Product Quantum (Rs. Cr) Long Term Rating Short Term Rating
Bank Loan Ratings 60.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed -
Total Outstanding Quantum (Rs. Cr) 60.00 - -
 
Rating Rationale
­Acuité has reaffirmed the long term rating of ‘ACUITE BBB’ (read as ACUITE triple B) to the Rs. 60.00 Cr bank facilities of Shri Ram Ozone Retail Private Limited. The outlook remains ‘Stable’.

Rationale for the reaffirmation
The rating reaffirmation of the group takes into account the stable business risk profile of the company as reflected from its diversified business interests thus ensuring steady cash accruals apart from stabilization in their hotel business. The rating also factors in its long track record of operations of the group, experienced management and the efficient collection mechanism. These strengths are partially offset by the average financial risk profile of the group, the fragmented steel industry and the volatility in commodity prices.

 

About the Company
­Incorporated in 2012, Shri Ram Ozone Retail Private Limited (SRORPL) is a franchisee and an authorized dealer of Tanishq Jewellery (Gems & Jewellery division of Titan Industries Ltd) and is engaged in retailing of gold & platinum Jewellery studded with precious and semi-precious gems, bullions and gold watch studded with precious stones. The company has 3 showrooms, 2 in Kolkata (commission income model) and 1 in Ranchi (purchase and sell model) and 2 Mia by Tanishq outlets, 1 in Kolkata and 1 in Ranchi.
 
About the Group
­Incorporated in 1998, Shri Ram Multicom Private Ltd (SRMPL) is the flagship company of the group. SRMPL has developed and set up a budget category hotel named Fairfield Hotel along with retail mall/spaces, a brand owned by Marriott at Newtown, Rajarhat, Kolkata. SRMPL has an agreement of 25 years with Marriott for the same. Additionally, SRMPL operates a commercial building in Dhanbad and is engaged as a forwarding agent for ACC Limited and IOCL. 

Incorporated in 1998, Jalan Intercontinental Hotels Private Limited is a Kolkata based company engaged in running a 5 star hotel, “Taj Vivanta”. In November 2018, the company was taken over through competitive bidding from National Company Law Tribunal by the Shri Ram Ozone group.

Shri Ram Mall Private Limited was incorporated in 2006 engaged into construction of malls. Currently, the company is operating a mall in Dhanbad namely Ozone Galleria. In Dhanbad, this is the only mall, which started operations in FY 2008. The mall has an area of 3.5lakh square feet and has anchor shops such as Big Bazaar, Pantaloons, Reliance trend, Reliance FP, Reliance digital etc. In addition to this it has a multiplex with 4 screens. Currently, the mall has approximately 95 per cent occupancy. 

Incorporated in 2005, Shri Ram Residency Private Limited is part of the Shri Ram group and is engaged in developing of commercial and residential properties in Dhanbad. The company has already completed two projects Ozone Plaza (Commercial) and Blue Diamond (Residential). At present the company has an ongoing project ‘Maemco (Ozone Town)’. 

Incorporated in 2003, SRP is a franchisee and an authorized dealer of Tanishq Jewellery (Gems & Jewellery division of Titan Industries Ltd) and is engaged in retailing of gold & platinum Jewellery studded with precious and semi-precious gems, bullions and gold watch studded with precious stones. The company has 1 showroom in Dhanbad. 

Incorporated in 2010, Ozone Logistics Private Limited is part of the Shri Ram group and is engaged in wholeasale trading of TMT and other iron and steel items. The company is the sole distributor of Electrosteel Steels Limited and Jindal Steel and Power Limited in Jharkhand and West Bengal. Further, the company is also the distributer of the TMT bar of Jindal Steel and Power Limited in the few districts of Jharkhand and West Bengal. The company has a total of 4 warehouses across all the locations. 
 
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Analytical Approach
­Acuité has combined and consolidated the financial and business risk profiles of Shri Ram Multicom Private Limited with its subsidiaries, Shri Ram Mall Private Limited, Shri Ram Residency Private Limited, Shri Ram Ozone Retail Private Limited, Shri Ram Precision, Ozone Logistics Private Limited and Jalan Intercontinental Hotels Private Limited. This is on account of common promoters, holding-subsidiary relationship and corporate guarantee provided by Shri Ram Multicom Private Limited, the flagship company to its subsidiaries. The group is herein referred to as the Shri Ram Ozone group.
Extent of consolidation: Full 
 

Key Rating Drivers

Strengths
  • ­Long operational track record and experienced management
The group has a long track record of over two decades in varied business like distribution of TMT bars, dealership of jewellery, real estate/commercial estate, and logistics business. The group has an established presence in Jharkhand and West Bengal. Initially, the group started with clearing & forwarding business and development of residential and commercial projects. Over the years, the group has diversified its activities and ventured into diverse businesses. 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 group is managed by Mr. Pradeep Kumar Sonthalia, who possesses vast experience of over two decades in the industry. Currently, his son Mr. Nityanand Sonthalia is actively involved in the day to day operations of the group. Acuité derives comfort from the long experience of the promoters. 

 
  • Diversified business with major contribution from distribution of TMT bars
The group has presence in diverse sectors like real estate development, steel trading, jewellery, hospitality and logistics. However, major revenues of the group are generated from distribution of TMT bars, manufactured by Electrosteel Steels Limited and Jindal Steel and Power Limited. The group’s TMT bars trading division is operated under Ozone Logistics Private Limited. In FY23, TMT bars trading division contributed to around 67 per cent of the total revenues of the group (PY the contribution was 61 per cent).

Moreover, the group also derives healthy revenues from the jewellery business. The group operates four showrooms, two in Kolkata and one each in Ranchi and Dhanbad and is an authorized dealer of Tanishq Jewellery. Apart from this, the group has leased out commercial properties in Dhanbad which provide stable cash flows. The leased out properties have had healthy occupancy over the years, along with modest growth in rentals. Also, the group has leased out its retail space in its newly developed hotel, Fairfield by Marriott to reputed retailers which provides stable rentals. Acuité believes that though the debt levels of the group remains significantly high, the stable cash flows from its leased out properties and steel trading activities (contributing to around 67 percent of the group’s revenues) will help the group to sustain steady cash accruals and maintain its business risk profile over the medium term.

 
  • Moderate working capital management
The working capital management of the group is moderate marked by Gross Current Assets (GCA) of 131 days on 31st March 2022 as compared to 133 days on 31st March 2021. The moderate level of GCA days is on account of moderate inventory levels during the same period. The inventory holding stood at 81 days on 31st March 2022 as compared to 79 days as on 31st March 2021. However, the debtor period stood comfortable at 7 days on 31st March 2022 as compared to 11 days on 31st March 2021. Acuité believes that the working capital operations of the group will remain at same level as evident from efficient collection mechanism and moderate inventory levels over the medium term.
Weaknesses
  • Average financial risk profile
The group’s average financial risk profile is marked by healthy networth, moderate gearing and debt protection metrics. The tangible net worth of the group increased to Rs.271.44 Cr as on March 31,2022 from Rs.248.73 Cr as on March 31, 2021 due to accretion of reserves. Gearing of the group stood moderate at 1.92 times as on March 31, 2022 as against 2.03 times as on March 31, 2021. The Total outside Liabilities/Tangible Net Worth (TOL/TNW) stood high at 2.09 times as on March 31, 2022 as against 2.23 times as on March 31, 2021. The moderate debt protection metrics of the group is marked by Interest Coverage Ratio at 2.17 times as on March 31, 2022 and Debt Service Coverage Ratio at 1.35 times as on March 31, 2022. Net Cash Accruals/Total Debt (NCA/TD) stood healthy at 0.08 times as on March 31, 2022. Acuité believes that the financial risk profile of the group is expected to improve in the absence of any significant debt funded capex plans over the medium term.­
  • Intense competition and inherent cyclical nature of the steel industry
The downstream steel industry remains heavily fragmented and unorganised. The company is exposed to intense competitive pressures from large number of organised and unorganised players along with its exposure to inherent cyclical nature of the steel industry. Additionally, prices of raw materials and products are highly volatile in nature.
ESG Factors Relevant for Rating
­Environment: This industry has lower environmental risk. key material issues such as green supply chain and green products can influence environmental scores. Additionally, GHG emissions, energy efficiency, environmental management, waste management and green products are significant environmental issues in the wholesale trade industry.
Social: The industry is primarily exposed to social issues such as, community support & development, employee safety, employment quality, product quality and human rights. Additionally, key material issues such as product responsibility, product safety, responsible procurement and employee development have a significant impact on the social scores for this industry.
Governance: Corporate governance is a key risk for this industry. This industry is exposed to key issues such as anti-competitive behavior, business ethics, management compensation, board independence and corrupt practices. Moreover, board diversity & compensation, audit committee functioning, anti-takeover mechanism, financial audit & control and shareholders’ rights are the key material issues for this industry.
 
Rating Sensitivities
  • ­Improvement in revenue growth and margins
  • Deterioration in the group’s financial risk profile
  • Increase in occupancy levels and ARR of the hotel properties 
 
Material covenants
­None
 
Liquidity Position: Adequate
The group’s liquidity is adequate marked by steady net cash accruals of Rs.43.38 Cr as on March 31, 2022 as against long term debt repayment of Rs.20.85 Cr over the same period. The cash and bank balances of the group stood at Rs.34.54 Cr as on March 31, 2022 as compared to Rs.46.32 Cr as on March 31, 2021. The current ratio stood comfortable at 1.69 times as on March 31, 2022 as compared to 1.40 times as on March 31, 2021. The net cash accruals is expected to remain in the range of around Rs.45.00-55.00 crore against its maturing debt obligations in the range of Rs. 30.00-35.00 crore. The fund based limit utilization remains at 53 per cent over the six months ended March, 2023. The working capital management of the group is moderate marked by Gross Current Assets (GCA) of 131 days on 31st March 2022 as compared to 133 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 Shri Ram Ozone Group will remain 'Stable' over the medium term on account of the long track record of operations, experienced management, sound business position and moderate working capital management. 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 delay in completion of its projects or further elongation in its working capital cycle. 
 
Other Factors affecting Rating
­None
 

Particulars Unit FY 22 (Actual) FY 21 (Actual)
Operating Income Rs. Cr. 909.10 729.96
PAT Rs. Cr. 22.32 6.56
PAT Margin (%) 2.46 0.90
Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth Times 1.92 2.03
PBDIT/Interest Times 2.17 1.65
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
• Service Sector: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-50.htm
• Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm
• Consolidation Of Companies: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-60.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
15 Jul 2022 Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 2.40 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 3.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.65 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.09 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 1.38 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 0.69 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.25 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Channel Financing Long Term 26.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 2.60 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Secured Overdraft Long Term 4.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 10.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Assigned)
Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 5.94 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
22 Feb 2022 Channel Financing Long Term 26.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Secured Overdraft Long Term 4.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 2.60 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Assigned)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.09 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 2.40 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Assigned)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 1.65 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.25 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Working Capital Term Loan Long Term 0.69 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 5.94 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 3.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Assigned)
Term Loan Long Term 1.38 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
28 Jan 2022 Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 8.05 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Secured Overdraft Long Term 4.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Channel Financing Long Term 26.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.25 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 2.70 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
04 Sep 2020 Proposed Bank Facility Long Term 8.05 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Cash Credit Long Term 1.25 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Term Loan Long Term 2.70 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Secured Overdraft Long Term 4.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
Channel Financing Long Term 26.00 ACUITE BBB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
­

Lender’s Name ISIN Facilities Date Of Issuance Coupon Rate Maturity Date Quantum (Rs. Cr.) Complexity Level Rating
State Bank of India Not Applicable Cash Credit Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable 1.25 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed
State Bank of India Not Applicable Channel/Dealer/Vendor Financing Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable 34.25 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Not Applicable Not Applicable Proposed Long Term Bank Facility Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable 8.45 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Axis Bank Not Applicable Secured Overdraft Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable 4.00 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Axis Bank Not Applicable Term Loan Not available Not available Not available 3.00 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Axis Bank Not Applicable Working Capital Term Loan Not available Not available Not available 0.69 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Axis Bank Not Applicable Working Capital Term Loan Not available Not available Not available 1.09 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed
State Bank of India Not Applicable Working Capital Term Loan Not available Not available Not available 4.87 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed
State Bank of India Not Applicable Working Capital Term Loan Not available Not available Not available 2.40 Simple ACUITE BBB | Stable | Reaffirmed

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