2018. Manufacturers of these products remain exposed to the threat of new entrants or the possibility of large tyre manufacturers catering to all or a portion of their valve requirements in-house. Besides, a moderate scale of operations and networth constrain the ability to withstand business or cyclical pressures.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that Triton will continue to benefit from its established relationship with tyre manufacturers and steady demand prospects. Besides steady accruals, moderate capex plans and access to timely promoter support in case of financial exigencies will continue to benefit financial risk profile and liquidity. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if Triton's revenues and profitability improves significantly, leading to a substantial increase in cash accrual while maintaining comfortable key credit metrics. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of steep and continued deterioration in operating performance, or larger than expected debt-funded capex, or stretch in working capital requirements, weakening the company's financial risk profile.

About the Company

Triton, incorporated in 1976, manufactures valves and cores that are used in automobile tyre tubes. The company was set up by Mr M V Gokarn and is currently managed by his son Mr. Aditya Gokarn as the Managing Director. The promoters hold 50.2% equity in the company. Triton supplies to almost all major tyre manufacturers in India, and has maintained its leadership position for over a decade.

In the three months ended June 30, 2018, net profit was Rs 0.6 crore on net sales of Rs 61 crore, vis-a-vis Rs 1.3 crore and Rs 48 crore (after adjusting for excise duty of Rs. 5.7 crore), respectively, in the previous corresponding period.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 221 187
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 7 8
PAT Margin % 3.0 4.4
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.79 0.84
PBDIT/Interest and Finance Charges Times 5.13 5.09

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 Cash Credit NA NA NA 42 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 35 CRISIL A2
NA Long-Term Loan NA NA Jan-2022 9.9 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
NA Long-Term Loan NA NA Dec-2023 4.8 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
NA Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits NA NA NA 1.31 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
NA Proposed Term Loan NA NA NA 6.99 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
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  65.00  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  30-08-18  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  14-11-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  18-11-16  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  26-10-15  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  CRISIL BBB/Stable 
            03-01-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  35.00  CRISIL A2  30-08-18  CRISIL A2  14-11-17  CRISIL A2  18-11-16  CRISIL A2  26-10-15  CRISIL A2  CRISIL A3+ 
            03-01-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable/ CRISIL A2           
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
Cash Credit 42 CRISIL BBB+/Stable Cash Credit 42 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Letter of Credit 35 CRISIL A2 Letter of Credit 35 CRISIL A2
Long Term Loan 14.7 CRISIL BBB+/Stable Long Term Loan 16.69 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 1.31 CRISIL BBB+/Stable Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 1.31 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Proposed Term Loan 6.99 CRISIL BBB+/Stable Proposed Term Loan 5 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Total 100 -- Total 100 --
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 Auto Component Suppliers
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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