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| Product | Quantum (Rs. Cr) | Long Term Rating | Short Term Rating |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 24.00 | ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Reaffirmed | - |
| Total Outstanding | 24.00 | - | - |
| Total Withdrawn | 0.00 | - | - |
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Rating Rationale |
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Acuité has reaffirmed its long-term rating of ‘ACUITE BBB-’ (read as ACUITE triple B minus) on the Rs. 24.00 Cr. bank facilities of Royal Alloys (RA). The outlook remains 'Stable'.
Rationale for the rating The rating reaffirmation reflects the established track record of operations and the extensive industry experience of the group’s partners in the steel industry for more than two decades. The rating also factors in the group’s efficient working capital management. Additionally, it considers the stable scale of operations, with the group’s revenue marginally declining to Rs. 674.45 Cr. in FY24 from Rs. 692.97 Cr. in FY23, albeit with improved margins. The group recorded an estimated revenue of Rs. 295.30 Cr. in the first half of FY25. Furthermore, the company has been able to sustain its profitability margins over the last three financial years despite volatility in steel prices. However, the rating is constrained by a moderate financial risk profile, characterized by moderate net worth and debt protection metrics. The inherent cyclicality of the steel business and intense competition in the industry make margins and cash flows vulnerable to fluctuations in prices and demand. |
| About the Company |
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Incorporated in 2018, Royal Alloys (RA) is a partnership firm based in Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab. The firm is engaged in the manufacturing of MS Flats, with a total installed capacity of 35,000 MTPA.
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| About the Group |
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Royal Group is a Punjab based group engaged in the manufacturing of flat steel products with a cumulative capacity of 1,10,000 MTPA. The Group is promoted by Mr. Sanjiv Sood along with his friends and family members. The promoters have more than 2 decades of experience in Iron & Steel Industry. Both, Royal Alloys and Royal Ispat Udyog source ingots from one of their group company, Royal Concast with an installed capacity of 29000 MTPA.
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| Unsupported Rating |
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Not Applicable
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| Analytical Approach |
| Extent of Consolidation |
| •Full Consolidation |
| Rationale for Consolidation or Parent / Group / Govt. Support |
| Acuite has considered the consolidated financials of Royal Alloys and Royal Ispat Udyog. The consolidation is on account of the common management, same line of operations and significant operational and financial fungibility.
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| Key Rating Drivers |
| Strengths |
| Long track record of operations for the group and experienced management
The group has had a long operational track record in the iron and steel industry for around one and a half decades. Royal Group is a Punjab-based group engaged in the manufacturing of flat steel products and ingots. Further, the key promoter of the group, Mr. Sanjeev Sood, has more than two decades of experience in the iron and steel industry. He is ably supported by other highly qualified and experienced promoters. Moreover, the promoters are resourceful and have also supported the group companies by infusing unsecured loans as and when required to support the business operations. The long-standing experience of the partners and long track record of operations has helped the company to establish healthy relationships with key suppliers and customers. The experience of the partners is also evident through the stable scale of operations, Despite a marginal decline in revenue from Rs. 692.97 Cr. in FY23 to Rs. 674.45 Cr. in FY24, the group’s operating margin improved to 3.74% in FY24 from 3.27% in FY23, driven by reduced power and fuel costs following the transition from a steam coal-fired furnace to a gas-fired furnace. Similarly, the PAT margin saw a marginal increase to 1.09% in FY24 from 1.01% in FY23. Furthermore, the company achieved a revenue of around Rs 295.30 Cr. (Est) in H1 FY25. Acuité believes that the long operational track record of the group coupled with the extensive experience of the management will continue to benefit the group going forward, resulting in steady growth in the scale of operations. Efficient working capital management The working capital operations of the group are efficient in nature marked by GCA days of 84 in FY2024, compared to 75 days in FY2023. This increase is primarily due to higher debtor days, which extended to 32 days as of March 31, 2024, from 21 days as of March 31, 2023. The average collection period ranges from 25 to 40 days. As of September 2024, the group’s debtors amounted to Rs. 50.55 Cr., with 96% of debtors being less than six months old. Inventory days stood at 29 as of March 31, 2024, down from 34 days as of March 31, 2023, with the group typically holding inventory for around 30 days. Additionally, creditor days were 18 in FY2024, compared to 23 days in the previous year, with an average credit period of 15 to 20 days. Acuité believes that the working capital requirement is likely to remain at similar levels in the near and medium term. |
| Weaknesses |
| Moderate financial risk profile
The financial risk profile of the group stood moderate, marked by moderate net worth, low gearing and moderate debt protection metrics. Acuite has considered Rs. 53.41 Cr. of USL as part of quasi equity, as the management has undertaken to maintain the amount in the business over the medium term. The net worth of the group stood at Rs. 92.01 Cr. in FY 2024 as compared to Rs 87.00 Cr. in FY 2023. This improvement in net-worth is mainly due to the retention of current year profit. The gearing of the group has stood low at 0.69 times as on 31st March 2024 as compared to 0.54 times as on 31st March 2023. The gearing is expected to improve in the near term on account of absence of any debt funded capex plans and gradual repayment of the loans. The TOL/TNW of the group stood at 1.08 times as on 31st March 2024 as against 1.03 times 31st March 2023. Further, debt protection metrics stood moderate with Interest Coverage Ratio (ICR) stood at 1.59 times as on 31st March 2024 as against 1.74 times as on 31st March 2023. The Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of the group stood at 1.36 times as on 31st March 2024 as compared to 1.47 times in the previous year. The Debt-EBITDA of the group stood at 2.33 times in as on 31st March 2024 as against 2.05 times as on 31st March 2023. The net cash accruals to total debt (NCA/TD) stood at 0.16 as on 31st March 2024 as compared to 0.21 times in the previous year. Going ahead, the team expects the financial risk profile to improve in the near term on account of absence of any debt funded capex plans and gradual repayment of the loans. Inherent cyclical nature of the steel industry The group's performance remains vulnerable to cyclicality in the steel sector given the close linkage between the demand for steel products and the domestic and global economies. The end-user segments such as real estate, civil construction, and engineering also display cyclicality. Further, operating margins are vulnerable to volatility in the input prices (sponge iron, iron ore, and coal) as well as realisation from finished goods. The prices and supply of the main raw material, sponge iron, directly impact the realisation of finished goods. Any significant reduction in demand and prices adversely impacting the operating margins and cash accruals of the group will remain a key monitorable. |
| Rating Sensitivities |
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Sustainability in revenue growth and profitability margins
Elongation of working capital cycle Sustenance of capital structure |
| Liquidity Position |
| Adequate |
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The group’s liquidity position is adequate, marked by net cash accruals of Rs. 10.11 Cr. in FY 2024 as against its maturity debt obligations of Rs. 2.87 Cr. in the same tenure. In addition, it is expected to generate a sufficient cash accrual in the range of Rs. 10.53 – 12.28 Cr. as against its maturing repayment obligations of Rs. 5.84 – 5.87 Cr. over the medium term. The current ratio stood comfortably at 2.13 times as of March 31, 2024, as compared to 1.82 times as of March 31, 2023. Further, the fund-based limits remained moderately utilised at 77 percent for the six months ended September 2024. The cash and bank balances of the group stood at Rs. 4.71 Cr. in FY2024 as compared to Rs. 7.95 Cr. in FY2023. Moreover, the working capital management of the group is efficient, as evidenced by gross current assets (GCA) of 84 days in FY2024 as compared to 75 days in FY2023.
Acuité believes that going forward the company will maintain adequate liquidity position due to steady accruals. |
| Outlook: |
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Stable
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| Other Factors affecting Rating |
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None
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| Particulars | Unit | FY 24 (Actual) | FY 23 (Actual) |
| Operating Income | Rs. Cr. | 674.45 | 692.97 |
| PAT | Rs. Cr. | 7.35 | 7.03 |
| PAT Margin | (%) | 1.09 | 1.01 |
| Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth | Times | 0.69 | 0.54 |
| PBDIT/Interest | Times | 1.59 | 1.74 |
| Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable) |
| Not Applicable |
| Any Other Information |
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None
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| Applicable Criteria |
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• Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm • Default Recognition: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm • Manufacturing Entities: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-59.htm |
| Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument |
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| *Annexure 2 - List of Entities (applicable for Consolidation or Parent / Group / Govt. Support) | ||||||
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