Rating Rationale
April 09, 2019 | Mumbai
Vihaan Networks Limited
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BBB-/Negative/CRISIL A3', removed from 'Watch Negative'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.275 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Negative (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BBB+'; Removed from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3 (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A2'; Removed from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its ratings on the bank facilities of Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL) from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications' and downgraded the ratings to 'CRISIL BBB-/CRISIL A3' from 'CRISIL BBB+/CRISIL A2' and assigned a 'Negative' outlook to the long-term rating.
 
The ratings were placed on watch on January 4, 2019, because of the delay in offtake by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) for the project awarded to VNL for setting up 1,893 mobile towers in north-eastern India. BSNL accounts for 90% of VNL's revenue and the delay in order execution was due to delay in clearances by the project sponsor, Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF).
 
The watch resolution and rating action reflects VNL's weaker-than-expected performance and increased pressure on its business risk profile and liquidity due to delay in payment and offtake by BSNL. Operating revenue for fiscal 2019 is estimated at Rs 285 crore against expectation of Rs 480 crore. Receivables increased to 230 days as of January 2019 from 163 days as on March 31, 2018. The company has substantial receivables of more than 6 months. The delay in payment increased dependence on external bank lines and average bank limit utilisation increased to 86% in the 6 months through February 2019 from 42% earlier.
 
The company has orders of Rs 689 crore which include orders of Rs 580 crore from BSNL. Its business risk profile will remain under pressure over the medium term due to high dependence on BSNL.
 
The ratings continue to reflect VNL's established market position in the telecommunications (telecom) infrastructure industry, diversified product profile, and above-average financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by large working capital requirement, customer concentration in revenue, and exposure to the risk of technological obsolescence.

Analytical Approach

Unsecured loans of Rs 248 crore, extended by VNL's promoters, have been treated as 75% equity and 25% debt. The loans are subordinated to bank debt, and are non-interest-bearing, and expected to remain in the business over the medium term.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position: VNL undertakes government projects to boost telecom services in the remote and backward areas of India, which include the north-eastern states and Left-wing extremist (LWE) areas. Over the years, the company has been receiving repeat orders, being one of two players offering such niche services, and has diversified its market reach through integration.
 
* Highly integrated and diversified product profile leading to a moderate operating margin: The company has a strong advantage over its competitors, as its operations and products are fully integrated and compliant with set standards such as base transceiver system (BTS), transcoding rate adaption unit (TRAU), base station controller (BSC), and operation maintenance centre (OMC). End-to-end infrastructure solutions, provided through various work processes, help cut cost. It also benefits from operations and maintenance (O&M) at project site and a diversified product portfolio. Employee expense of Rs 24.74 crore for fiscal 2018, considered as asset under development cost, has been regarded as a revenue expense. This led to a moderate operating margin of 12.4% in fiscal 2018.
 
* Above-average financial risk profile: The financial risk profile is supported by strong networth and moderate gearing of Rs 278 crore and 0.52 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2019. Networth has been arrived at, after knocking off Rs 182.57 crore of investment in subsidiaries, treating unsecured loans as 75% equity, and considering half of the intangible assets under development worth Rs 285 crore as part of tangible assets. Debt protection metrics were above average, indicated by interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios of 2.4 times and 0.20 time, respectively, in fiscal 2018.
 
Weaknesses:
* Customer concentration in revenue: Bulk of revenue is from tender-based orders from BSNL, which pays for the orders as per fixed time- and performance-based mechanisms, and receives the funds from USOF, Department of Telecommunications, the Government of India. Dependence on BSNL projects leads to customer concentration. This risk is mitigated by the funding of the projects by USOF, resulting in limited counterparty risk.
 
* Exposure to the risk of technological obsolescence: VNL is in the telecom infrastructure business, which is dynamic with steady innovation in products and services. As a result, the company's products are prone to technological obsolescence. However, this risk is mitigated and controlled through constant investment in research and development.
 
* Working capital-intensive operations: Gross current assets were high at 278 days, driven by large receivables of 163 days and inventory of 73 days, as on March 31, 2018. The receivables increased as of January 2019, and include substantial receivables of more than 6 months.
Liquidity

Liquidity has been hit by a stretch in working capital cycle. Delay in payment by BSNL has increased dependence on external bank lines, and average bank limit utilisation increased to 86% in the 6 months through February 2019 from 42% earlier. Accrual is estimated at Rs 74.7 crore for fiscal 2019 against no debt obligation and capex plan. Liquidity is supported by funds from the promoters.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes VNL's revenue and profitability will remain constrained by delay in execution due to lower offtake from BSNL. The ratings may be downgraded if a further drop in offtake by BSNL constrains growth in revenue and profitability, and along with stretch in working capital cycle, weakens the financial risk profile and liquidity. The outlook may be revised to 'Stable' if improved offtake by BSNL leads to growth in revenue and margin, and hence, better cash accrual.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1999, VNL (earlier, Shyam VNL Ltd) manufactures and markets telecom equipment for mobile operators, with a focus on rural markets. The company offers World GSM, a solar-powered mobile network for delivering mobile services to rural markets.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 217.8 304.7
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 0.90 16.74
PAT Margin % 0.41 5.491
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.36 0.42
Interest coverage Times 2.4 2.2

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 125.0 CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Inland/import Letter of Credit NA NA NA 130.0
 
CRISIL A3
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 20.0 CRISIL A3
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  125.00  CRISIL BBB-/Negative  04-01-19  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Negative  11-09-18  CRISIL BBB+/Negative  08-07-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable    --  -- 
                30-06-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  150.00  CRISIL A3  04-01-19  CRISIL A2/Watch Negative  11-09-18  CRISIL A2  08-07-17  CRISIL A2    --  -- 
                30-06-17  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
Bank Guarantee 20 CRISIL A3 Bank Guarantee 20 CRISIL A2/Watch Negative
Cash Credit 125 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Cash Credit 125 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Negative
Inland/Import Letter of Credit 130 CRISIL A3 Inland/Import Letter of Credit 130 CRISIL A2/Watch Negative
Total 275 -- Total 275 --
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 Mobile Telephony Services
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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