Product Quantum (Rs. Cr) Long Term Rating Short Term Rating
Bank Loan Ratings 46.22 ACUITE BB | Stable | Reaffirmed -
Bank Loan Ratings 3.00 - ACUITE A4+ | Reaffirmed
Total Outstanding 49.22 - -
 
Rating Rationale

­Acuité has reaffirmed its long-term rating of ‘ACUITE BB’ (read as ACUITE double B) and its short-term rating of 'ACUITE A4+' (read as ACUITE A four plus) on the Rs.49.22 Cr. bank facilities of Recon Technologies Private Limited (RTPL). The outlook is ‘Stable’.

Rationale for Rating
The reaffirmation in rating reflects stable operating and financial performance of the company. The operating revenue stood at Rs.257.34 Cr. in FY23 as against Rs.206.73 Cr. in FY22. The improvement in revenues is driven by higher volume sales of traded goods of the company i.e., Tata Hitachi excavators owing to increase in construction activities. However, the company recorded slight decline in revenues which stood at Rs. ~Rs.251 Cr. in FY2024 as compared to FY2023 on account of on-going elections in the state of Telangana, due to which many contracts were put on hold. Further, the operating profit margin of the company improved and stood at 3.22 percent in FY2023 as compared to 3.05 percent in FY22. Also, the PAT margin improved and stood at 0.56 percent in FY23 as against 0.05 percent in FY22. The rating also takes into consideration its established track record of operations, experienced management and moderate working capital cycle. 
However, the rating is constrained by factoring the stretched liquidity position of the company, below-average financial risk profile, high reliance on bank debt to fund its working capital requirements. Going forward, the company's ability to improve its liquidity position and improve its profitability margins over the medium term while maintaining its capital structure will remain a key rating monitorable.

About the Company
­Hyderabad based, Recon Technologies Private Limited (RTPL) incorporated in the year 1996 by Mr. Venu Vinod. Till 2007, the company was solely engaged in providing Repairs and Maintenance services of mechanical components pertaining to Earth moving machineries and process plant equipment’s. In 2007, the company was appointed as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for Mahindra and Mahindra Limited for manufacturing its 'Powerol' brand diesel generator sets. RTPL is also an authorized distributor for TATA HITACHI hydraulic excavators in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana region. The company also sells spare parts and provides repairs and maintenance services.
 
Unsupported Rating
­Not Applicable
 
Analytical Approach
­Acuité has considered the standalone business and financial risk profiles of RTPL to arrive at this rating.
 
Key Rating Drivers

Strengths
­>Established track record of operations with experienced management
RTPL is based out of Hyderabad which was incorporated in the year 1996 by Mr. Venu Vinod reflecting an established track record of operations for more than two decades. The company is currently the authorized distributors of Tata Hitachi hydraulic excavators and OEM for Mahindra & Mahindra’s powerol generators. The company majorly caters in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana region. The promoter of the company Mr. Venu Vinod (Managing Director) has around three decades of experience in trading, manufacturing and real estate business. The operations of the company are managed by the promoters as well as well experienced senior management team who are ably supported by a strong line of mid-level managers. The extensive experience of the promoters has helped the company to established long and healthy relationships with its customers and suppliers over the years.
Acuité believes that RTPL will continue to benefit from its experienced management, long track of business operations and well-established relationships with clients and suppliers over the medium term.

>Improvement in operating income along with margins
The revenue of the company improved and stood at Rs.257.34 Cr. in FY23 as against Rs.206.73 Cr. in FY22 registering a growth of ~25 percent YoY. The improvement in revenues is driven by higher volume sales traded goods of the company i.e., Tata Hitachi excavators owing to increase in construction activities. Also, the company is going to increase its actual production of Diesel Generators and electrical panel on account of increased orders. Out of the total revenue achieved in FY23, ~33% is from manufacturing, ~63% is from trading and ~4% crore is from services. However, the company recorded slight decline in revenues which stood at Rs. ~Rs.251 Cr. in FY2024 as compared to FY2023 on account of on-going elections in the state of Telangana, due to which many contracts were on hold. Further, the operating profit margin of the company improved and stood at 3.22 percent in FY2023 as compared to 3.05 percent in FY22. Also, the PAT margin improved and stood at 0.56 percent in FY23 as against 0.05 percent in FY22.
Acuité believes that the growth in revenues and profitability margins are expected to support the overall growth of the company over the medium term.

>Moderate working capital management.
The working capital management of the company is moderate marked by moderate GCA days of 82 days in FY23 as against 90 days in FY22. The company maintains moderate inventory levels of around 34 days in FY23 as against 48 days for FY22. Generally, the inventory holding period that the company follows is 45-60 days. Subsequently, the debtor’s collection period stood at 40 days in FY23 as against 33 days for FY22. Generally, the company does its major business on cash and carry basis, but at times it gives a credit period of 30-40 days to its customers. Furthermore, the creditor days stood at 23 days in FY23 as against 26 days in FY22. Generally, the company allows a credit period of 30 days from its suppliers. As a result, the reliance of working capital limits remained high reflected by average utilization of its working capital limits of around ~95 percent in last 06 months ending March 2024.
Acuité believes that the working capital management of the company will continue to remain a key rating monitorable going ahead.

Weaknesses
­>Below Average financial risk profile
The financial risk profile of the company stood below average, marked by modest net worth, moderate gearing (debt-equity) and average debt protection metrics. The tangible net worth stood at Rs.29.96 crore as on 31 March 2023 as against Rs.28.54 crore as on 31 March, 2022. The total debt of the company stood at Rs.47.67 crore which includes short-term debt of Rs.37.43 crore, long-term debt of Rs.5.65 crore and CPLTD of Rs.4.60 crore as on 31 March, 2023. The gearing (debt-equity) stood at 1.59 times as on 31 March 2023 as compared to 1.42 times as on 31 March, 2022. Interest Coverage Ratio stood at 1.86 times for FY2023 as against 1.73 times for FY2022. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) stood at 0.84 times in FY2023 as against 0.74 times in FY2022. Total outside Liabilities/Total Net Worth (TOL/TNW) stood at 2.20 times as on 31 March, 2023 as against 2.00 times as on 31 March, 2022. Net Cash Accruals to Total Debt (NCA/TD) stood at 0.07 times for FY2023 as against 0.05 times for FY2022.
Acuité believes that the financial risk profile of the company will continue to remain moderate on account of moderate profitability and no major debt funded capex over the medium term.

>Intense competition and cyclical end user industries
RTPL operates in a highly competitive industry where pressure from organized as well as unorganized players is faced, especially in diesel generator segments. The company faces stiff competition from other dealers of Hitachi and other commercial automobile companies. The launching of new models at competitive prices by other players can impact the market share of Hitachi, which in turn can affect dealers including RTPL. Further, the operations of the company are also vulnerable to the inherent cyclicality of the construction industry.
Rating Sensitivities
  • ­Significant improvement in scale of operations and profitability margins.
  • Stretch in the working capital cycle leading to stretched liquidity position.
 
Liquidity Position
Stretched
The company’s liquidity position is stretched, marked by average utilization of ~95% percent for the working capital facilities for the past 06 months ended March 2024. The company generated insufficient net cash accruals of Rs.3.27 Crore in FY2023 against its maturity repayment obligations of Rs.4.77 crore in the same tenure. In addition, it is expected to generate sufficient cash accrual in the range of Rs.3.68-8.00 crore against the maturing repayment obligations of Rs.2.15-3.75 crore over the medium term. The working capital management of the company is moderate marked by moderate GCA days of 82 days in FY2023 as against 90 days in FY2022. The company maintains unencumbered cash and bank balances of Rs.4.20 crore as on March 31, 2023. The current ratio stands at 1.02 times as on March 31, 2023, as against 1.06 times as on 31 March, 2022.
Acuite believes that the liquidity of the company will remain stretched in the near to medium term on account of significant debt repayment in the near to medium term.
 
Outlook: Stable
­Acuité believes that RTPL will maintain a 'Stable' outlook over the medium term backed by its experienced management and long track record of operations. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case of higher -than-expected revenue and profitability or efficiently management of its working capital leads to better financial risk profile and liquidity. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of lower-than-expected revenue or profitability, or any further stretch in its working capital management leading to deterioration in its financial risk profile and liquidity position.
 
Other Factors affecting Rating
­None
 

Particulars Unit FY 23 (Actual) FY 22 (Actual)
Operating Income Rs. Cr. 257.34 206.73
PAT Rs. Cr. 1.43 0.11
PAT Margin (%) 0.56 0.05
Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth Times 1.59 1.42
PBDIT/Interest Times 1.86 1.73
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
• Trading Entities: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-61.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
21 Mar 2023 Bank Guarantee (BLR) Short Term 3.00 ACUITE A4+ (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 7.50 ACUITE BB | Stable (Downgraded from ACUITE BB+ | Stable)
Channel/Dealer/Vendor Financing Long Term 30.00 ACUITE BB | Stable (Downgraded from ACUITE BB+ | Stable)
Proposed Long Term Bank Facility Long Term 0.65 ACUITE BB | Stable (Downgraded from ACUITE BB+ | Stable)
Term Loan Long Term 3.07 ACUITE BB | Stable (Downgraded from ACUITE BB+ | Stable)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 5.00 ACUITE BB | Stable (Downgraded from ACUITE BB+ | Stable)
16 Feb 2022 Bank Guarantee/Letter of Guarantee Short Term 3.00 ACUITE A4+ (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 4.50 ACUITE BB+ | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BB | Stable)
Channel/Dealer/Vendor Financing Long Term 25.00 ACUITE BB+ | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BB | Stable)
Proposed Long Term Bank Facility Long Term 5.10 ACUITE BB+ | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BB | Stable)
Term Loan Long Term 4.12 ACUITE BB+ | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BB | Stable)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 7.50 ACUITE BB+ | Stable (Upgraded from ACUITE BB | Stable)
­

Lender’s Name ISIN Facilities Date Of Issuance Coupon Rate Maturity Date Quantum
(Rs. Cr.)
Complexity Level Rating
Axis Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Bank Guarantee (BLR) Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 3.00 Simple ACUITE A4+ | Reaffirmed
Axis Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Cash Credit Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 7.50 Simple ACUITE BB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Axis Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Channel/Dealer/Vendor Financing Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 30.00 Simple ACUITE BB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Not Applicable Not avl. / Not appl. Proposed Long Term Bank Facility Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 5.82 Simple ACUITE BB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Axis Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Term Loan 16 Dec 2019 Not avl. / Not appl. 31 Mar 2025 1.02 Simple ACUITE BB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Axis Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Working Capital Term Loan 01 Dec 2019 Not avl. / Not appl. 01 Sep 2024 1.88 Simple ACUITE BB | Stable | Reaffirmed
­

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