Product Quantum (Rs. Cr) Long Term Rating Short Term Rating
Bank Loan Ratings 163.92 ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch -
Bank Loan Ratings 44.50 - ACUITE A3 | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch
Total Outstanding 208.42 - -
Total Withdrawn 0.00 - -
 
Rating Rationale

­Acuite has downgraded its long-term rating to 'ACUITE BBB-' (read as ACUITE triple B minus) from 'ACUITE BBB' (read as ACUITE triple B) and short-term rating to 'ACUITE A3 '(read as ACUITE A three) from 'ACUITE A3+'(read as ACUITE A three plus) on Rs.208.42 Cr. bank facilities of Lokesh Machines Limited (LML). The rating is removed from ‘Under Watch with Negative Implications’. The outlook is 'Stable'.

Rationale for downgrade:

The rating downgrade reflects deterioration in the operating performance since Q3FY2025 and the same has been continued in H1FY2026, due to inclusion of company’s name in the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list by United States Department of Treasury. Further, the scale of operations are likely to remain subdued in the near term, as the proceedings related to removal from US sanctions are under process. The rating remains constrained by intensive nature of its working capital operations and intense competition in the industry.  
Further, the rating considers healthy financial risk profile, the company’s long-term presence in the market for more than two and a half decades, and its established relations with the customers.


About the Company

Incorporated in 1983, LML was promoted by Mr. M. Lokeshwara Rao and Mr. B. Kishore Babu and commenced commercial production in 1986. The company has six manufacturing locations—five in Hyderabad and one in Pune. Its operations are divided into two segments: the machines division and the components division. LML is engaged in the design, development, and manufacturing of custom-built special purpose machines (SPMs), general purpose CNC Machines (GPMs), jigs and fixtures, and machining of automobile cylinder blocks, heads, and connecting rods. The company also produces defense systems and precision engineering components, among others. Additionally, LML undertakes job work primarily for Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (M&M). The company’s shares are listed on both the NSE and BSE.

 
Unsupported Rating
­Not applicable
 
Analytical Approach
­Acuité has considered the standalone business and financial risk profile of LML to arrive at the rating.
 
Key Rating Drivers

Strengths
­Established track record in the machine tools industry and its long-term association with the clientele

The company’s long-standing presence of nearly four decades in the machine tools segment has helped it develop strong expertise in design and manufacturing, enabling it to provide customized machines to customers. Furthermore, the promoters’ four decades of experience in the machine tools industry have contributed to building healthy relationships with customers (automotive original equipment manufacturers) and suppliers, as well as a diversified distribution network, which supports repeat orders to an extent. The company ranks among the top five CNC machine manufacturers in India. Acuité believes that the promoters’ experience, understanding of market dynamics, and established relationships with suppliers and customers will continue to support the business profile over the medium term.

Healthy financial risk profile
The company’s financial risk profile is comfortable marked by healthy net worth, low gearing and moderate debt protection metrics. The net worth of the company stood at Rs.212.36 Cr. and Rs.195.44 Cr. as on March 31, 2025, and 2024 respectively. The improvement in net worth is due to equity infusion. The gearing of the company remained below unity at 0.63 times as on March 31, 2025, against 0.60 times as on March 31, 2024. The debt protection metrics – interest coverage ratio and debt service coverage ratio stood though declined but remain moderate at 1.97 times and 1.14 times as on March 31, 2025, respectively as against 3.66 times and 1.86 times as on March 31, 2024, respectively. Acuité believes that the financial risk profile will remain healthy in the absence of any major debt-funded capital expenditure plan in the near term.


Weaknesses
Decline in scale of operations
The company reported a revenue decline of 22.22 percent in FY2025 i.e., Rs. 293.54 Cr. in FY2024 to Rs. 228.32 Cr. in FY2025, following the inclusion of LML’s name in the OFAC list. This led to disruption in the supply of electronic components from a key supplier, adversely impacting production. Further, in H1 FY2026, the company’s operating revenue moderated to Rs. 98.48 Cr. as against Rs. 137.84 Cr. in H1 FY2025. The company has an unexecuted order book position of Rs.116 Cr. as on October 16th, 2025. The decline in scale of operations, and relatively unchanged fixed costs, led to EBITDA margin decreased from 13.88 percent in FY2024 to 12.51 percent in FY2025, while PAT margin fell sharply from 4.72 percent to 0.24 percent due to higher depreciation and finance costs. Further, Acuite learns from the management that it has taken steps to resolve the issue and expects a favorable outcome in the near term, however, the scale of operations are likely to remain subdued in the near term, as the proceedings are under process. Going ahead, Acuite will continue to monitor the impact of the sanction on the overall financial and business risk profile of the company.

Working capital intensive operations
LML’s working capital operations is intensive marked by high gross current Asset (GCA) at 306 days in FY2025. The GCA days are impacted mainly on account of high inventory days. The inventory levels of the company have been historically high owing to the lengthy order execution cycle, as these are capital goods, a large part of inventory remains under work in progress stage. Inventory days stood at 250 days in FY2025 as against 170 days in FY2024. Debtor day stood moderate at 55 days in FY2025 as against 51 days in FY2024. Acuité believes that the working capital operations of the company will remain intense as evident from its high inventory levels; due to the time taken to execute the orders of machine tools operating cycle takes between 4 to 8 months (SPM is 9 -12 months & GPM is 3-4 months) and for component division the operating cycle is 2 months resulting in the large working capital requirement and staggered deliverables.

Intense competition in industry
LML continues to face stiff competition from domestic players in the standardized machinery segment and from imports in the case of high value-added specialized and customized products, which limits its pricing flexibility and margins to an extent. Further, the company’s margins remain susceptible to fluctuations in raw material prices as its orders are of a fixed price in nature. Its major raw materials include steel and steel components. Furthermore, the revenue profile is also concentrated on the auto segment; the auto industry has been facing headwinds in the recent fiscal and, thereby impacting demand for LML’s products and its profitability. However, going forward, consolidation in the industry and LML’s efforts to diversify its sectoral space are likely to support its revenues.
Rating Sensitivities
  • ­Significant growth in revenue and profitability
  • Further stretch in the working capital cycle leading to an increase in working capital borrowing and weakening of financial risk profile
  • Deterioration in capital structure and other credit metrics due to any large, debt-funded capex/acquisition
 
Liquidity Position
Adequate
LML liquidity is adequate, marked by net cash accruals of Rs.14.41 Cr. in FY2025 against  its maturing debt obligations of Rs. 8.86 Cr. Going forward the company is expected to generate adequate net cash accruals for its maturing debt obligation. The current ratio stood moderate at 1.28 times as on March 31, 2025. Further, the reliance on bank limits utilization stood high at ~92 percent for the fund-based limits and 45 percent for the non-fund-based limits for the past nine months ending in Oct 2025. The company maintains unencumbered cash and bank balances of Rs.0.18 Cr as on March 31, 2025. Acuité believes that the liquidity of the company is likely to improve over the medium term.
 
Outlook: Stable
­
 
Other Factors affecting Rating
­None
 

Particulars Unit FY 25 (Actual) FY 24 (Actual)
Operating Income Rs. Cr. 228.32 293.54
PAT Rs. Cr. 0.54 13.85
PAT Margin (%) 0.24 4.72
Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth Times 0.63 0.60
PBDIT/Interest Times 1.97 3.66
Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable)
­Not applicable
 
Any other information
­None
 
Applicable Criteria
• Default Recognition :- https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm
• Manufacturing Entities: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-59.htm
• Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument

Date Name of Instruments/Facilities Term Amount (Rs. Cr) Rating/Outlook
25 Feb 2025 Letter of Credit Short Term 17.50 ACUITE A3+ (Reaffirmed)
Letter of Credit Short Term 5.75 ACUITE A3+ (Reaffirmed)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 13.50 ACUITE A3+ (Reaffirmed)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 7.75 ACUITE A3+ (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 23.00 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 11.42 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Long Term Loan Long Term 0.47 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Cash Credit Long Term 10.00 ACUITE BBB (Assigned)
Term Loan Long Term 26.00 ACUITE BBB (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 55.00 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.79 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 2.92 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 10.75 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 0.51 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 0.67 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 13.25 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 0.66 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 0.94 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 6.54 ACUITE BBB (Reaffirmed)
07 Dec 2023 Letter of Credit Short Term 17.50 ACUITE A3+ (Reaffirmed)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 13.50 ACUITE A3+ (Reaffirmed)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 7.75 ACUITE A3+ (Reaffirmed)
Letter of Credit Short Term 5.75 ACUITE A3+ (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 45.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 4.18 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 3.81 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 10.75 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.14 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 0.95 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 13.25 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.36 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.13 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 7.66 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 25.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 4.69 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 8.81 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Assigned)
Proposed Long Term Loan Long Term 0.19 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Assigned)
24 Nov 2023 Letter of Credit Short Term 17.50 ACUITE A3+ (Upgraded from ACUITE A3)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 13.50 ACUITE A3+ (Upgraded from ACUITE A3)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 7.75 ACUITE A3+ (Upgraded from ACUITE A3)
Letter of Credit Short Term 5.75 ACUITE A3+ (Upgraded from ACUITE A3)
Cash Credit Long Term 45.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 4.18 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 3.81 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Cash Credit Long Term 10.75 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.14 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 0.95 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Cash Credit Long Term 13.25 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.36 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.13 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Term Loan Long Term 7.66 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Term Loan Long Term 25.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
Term Loan Long Term 4.69 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BBB- | Stable)
02 Sep 2022 Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 4.00 ACUITE A3 (Reaffirmed)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 2.25 ACUITE A3 (Reaffirmed)
Letter of Credit Short Term 3.25 ACUITE A3 (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Bank Guarantee Short Term 9.50 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Proposed Bank Guarantee Short Term 5.50 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Proposed Letter of Credit Short Term 7.50 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Proposed Letter of Credit Short Term 2.50 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Stand By Line of Credit Short Term 2.00 ACUITE A3 (Reaffirmed)
Letter of Credit Short Term 10.00 ACUITE A3 (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 6.42 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 0.43 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 9.25 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.69 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 0.95 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 11.50 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 2.02 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 1.12 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Dropline Overdraft Long Term 8.62 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 25.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 37.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Cash Credit Long Term 6.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Proposed Cash Credit Long Term 1.50 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Proposed Cash Credit Long Term 1.50 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Covid Emergency Line. Long Term 3.38 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Proposed Long Term Bank Facility Long Term 0.54 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
04 Feb 2022 Stand By Line of Credit Short Term 1.00 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Stand By Line of Credit Short Term 1.00 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 1.00 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 3.00 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Letter of Credit Short Term 1.00 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Letter of Credit Short Term 9.00 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 2.00 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 0.25 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Letter of Credit Short Term 2.00 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Letter of Credit Short Term 1.25 ACUITE A3 (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 36.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 6.90 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.25 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 8.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.05 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.50 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 10.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.25 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Dropline Overdraft Long Term 1.00 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
Dropline Overdraft Long Term 8.05 ACUITE BBB- | Stable (Assigned)
­

Lender’s Name ISIN Facilities Date Of Issuance Coupon Rate Maturity Date Quantum
(Rs. Cr.)
Complexity Level Rating
State Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Bank Guarantee (BLR) Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 13.50 Simple ACUITE A3 | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE A3+ )
Punjab National Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Bank Guarantee (BLR) Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 7.75 Simple ACUITE A3 | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE A3+ )
Punjab National Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Cash Credit Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 10.75 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
State Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Cash Credit Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 55.00 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
INDUSIND BANK LIMITED Not avl. / Not appl. Cash Credit Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 23.25 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
INDUSIND BANK LIMITED Not avl. / Not appl. Covid Emergency Line. 22 Apr 2022 Not avl. / Not appl. 26 Mar 2026 0.28 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
INDUSIND BANK LIMITED Not avl. / Not appl. Covid Emergency Line. 22 Apr 2024 Not avl. / Not appl. 26 Mar 2028 0.75 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
State Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Covid Emergency Line. 22 Jan 2022 Not avl. / Not appl. 26 Dec 2025 0.52 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
State Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Covid Emergency Line. 22 Feb 2024 Not avl. / Not appl. 22 Jan 2028 2.28 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
Punjab National Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Covid Emergency Line. 22 Apr 2022 Not avl. / Not appl. 26 Mar 2026 0.19 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
Punjab National Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Covid Emergency Line. 22 Apr 2023 Not avl. / Not appl. 25 Mar 2027 0.51 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
Punjab National Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Letter of Credit Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 5.75 Simple ACUITE A3 | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE A3+ )
State Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Letter of Credit Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 17.50 Simple ACUITE A3 | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE A3+ )
Not Applicable Not avl. / Not appl. Proposed Long Term Loan Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 17.34 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
State Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Term Loan 01 Dec 2024 Not avl. / Not appl. 01 Mar 2032 15.56 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
Punjab National Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Term Loan 23 Jan 2023 Not avl. / Not appl. 23 Dec 2031 5.90 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
State Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Term Loan 23 Sep 2023 Not avl. / Not appl. 01 Mar 2030 20.94 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
Punjab National Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Term Loan 23 Sep 2023 Not avl. / Not appl. 23 Jun 2032 10.65 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Downgraded | Removed from Rating Watch ( from ACUITE BBB )
­

Contacts

About Acuité Ratings & Research

© Acuité Ratings & Research Limited. All Rights Reserved.www.acuite.in