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| Product | Quantum (Rs. Cr) | Long Term Rating | Short Term Rating |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 13.70 | ACUITE BB+ | Stable | Assigned | - |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 60.00 | ACUITE BB+ | Stable | Downgraded | - |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 120.00 | - | ACUITE A4+ | Assigned |
| Total Outstanding | 193.70 | - | - |
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Rating Rationale |
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Acuité has downgraded its long-term rating of 'ACUITE BB+' (read as ACUITE Double B Plus) from ‘ACUITE BBB-’ (read as ACUITE triple B Minus) on the Rs. 60.00 Cr. bank facilities of the Sri Salasar Balaji Agro Tech Private Limited (SSBATPL).The outlook is 'Stable'.
Acuité has also assigned its long-term rating of ‘ACUITE BB+’ (read as ACUITE Double B Plus) and short-term rating of 'ACUITE A4+' (read as ACUITE A Four Plus) on the Rs.133.70 Cr. bank facilities of the Sri Salasar Balaji Agro Tech Private Limited (SSBATPL).The outlook is 'Stable'. Rationale for rating The downgrade in the rating takes into account lower-than-expected performance of Salasar Balaji Group primarily due to volatility in the price realizations from the period 2021-2023. The Group generated revenue of Rs.561.17 crore in FY2023 as against Rs.1300.33 crore in FY2022. Further, the group’s PAT deteriorated to Rs. (3.32) Cr. in FY2023 as against Rs.11.01 Crore in FY2022 primarily due to high interest and depreciation costs. Also, the downgrade in the rating considers stretched liquidity, vulnerability of margins due to fluctuating raw material and yarn prices, average financial risk profile due to high Debt-EBITDA of 7.54 times in FY2023 as against 3.58 times in FY2022. However, the rating continues to draw comfort from established track record operations, experienced management and location-specific advantage by being in proximity to the cotton growing areas of Mahabubnagar (Telangana). |
| About Company |
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Incorporated in 2003, Sri Salasar Balaji Agro Tech Private Limited (SSBATPL) is a Hyderabad based company engaged in the business of FP Bales (full pressed bales) and cotton yarn. Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Khetan and his family members are the promoters of the company. Mr. Dhirajkumar Khetan, Mrs. Manju Khetan and Ms. Khetan Shreeya are the directors of the company.
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| About the Group |
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Sri Salasar Balaji Textiles Private Limited
Incorporated in November 2017, Sri Salasar Balaji Textiles Private Limited (SSBTPL) is engaged in manufacturing of cotton yarn. Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Khetan is the promoter of the company. The plant is located in Adilabad, Telangana with an installed capacity of 48,000 spindles. SSBTPL started commercial operations July, 2019. Mr. Dhirajkumar Khetan, Ms. Khetan Shreeya and Mrs. Manju Khetan are the directors of the company. |
| Unsupported Rating |
| Not Applicable |
| Analytical Approach |
| Extent of Consolidation |
| •Full Consolidation |
| Rationale for Consolidation or Parent / Group / Govt. Support |
| Acuité has considered consolidated financials of Sri Salasar Balaji Agrotech Private Limited (SSBATPL), its wholly owned subsidiary - Sri Salasar Balaji Textiles Private Limited (SSBTPL) together referred to as the Sri Salasar Balaji Group. The consolidation is on account of strong operational, financial and managerial linkages.
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| Key Rating Drivers |
| Strengths |
| Extensive experience of promoters and long operational track record of operations
Sri Salasar Balaji Textiles Private Limited (SSBTPL) belongs to Sri Salasar Balaji Group, which has presence in the cotton textile industry for more than three decades. Mr. Dhiraj (Managing director) is actively engaged in managing the day to day operations of the company along with adequate support from other family members who also have been associated with the cotton Industry. The manufacturing facility of the company is strategically located in Mahboobnagar district, which is a hub for horticultural. Raw cotton being the major raw material is available abundantly in close proximity of the unit. Further, the promoters have long and established relationship with the farmers as well as traders which augurs well for the company. The promoters have established long relationships with various stakeholders across the value chain, aiding in repeat orders from key customers. Acuité believes that Sri Salasar Balaji group will continue to benefit from the extensive experience of its promoters, and established relationships with clients will improve its business risk profile over the medium term. |
| Weaknesses |
| Deterioration in the Operating Performance
The group recorded a revenue of Rs.561.17 Cr. in FY2023 as against Rs.1300.33 Cr. in FY2022 on account of volatility seen in the price realization. Even though the group had reported deterioration in the operating income, the EBITDA margins shown an improvement which stood at 2.13 percent in FY2023 as against 1.95 percent in FY2022 on account of volatility in raw material costs. The group has faced net losses of (0.59) percent in FY2023 as against 0.85 percent in FY2022 on account of high interest and depreciation costs. However, the EBITDA and PAT margins improved in 10MFY2024 which stood at 3.90 percent and 0.75 percent respectively. Going forward, the group's EBITDA margins to sustain at 3%-5% in the medium term, considering a likely moderation in raw material costs with improved realisations in cotton yarn segment. Acuité believes that improvement in Group’s scale of operations along with profitability margins will be a key rating sensitivity. Moderately Intensive Working Capital operations The working capital management of the group is moderately intensive marked by GCA days of 105 days in FY2023 as against 53 days in FY2022. The inventory days stood at 43 days in FY2023 as against 20 days in FY2022. Generally, the group has an inventory holding period of 30-45 days. The debtor days stood at 44 days in FY2023 as against 25 days in FY2022. The group generally deals on a 100% cash basis but sometimes it gives credit period of 15-20 days to its customers. Creditor days stood at 25 days in FY2023 as against 23 days in FY2022. The group generally allows a credit period of 20-30 days from its suppliers. The average utilization of the working capital facilities stood at ~80% of the sanctioned amount for past 10 months ended December 2023. Acuité believes that maintaining efficient working capital management will be a key sensitivity looking at the industry and its operations. Average Financial Risk Profile The financial risk profile of the group stood average marked by modest net worth, moderate gearing, and average debt protection metrics. The tangible net worth of the group stood at Rs.55.95 crore as on 31 March 2023 as against Rs.68.64 crore as on 31 March, 2022. The total debt of the group stood at Rs.149.36 crore includes Rs.40.15 crore of long-term debt, Rs.10.03 crore of CPLTD, Rs.1.71 crore of Unsecured loans and Rs.97.46 crore of short-term debt as on 31 March, 2023. The gearing (debt-equity) stood at 2.67 times as on 31 March 2023 as compared to 1.87 times as on 31 March, 2022. Debt-EBITDA stood high at 7.54 times in FY2023 as against 3.58 times in FY2022. Interest Coverage Ratio stood at 1.43 times for FY2023 as against 2.34 times for FY2022. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) stood at 0.75 times in FY2023 as against 1.46 times in FY2022. Total outside Liabilities/Total Net Worth (TOL/TNW) stood at 3.39 times as on 31 March, 2023 as against 3.21 times as on 31 March, 2022. Highly competitive and fragmented industry Cotton is a ‘kharif crop’, sowed in June and harvested in October. Therefore, the ginning activities also commence in October and last till March every year, making the business seasonal. Availability of cotton is highly dependent on monsoon. Cotton production, government interventions and fluctuations in global cotton output have resulted in sharp fluctuations in cotton prices in the past and impacted the operating margins of players. Sustenance of the operating margin amid the volatility in cotton price will remain a key sensitivity factor. Operating margins of Salasar Group have oscillated in the range of 1-3 percent over FY2022 and FY2023. Cotton, which is the main raw material required for ginning, is a seasonal crop and production of the same is highly dependent upon monsoon. Thus, inadequate rainfall may affect the availability of raw cotton in adverse weather conditions. The cotton industry is highly competitive with multiple players coupled with low entry barriers resulting in intense competition from both the organised as well as unorganised players. Acuité believes that operating margins of the entire value chain - ginners and spinners continue to be exposed to the volatile raw material prices and impacts on profitability. Also, the low value-additive nature of the business results in thin profit margins for the group. |
| Rating Sensitivities |
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| Liquidity Position |
| Stretched |
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The group’s liquidity position is stretched, marked by inadequate net cash accruals against its maturity debt obligations. The group generated insufficient net cash accruals in the range of Rs.5.36-18.44 Crore from FY 2021- 2022 against its maturity repayment obligations in the range of Rs.10.03-Rs.11.81 crore in the same tenure. In addition, it is expected to generate sufficient cash accrual in the range of Rs.11.84-21.69 crores against the maturing repayment obligations of Rs.9.44-12.25 crore over the medium term. The working capital management of the group is moderately intensive marked by GCA days of 105 days in FY2023 as against 53 days in FY2022. The average utilization of the working capital facilities stood at ~80% of the sanctioned amount for past 10 months ended December 2023. The group maintains unencumbered cash and bank balances of Rs.1.98 crore as on March 31, 2023. The current ratio of the group stands at 1.09 times as on March 31, 2023 as against 1.23 times as on 31 March, 2022.
Acuité believes that though cash accruals are stretched, howbeit, managing the working capital efficient operations will remain a key rating sensitivity factor. |
| Outlook: Stable |
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Acuite believes that Sri Salasar Balaji group will continue to benefit over the medium term due to its “established market position and established relations with its customers. The outlook may be revised to “Positive”, if the group demonstrates substantial and sustained growth in its operating margins from the current levels while improving its capital structure through equity infusion. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to “Negative”, if Group’s generates lower-than-anticipated cash accruals, most likely as a result of sharp decline in operating margins, or further stretch in its working capital cycle, or larger-than expected debt-funded capex thereby impacting its financial risk profile, particularly its liquidity.
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| Other Factors affecting Rating |
| None |
| Particulars | Unit | FY 23 (Actual) | FY 22 (Actual) |
| Operating Income | Rs. Cr. | 561.17 | 1300.33 |
| PAT | Rs. Cr. | (3.32) | 11.01 |
| PAT Margin | (%) | (0.59) | 0.85 |
| Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth | Times | 2.67 | 1.87 |
| PBDIT/Interest | Times | 1.43 | 2.34 |
| Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable) |
| Not applicable |
| Any Other Information |
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From FY2023 onwards, only 2 companies have been taken into consideration i.e., 'Sri Salasar Balaji Agrotech Private Limited' and 'Sri Salasar Balaji Textiles Private Limited' as the group has winded up all the operations of Shyam Cotton Trading company and has not been taken into consideration from FY2023.
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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 • Consolidation Of Companies: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-60.htm • Default Recognition: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm • Trading Entitie: 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. |
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| *Annexure 2 - List of Entities (applicable for Consolidation or Parent / Group / Govt. Support) |
| Sri Salasar Balaji Textiles Private Limited (SSBTPL)- Wholly Owned Subsidiary |
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