Product Quantum (Rs. Cr) Long Term Rating Short Term Rating
Bank Loan Ratings 19.00 ACUITE A | Stable | Reaffirmed -
Total Outstanding Quantum (Rs. Cr) 19.00 - -
 
Rating Rationale
­Acuité has reaffirmed the long-term rating of ‘ACUITE A’ (read as ACUITE A) to Rs. 19.00 Cr bank facilities of Mahendra Power Private Limited (MPPL). The outlook remains ‘Stable’.

Rating Rationale
The rating takes into cognizance the sound business risk profile of the group buoyed by its improving revenue trend driven by rise in sale volume and average realization of steel products as well as better cost efficiencies. The rating is also supported by the management’s long standing experience and healthy financial position characterized by healthy debt coverage indicators. These strengths are however, partly offset by the intensive working capital management of the group and cyclical nature of the steel industry.

About the Company
­Incorporated in 2008, MPPL is engaged in business of generation of power from biomass based power plant of 10MW of which 8.91MW is supplied through firm power purchase agreement with Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Co. Ltd. (CSPDCL) for a period of 20years. The firm has resumed the operations of the power plant since 2017 and is operating at full capacity. The company is also engaged in the business of trading in imported coal, iron ore.
 
About the Group
­Incorporated in 2002, Chattisgarh based Mahendra Sponge and Power Limited (MSPL) has an integrated steel manufacturing facility. The company is engaged in the business of manufacturing of sponge iron, Billet, re-rolled products like MS Round, MS Square, MS Flat and MS Angles. MSPL also has a captive power plant with a capacity of 8 MW (4 MW Waste Heat recovery based and 4 MW Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustion). The power plant caters to the entire power requirement of the company. In addition to this, MSPL is also engaged in trading of domestic and imported coal and iron ore pellets.

Incorporated in 2002, AIPL is engaged in business of generation of power from biomass based power plant of 10MW of which 8.91MW is supplied through firm power purchase agreement with Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Co. Ltd. (CSPDCL) for a period of 20years. The firm has resumed the operations of the power plant since 2017 and is operating at full capacity. The company is also engaged in the business of trading in imported coal, export of iron ore fines and manufactured steel products.

Incorporated in 1996, Mahendra Strips (MPL) is presently engaged in the business of imported coal. It is focused in procurement and supply of imported coal to various steel and power generation companies. The company was earlier engaged in manufacturing of ingots, and rerolled products like M.S Round, MS Square, MS Flat, MS Angles. The manufacturing unit was later sold.
 
Analytical Approach
­For arriving at this rating, Acuité has consolidated the business and financial risk profiles of  Mahendra Sponge & Power Limited (MSPL), Animesh Ispat Private Limited (AIPL), Mahendra Power Private Limited (MPPL) and Mahendra Strips Private Limited (MPL) together referred to as the ‘Mahendra Group’ (MG). The consolidation is in the view of common management, intercompany holdings, operational linkages between the entities and a similar line of business.
Extent of consolidation: Full.
 

Key Rating Drivers

Strengths
  • ­Established track record of operations and extensive experience of promoters
The Mahendra group has a long track record of over four decades in the iron and steel industry. Acuité believes that the long track record of operations will benefit the company going forward, resulting in steady growth in the scale of operations. The key promoters of the group, Mr. Manoj Kumar Agrawal, Mr. Mahendra Kumar Agrawal and Mr. Deepesh Agrawal, have been associated with the iron & steel industry for two decades. Acuité derives comfort from the long experience of the promoters.
  • Sound business risk profile supported by sharp increase in operating income
The sound business risk profile of the group is supported by the sharp increase in the scale of operations. The revenue of the group increased to Rs.2285.63 Cr in FY2022 as compared to revenues of Rs.1805.58 Cr in FY2021 and Rs.1468.09 Cr in FY2020, thereby registering a 2 year CAGR of 24.77 per cent in this year. Moreover, the group has achieved around Rs. 2543.99 Cr till December 2022(Provisional). The growth in revenue is primarily on account of healthy demand, better market condition, better realization and rise in the trading of iron ore fines sales in the overseas market.

The operating margin of the group increased to 10.05 per cent in FY2022 as compared to 7.25 per cent in FY2021. The PAT margins stood at 5.98 per cent in FY2022 as against 3.59 per cent in FY2021. The improvement in the profitability margin in FY2022 is on account of the exceptional increase in trade of coal, due to the shortage of coal during FY 22, demand for imported coal had increased substantially. The RoCE levels stood at a comfortable level of about 30.30 per cent in FY2022 as against 29.08 per cent in FY2021. However, the operating margin of the group stood at 5.70 per cent in 9M FY23(Provisional)and the PAT margin stood at 2.89 percent in 9M FY23(Provisional). The profitability margin in FY2023 declined due to the increase in trading volume of coal and reduction in trading of iron ore on account of the duty charge levied on iron ore.

Acuité believes that the sustainability in the revenue growth and improvement in the profitability margin would be a key monitorable going forward and also that the diversified product range of the group will help to maintain its business risk profile over the medium term.
  • Stable offtake and locational advantage
AIPL and MPPL both have signed power purchase agreements (PPA) with CSPDCL for 8.91MW for 20 years till 2038. Presently, AIPL is operating at plant load factor (PLF) of 70.18 per cent and MPPL is operating at plant load factor (PLF) of 92.46 per cent. Currently, the cost for supply of contracted energy is Rs.6.76/kWh. Acuité believes that the PPA with CSPDCL with AIPL and MPPL provides comfortable revenue visibility, going forward.

The group has a locational advantage as the plants are located in the industrial area of Raipur, Chattisgarh, which is in close proximity to various steel plants and sources of raw materials. Further the plants are well connected through road and rail transport which facilitates easy transportation of raw materials and finished goods.
  • Healthy financial risk profile
The group’s financial risk profile is marked by strong networth, moderate gearing and healthy debt protection metrics. The tangible net worth of the group increased to Rs.437.85 Cr as on March 31, 2022 from Rs.275.96 Cr as on March 31, 2021 due to accretion of reserves. Acuité has considered unsecured loans of Rs.61.19 Cr as on March 31, 2022, as quasi-equity as the management has undertaken to maintain the amount in the business over the medium term. Gearing of the group stood moderate at 1.11 times as on March 31, 2022 as against 0.94 times as on March 31, 2021. The gearing increased on account of additional export packing credit facility availed by AIPL to meet the high order book. The Total outside Liabilities/Tangible Net Worth (TOL/TNW) stood high at 2.43 times as on March 31, 2022 as against 2.03 times as on March 31, 2021. The healthy debt protection metrics of the group is marked by Interest Coverage Ratio at 5.90 times as on March 31, 2022 and Debt Service Coverage Ratio at 3.52 times as on March 31, 2022. Net Cash Accruals/Total Debt (NCA/TD) stood at 0.31 times as on March 31, 2022. Acuité believes that going forward the financial risk profile of the group will remain healthy over the medium term, despite having debt funded capex plans.

The group has an ongoing capex in MSPL by installing an additional capacity of sponge iron of 650 TPD, Ferro Alloys (9Mva*2), 132 KVA Line and Water Supply line and a power plant of 25MW. The estimated project cost is Rs.325 Cr, against which the sanctioned term loan of bank of Rs.210 Cr and remaining portion from the promoters’ contribution of Rs.115 Cr.The commercial operation date of the project is April 2024.
Weaknesses
  • ­Working capital intensive nature of operations
The working capital intensive nature of operations of the group is marked by high Gross Current Assets (GCA) of 174 days in 31st March 2022 as compared to 106 days in 31st March 2021. The high GCA days are primarily on account of a high proportion of other current assets consisting of other loans and advances. Further, the inventory holding stood moderate at 77 days in 31st March 2022 as compared to 55 days in 31st March 2021.The group maintains inventory due to availability of sufficient raw materials and by virtue of the manufacturing unit being located to the close vicinity of iron-ore mines of Jharkhand and Odisha. However, the debtor period stood comfortable at 21 days in 31st March 2022 as compared to 23 days in 31st March 2021. Acuité believes that the working capital operations of the group will remain at same level as evident from intensive inventory levels over the medium term.
Rating Sensitivities
  • ­Growth in the scale of operations while improving profitability margin
  • Elongation of working capital cycle
  • Timely completion of the ongoing capex
 
Material covenants
­None
 
Liquidity Position
Adequate
­The group’s liquidity is adequate marked by steady net cash accruals of Rs.150.68 Cr as on March 31, 2022 as against long term debt repayment of Rs.13.96 Cr over the same period. The cash and bank balances of the group stood at Rs.96.27 Cr as on March 31, 2022 as compared to Rs.20.26 Cr as on March 31, 2021. The current ratio remains comfortable at similar level of 1.31 times as on March 31, 2022 and as on March 31,2021. The fund based limit remains utilised at 31.50 per cent over the six months ended January, 2023. However, working capital management of the group is marked by high Gross Current Assets (GCA) of 174 days on 31st March 2022 as compared to 106 days on 31st March 2021. Acuité believes that going forward the group will maintain adequate liquidity position due to steady accruals.
 
Outlook: Stable
­Acuité believes that the outlook on Mahendra Group will remain 'Stable' over the medium term on account of the long track record of operations, experienced management, sound business risk profile and healthy financial risk profile. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case of significant growth in revenue while achieving sustained improvement in operating margins, capital structure and working capital management. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to ‘Negative’ in case of decline in the group’s revenues or profit margins, or in case of deterioration in the group’s financial risk profile or further elongation in its working capital cycle.
 
Other Factors affecting Rating
­Not Applicable
 

Particulars Unit FY 22 (Actual) FY 21 (Actual)
Operating Income Rs. Cr. 2285.63 1805.58
PAT Rs. Cr. 136.57 64.85
PAT Margin (%) 5.98 3.59
Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth Times 1.11 0.94
PBDIT/Interest Times 5.90 3.77
Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable)
­Not Applicable
 
Any other information
­Not Applicable
 
Applicable Criteria
• Default Recognition :- https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm
• Trading Entitie: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-61.htm
• Consolidation Of Companies: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-60.htm
• Group And Parent Support: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-47.htm

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument
­In order to inform the investors about complexity of instruments, Acuité has categorized such instruments in three levels: Simple, Complex and Highly Complex. Acuite’ s categorisation of the instruments across the three categories is based on factors like variability of the returns to the investors, uncertainty in cash flow patterns, number of counterparties and general understanding of the instrument by the market. It has to be understood that complexity is different from credit risk and even an instrument categorized as 'Simple' can carry high levels of risk. For more details, please refer Rating Criteria “Complexity Level Of Financial Instruments” on www.acuite.in.
 

Date Name of Instruments/Facilities Term Amount (Rs. Cr) Rating/Outlook
22 Mar 2023 Term Loan Long Term 8.64 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 0.36 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 10.00 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
27 May 2022 Cash Credit Long Term 9.00 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.00 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 0.36 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 8.64 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
07 Mar 2022 Cash Credit Long Term 1.00 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 9.00 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 8.64 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 0.36 ACUITE A | Stable (Reaffirmed)
04 Feb 2022 Cash Credit Long Term 9.00 ACUITE A | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE A- | Stable)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.00 ACUITE A | Stable (Assigned)
Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 0.36 ACUITE A | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE A- | Stable)
Term Loan Long Term 8.64 ACUITE A | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE A- | Stable)
22 Mar 2021 Term Loan Long Term 10.00 ACUITE A- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 3.00 ACUITE A- | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 5.00 ACUITE A- | Stable (Reaffirmed)
09 Feb 2021 Term Loan Long Term 10.00 ACUITE A- | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 5.00 ACUITE A- | Stable (Assigned)
­

Lender’s Name ISIN Facilities Date Of Issuance Coupon Rate Maturity Date Quantum (Rs. Cr.) Complexity Level Rating
Yes Bank Ltd Not Applicable Cash Credit Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable 10.00 Simple ACUITE A | Stable | Reaffirmed
Not Applicable Not Applicable Proposed Long Term Bank Facility Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable 0.36 Simple ACUITE A | Stable | Reaffirmed
Yes Bank Ltd Not Applicable Term Loan Not available Not available Not available 8.64 Simple ACUITE A | Stable | Reaffirmed

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