Rating Rationale
August 17, 2018 | Mumbai
UltraTech Cement Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.12157.74 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.360 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.250 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.200 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.175 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.300 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.500 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.650 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.300 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.250 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Withdrawn)
Rs.200 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Withdrawn)
Rs.3125 Crore Short Term Non Convertible Debenture CRISIL A1+ (Withdrawn)
Rs.3500 Crore Commercial Paper Programme (Enhanced from Rs.2500 Crore) CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the debt programmes and bank facilities of UltraTech Cement Ltd (UltraTech). CRISIL has withdrawn its ratings on the Rs 450 crore non-convertible debentures (NCDs) and Rs 3125 crore short-term NCDs at the company's request as the instruments have been repaid in full. This is in line with CRISIL's policy on withdrawal of ratings. The ratings continue to reflect UltraTech's strong business risk profile, driven by its established position in the Indian cement business, with a strong focus on operating efficiency. These rating strengths are partially offset by cyclicality in the cement industry.
 
On May 20, 2018, the boards of UltraTech and Century Textiles and Industries Ltd (Century; 'CRISIL AA/Watch Developing/CRISIL A1+') approved the scheme of arrangements for the acquisition of Century's cement business of 13.4 million tonne per annum (mtpa), including 11.4-mtpa integrated capacity and 2-mtpa grinding unit. The deal is valued at a total enterprise value of about Rs 8620 crore. As part of the scheme, the existing cement business of Century will be demerged from it and merged into UltraTech. The shareholders of Century will receive one equity share of UltraTech for every eight equity shares held in Century. Also, Rs 3000 crore of Century's debt will be taken over by UltraTech.
 
The proposed acquisition, if it goes through, will strengthen UltraTech's market position in the high-growth eastern market, and deepen its presence in existing markets. UltraTech, with its strong track record, operational synergies, and superior brand presence will be able to ramp up cash flow from the acquired business, which will help reduce debt swiftly.
 
The transaction is subject to receipt of the necessary statutory and regulatory approvals, including those of the National Company Law Tribunal, stock exchanges, Securities Exchange Board of India, Competition Commission of India, and the shareholders and creditors of each company, and is expected to be completed in 6-9 months.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of UltraTech and its subsidiaries, as all the entities, collectively referred to as UltraTech, operate in the cement and related space, and have significant operational linkages and a common management.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established position in the Indian cement business with strong focus on operating efficiency
UltraTech is India's largest cement manufacturer with a capacity market share of 23% (105.9 mtpa capacity in India, including proposed acquisition and expansion), superior operating efficiency driven by strong consumption norms, efficient logistics through a pan-India presence, and captive power capabilities.
 
* Financial risk profile to improve over the medium term
Though the debt-funded acquisition of the cement capacity of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) and its subsidiary has moderated UltraTech's financial risk profile, expected improvement in the profitability of JAL and the management's intention of reducing debt by using surplus cash will correct the leverage. The gross debt and net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBIDTA) ratios are expected at 2.5 times and 2 times, respectively, by March 31, 2019.
 
Furthermore, if the proposed acquisition goes through, the incidence of Rs 3000 debt will only marginally moderate the financial risk profile as the addition of the assets will be EBITDA accretive from day one. The debt from Century may likely come at the start of fiscal 2020. The debt to EBITDA ratio is likely to be less than 2.5 times by March 2020. The extent of improvement in consolidated profit and debt reduction will be key monitorables.
 
Financial flexibility is also strong, backed by healthy liquidity of over Rs 5450 crore as on March 31, 2018. Longstanding relationships with banks and strong business positioning allows UltraTech to favourably refinance acquisition debt at low interest cost.
 
Weakness
* Susceptibility to risks relating to input cost, realisations, and cyclicality in the cement industry
Capacity addition in the cement industry tends to be sporadic because of the long gestation period in setting up a facility and the large number of players adding capacity during the peak of a cycle. This has led to unfavourable price cycles for the sector in the past. Moreover, profitability remains susceptible to volatility in the prices of inputs, including raw material, power, fuel, and freight. Increase in pet coke prices over the past year has impacted profitability of several players. Realisations and profitability are also affected by demand, supply, sales, and other regional factors.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes UltraTech will continue to benefit from its healthy market position, geographically diverse presence in India, and high financial flexibility.
 
Downside scenario
* Lower-than-expected ramp-up in cash accrual due to non-sustenance of performance
* Higher-than-expected debt because of any sizeable acquisition or capital expenditure, or delay in reducing debt through surplus cash.

About the Company

UltraTech was formed in 2004 following the acquisition of the cement business of Larsen and Toubro Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+') by Grasim Industries Ltd (Grasim; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'). As on March 31, 2018, Grasim (the flagship company of the Aditya Birla group) held 60.21% equity stake in UltraTech, the other promoter group held 1.77%, and financial institutions and the public held the rest. Through UltraTech Cement Middle East Investments Ltd, UltraTech has capacity of 4 mtpa across the UAE, Bahrain, and Bangladesh.
 
If the acquisition of Century's cement business goes through, UltraTech's total capacity in India is likely to expand to over 105.9 mtpa including ongoing expansion. Century's assets are in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.

 

Key Financial Indicators**
As on/for the period ended March 31  2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 31,139 25,215
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 1,924 2,587
PAT margin % 6.2 10.3
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth Times 0.87 0.37
Interest coverage Times 4.74 7.42
**The above reflect consolidated ' CRISIL adjusted financials. 

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
INE481G07190 Debentures 22-Aug-16 7.53% 21-Aug-26 500 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G08032 Debentures 25-Nov-16 6.93% 25-Nov-21 250 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G08024 Debentures 24-Nov-16 6.99% 24-Nov-21 400 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G07208 Debentures 18-Oct-16 7.15% 18-Oct-21 300 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G07182 Debentures 08-Aug-16 7.57% 06-Aug-21 250 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G08057 Debentures 03-Aug-18 8.36% 07-Jun-21 360 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G07166 Debentures 27-Jul-16 7.57% 13-Aug-19 300 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G07174 Debentures 08-Aug-16 7.57% 08-Aug-19 175 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G07158 Debentures 08-Dec-15 7.85% 18-Dec-18 200 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE481G07141 Debentures 21-Apr-15 7.84% 09-Apr-18 200 Withdrawn
INE481G07109 Debentures 28-Aug-12 9.15% 28-Aug-17 250 Withdrawn
INE481G08040 Short-term non-convertible
debentures
29-Jun-17 6.37% 29-Sep-17 3125 Withdrawn
NA Commercial paper NA NA 7-365 days 3500 CRISIL A1+
NA Rupee Term Loan 1 NA NA Sep-42 592.37 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Rupee Term Loan 2 NA NA Sep-42 2664.71 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Rupee Term Loan 3 NA NA Sep-42 3317.92 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Rupee Term Loan 4 NA NA Sep-42 1614 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Rupee Term Loan 5 NA NA Sep-42 2000 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Rupee Term Loan 6 NA NA Nov-23 300 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Proposed Rupee Term Loan NA NA NA 283.85 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA External Commercial
Borrowings 1
NA NA Oct-18 162.94 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA External Commercial
Borrowings 2
NA NA May-21 338.45 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA External Commercial
Borrowings 3
NA NA Jun-21 311.3 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA External Commercial
Borrowings 4
NA NA Feb-19 246.32 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA External Commercial
Borrowings 5
NA NA Mar-23 65.18 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA External Commercial
Borrowings 6
NA NA Feb-23 130.35 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA External Commercial
Borrowings 7
NA NA Feb-23 130.35 CRISIL AAA/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
Commercial Paper  ST  3500.00  CRISIL A1+  31-07-18  CRISIL A1+  31-07-17  CRISIL A1+  29-12-16  CRISIL A1+  02-12-15  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
        23-05-18  CRISIL A1+  27-06-17  CRISIL A1+  17-11-16  CRISIL A1+  29-07-15  CRISIL A1+   
            27-03-17  CRISIL A1+  21-10-16  CRISIL A1+  16-04-15  CRISIL A1+   
                10-10-16  CRISIL A1+  21-01-15  CRISIL A1+   
                02-09-16  CRISIL A1+       
                17-08-16  CRISIL A1+       
                03-08-16  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing       
                21-07-16  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing       
                18-07-16  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing       
                04-03-16  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing       
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  2735.00
17-08-18 
CRISIL AAA/Stable  31-07-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  31-07-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  29-12-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  02-12-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
        23-05-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  27-06-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  17-11-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  29-07-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
            27-03-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  21-10-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  16-04-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
                10-10-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing  21-01-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
                02-09-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                17-08-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                03-08-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                21-07-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                18-07-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                04-03-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
Short Term Non Convertible Debenture  ST  0.00
17-08-18 
Withdrawal  31-07-18  CRISIL A1+  31-07-17  CRISIL A1+    --    --  -- 
        23-05-18  CRISIL A1+  27-06-17  CRISIL A1+           
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  12157.74  CRISIL AAA/Stable  31-07-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  31-07-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  29-12-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  02-12-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
        23-05-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  27-06-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  17-11-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  29-07-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
            27-03-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  21-10-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  16-04-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
                10-10-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing  21-01-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
                02-09-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                17-08-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                03-08-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                21-07-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                18-07-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
                04-03-16  CRISIL AAA/Watch Developing       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST          27-06-17  CRISIL A1+  29-12-16  CRISIL A1+  02-12-15  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            27-03-17  CRISIL A1+  17-11-16  CRISIL A1+  29-07-15  CRISIL A1+   
                21-10-16  CRISIL A1+  16-04-15  CRISIL A1+   
                10-10-16  CRISIL A1+  21-01-15  CRISIL A1+   
                02-09-16  CRISIL A1+       
                17-08-16  CRISIL A1+       
                03-08-16  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing       
                21-07-16  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing       
                18-07-16  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing       
                04-03-16  CRISIL A1+/Watch Developing       
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
External Commercial Borrowings 1384.89 CRISIL AAA/Stable External Commercial Borrowings 1568.74 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Rupee Term Loan 283.85 CRISIL AAA/Stable Rupee Term Loan 10589 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Rupee Term Loan 10489 CRISIL AAA/Stable -- 0 --
Total 12157.74 -- Total 12157.74 --
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 Cement Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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