Rating Rationale
May 21, 2020 | Mumbai
Vardhman Special Steels Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.546.52 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA/Negative (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.150 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AA/Negative/'CRISIL A1+' ratings on the bank facilities and debt programmes of Vardhman Special Steels Limited (VSSL).

CRISIL had on December 10, 2019 revised its rating outlook on the long-term bank facilities of VSSL to 'Negative' from 'Stable' while reaffirming the rating at 'CRISIL AA'; the short-term rating had been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1+'.

Operating performance is likely to be impacted in fiscal 2021 as Covid-19 pandemic is expected to impact the demand from auto industry, which contributes to around 80% of the VSSL's revenue. CRISIL expects, revenues to be lower by 20-22% in fiscal 2021 in line with the fall in the demand. Accordingly the operating profitability is also expected to be lower in fiscal 2021 as compared to 5.8% estimated for fiscal 2020.

However the liquidity remains comfortable at Rs 130 crore at April end (Rs 50 crore in the form of cash & equivalents while Rs 80 crore in unutilized bank lines). The debt repayments remain modest at around Rs 8 crore this fiscal. The operations also have been resumed on 22nd April, albeit at reduced capacity. That said, the extent of impact due to pandemic and ability of the business to revert to operational stability will remain a monitorable.

Earlier in fiscal 2020, the company posted revenue de-growth of 24% contributed 15% by volumes and remaining by realisations owing to adverse market conditions in the automobile industry in the fiscal, while operating profitability stood at ~ 5.8% in fiscal 2020 as against 6.1% in fiscal 2019. The capex for fiscal 2021 is expected to be low at Rs 4-5 crore and the debt levels are expected at around Rs 220 crore by end of fiscal 2021 as compared to Rs 267 crore in March 2020 mainly due to reduction in stock and debtors. However owing to lower operating profitability, the debt protection metrics are expected to moderate.

In August 2019, VSSL entered into a technical assistance agreement with Aichi Steel Corporation, Japan (ASC, a Toyota Group Associate) which also acquired 11.46% in VSSL for Rs 50 crore. The tie up is intended to reduce operational costs, improve the product quality and improve process efficiencies through technical know-how of Aichi. Also VSSL will benefit from access to the clientele of ASC. The equity infusion of Rs 50 crore has also improved the financial risk profile of the company.

The ratings of VSSL continue to reflect managerial and financial support from the largest shareholder, Vardhman Textiles Ltd (VTXL; rated 'CRISIL AA+/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+') and Vardhman Group. The ratings also factor in a moderate business risk profile, supported by considerable backward integration. These rating strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to cyclicality in end-user industries and an average financial risk profile.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has applied its parent notch-up framework to factor in the extent of support from VTXL as the company will enjoy operational, financial, and managerial support from VTXL due to 59% shareholding of Vardhman group and past track record of support.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Managerial and financial support from VTXL
VSSL, prior to its demerger from VTXL, was the steel division of the latter. Operations continue to be largely controlled by the management of VTXL even after the demerger. That's because around 59% of the equity shares are owned by VTXL, its promoters, and other promoter-holding/investment companies, while the rest is owned by the public. VSSL receives managerial, and financial support from VTXL, uses the Vardhman group logo, and has common banking and treasury operations with VTXL. Furthermore, management has articulated need-based financial support to the company whenever required. Any major change in the shareholding will be key rating sensitivity factor.

* Moderate business risk profile
Market position is supported by a strong customer base, including automotive original equipment manufacturers and other established players in the engineering segment. In-house manufacturing of ingots and billets, along with ability to pass on price increases, resulted in moderate operating efficiency. The management's focus on the steel business, high capacity utilisation (around 90%), and considerable backward integration (around 90%) should drive growth in operating income and improve the business risk profile over the medium term.

Weaknesses
* Susceptibility to cyclicality in end-user industries
The company is a small player in the alloy steel industry, with only about 3% of the total capacity in India. Its products are used in the automotive, tractor, bearings, engineering, and allied industries; it is dependent on companies in the automotive sector for over 85% of revenue. This dependence subjects the company to risks related to cyclicality in the automotive segment as witnessed during the recent years of economic slowdown. Further, vulnerability to fluctuations in input prices persists.

* Average financial risk profile
The interest coverage ratio is estimated at 2.3 times in fiscal 2020 (3.1 time in 2019). The gearing while remains high, is expected to improve to 0.7 times as on March 31, 2020 as against 0.9 times as on March 31, 2019. Improvement in gearing is on account of equity infusion of Rs 50 crore by ASC in fiscal 2020. While the operating margin gradually improved over the years to 6.1% in fiscal 2019 from 2.4% in fiscal 2015 due to improving process efficiencies and increasing capacity utilizations. As there are no major capex plans over medium term at present, the debt levels are expected to remain stable.
Liquidity Strong

VSSL has adequate liquidity driven by expected cash accruals of Rs 20-30 crore per annum over medium term. The company has a working capital limits of Rs 200 crore which was utilized at around 65% for three months ended 30th April 2020, providing unutilized limits of around Rs 80 crore as on April end. VSSL also maintains further Rs 50 crore in the form cash and equivalents. The company has long term repayment obligations around Rs 8 crore in current fiscal. Presently the company has no major capex plan and focus is on increasing existing capacity utilization. Any capex in future will be jointly done with ASC.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes the operating performance will recover in line with the recovery in end user industry, while managerial and financial support from VTXL should continue. The tie-up with ASC is also expected to support business and financial risk profile.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
* Sustained and significant improvement in operating performance such as operating margin remains consistently above 7-8% and
* Improvement in capital structure such that, gearing is reduced below 0.20 times.


Downward Factors
* Weakening of the capital structure such as gearing is increased beyond 1 times and deterioration in debt protection metrics on sustainable basis for instance, interest cover remaining below 2.25 times on consistent basis or
* Operating margin remaining below 5% on consistent basis or
* Reduction in support from, or downward rating action on, VTXL.

About the Company

The Vardhman group ventured into the steel business in 1972 by setting up Oswal Steels to manufacture special and alloy steels, with initial capacity of 0.5 lakh tpa. In 1986, the firm acquired a plant in Ludhiana, Punjab, and its capacity was increased to 1 lakh TPA. Oswal Steels became a division of VTXL in 1992. VTXL demerged its steel division as VSSL effective January 1, 2011. VSSL has capacity to manufacture 1.8 lakh TPA of steel billets and 2.1 lakh tpa of steel rolled products. Its manufacturing unit is equipped with a 30-tonne ultra-high-power electric arc furnace with an electro-magnetic stirrer, a vacuum degassing system, and a bloom caster.

For the nine months ended 31st December 2019, VSSL posted revenue of Rs 641 crore and operating profit of Rs 24 crore as against Rs 878 crore and Rs. 57 crore respectively for similar period in corresponding year.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs.Crore 1121 869
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 22 25
PAT Margin % 2.0 2.9
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.92 0.67
Interest coverage ratio Times 2.95 3.09

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.Crore)
Rating Assigned
with Outlook
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 150 CRISIL A1+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 200 CRISIL AA/Negative
NA Corporate Loan NA NA Mar-26 59 CRISIL AA/Negative
NA Corporate Loan NA NA Dec-23 68.85 CRISIL AA/Negative
NA Letter of credit &
Bank Guarantee
NA NA NA 175 CRISIL A1+
NA Term Loan NA NA Mar-26 13.6 CRISIL AA/Negative
NA Proposed Term Loan NA NA NA 30.07 CRISIL AA/Negative
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  150.00  CRISIL A1+      10-12-19  CRISIL A1+  28-12-18  CRISIL A1+    --  -- 
                26-06-18  CRISIL A1+       
                16-02-18  CRISIL A1+       
Short Term Debt (Including Commercial Paper)  ST                  29-06-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                    09-03-17  CRISIL A1+   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  371.52  CRISIL AA/Negative      10-12-19  CRISIL AA/Negative  28-12-18  CRISIL AA/Stable  29-06-17  CRISIL AA-/Positive  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
                26-06-18  CRISIL AA/Stable  09-03-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable   
                16-02-18  CRISIL AA-/Positive       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  175.00  CRISIL A1+      10-12-19  CRISIL A1+  28-12-18  CRISIL A1+  29-06-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                26-06-18  CRISIL A1+  09-03-17  CRISIL A1+   
                16-02-18  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
Cash Credit 200 CRISIL AA/Negative Cash Credit 200 CRISIL AA/Negative
Corporate Loan 127.85 CRISIL AA/Negative Corporate Loan 127.85 CRISIL AA/Negative
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 175 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 175 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Term Loan 30.07 CRISIL AA/Negative Proposed Term Loan 30.07 CRISIL AA/Negative
Term Loan 13.6 CRISIL AA/Negative Term Loan 13.6 CRISIL AA/Negative
Total 546.52 -- Total 546.52 --
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 Steel Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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