Rating History
Dissemination Date Long-Term Rating Short-Term Rating Outlook Action Rating Watch
06-Feb-26 BBB+ A2 Stable Maintain -
07-Feb-25 BBB+ A2 Stable Maintain -
07-Feb-24 BBB+ A2 Stable Maintain -
09-Feb-23 BBB+ A2 Stable Upgrade -
18-Mar-22 BBB A2 Stable Initial -
About the Entity

Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Limited was incorporated in 1968 and is principally engaged in solvent extraction from oilseeds, oil and ghee refining, and flour milling. The Company operates solvent extraction units with a combined installed capacity of 400 MT/day, an oil refining unit with a capacity of 72 MT/day, a flour mill with total capacity of 240 MT/day, and a ghee mill with a refining capacity of 100 MT/day. The Board is dominated by the sponsoring family and is chaired by Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh, while Mr. Mian Bakhtawar Tanvir Sheikh serves as the Chief Executive Officer.

Rating Rationale

Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Limited (“MMML” or “the Company”) is a prominent participant in Pakistan’s edible oil sector, supported by its established association with a textile sector entity, diversified operations, and the continued backing of its sponsoring family. The assigned ratings are further underpinned by the Company’s presence across multiple business segments and the extensive experience of its sponsors in the edible oil and agriculture sectors, which provides operational diversification and partially mitigates concentration risk. MMML benefits from a long operating history, an experienced management team, and professional oversight of day-to-day operations. Over time, the Company has strengthened its market position through an expanded customer base and broader geographical outreach. The operating environment for Pakistan’s edible oil sector remains challenging, as approximately 90% of domestic edible oil requirements are met through imports—predominantly palm oil—while local production accounts for only around 10%. The sector remains exposed to volatile global commodity prices, elevated import dependency, and exchange rate fluctuations. Against this backdrop, the Company demonstrated operational resilience during FY25. Revenue improved, primarily driven by higher sales across core product lines, supported by relatively better demand conditions compared to the previous year. Despite the improvement in topline performance, gross margins remained under pressure due to elevated raw material costs and intense competition in the local market. However, the adverse impact on profitability was partially offset by a decline in finance costs, primarily due to lower borrowing rate, resulting in an improvement in net profitability. Consequently, the Company reported higher profit after tax compared to FY24. From a financial risk perspective, MMML remains highly leveraged, with short-term borrowings constituting a sizable portion of the overall debt profile. Nonetheless, coverage indicators exhibited relative improvement; however, they remain sensitive to margin volatility. The ratings also factor in the demonstrated support of the sponsoring family, which has historically shown a strong commitment to the business and provides comfort during periods of financial stress. Going forward, the ratings will remain contingent upon the Company’s ability to sustain business volumes, preserve margins amid raw material price volatility, and gradually rationalize leverage, while maintaining adequate liquidity buffers.

Key Rating Drivers

The ratings are dependent on the management's ability to maintain growth in business volumes while sustaining margins and profitability. Prudent management of leveraged capital structure is crucial. Effective changes in governance framework would be beneficial for the ratings.

Profile
Legal Structure

Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Limited (‘Mehmooda Maqbool’ or ‘the Company’) was incorporated on August 30, 1968. as a public unlisted company under the Companies Act, 1913 (now the Companies Act, 2017). It was listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange in 1968 and subsequently delisted later on.


Background


The company’s two edible oil extraction units started operations in 2002 that have been engaged in crushing variety of edible oilseeds. The Company procures Cotton seed, Rapeseed, and Sunflower seed from local suppliers. For edible oil extraction, the Company majorly imports non-GMO Canola from Australia and non-GMO Soybean from Africa. The operations of both units depend upon the availability of the oilseeds and demand for edible oil. The Company has also installed a Ghee and Cooking oil and flour unit as well.


Operations

Solvent extraction units have a combined installed capacity of 400MT/day. Oil refining unit has an installed capacity of 72MT/day. Whereas, the flour mill has total installed capacity of 240MT/day. The Ghee & Cooking Oil Unit has a total combined production capacity of 100MT/day. The Company’s manufacturing facility and Head Office are located at 2-Industrial Estate, Multan.


Ownership
Ownership Structure

Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Limited, a fully owned enterprise of the Maqbool Group, is primarily owned by the sponsoring family, who holds a significant ownership stake.


Stability

The ownership structure of the Company is notably stable, as it is entirely held by the sponsoring family. This consolidated ownership framework minimizes the potential for conflicts and ensures unified decision-making. With all shares vested within the family, the Company benefits from a cohesive vision and a strong commitment to its long-term growth and sustainability.


Business Acumen

The Maqbool Group, founded by a respected business family of Multan, has established a significant presence in the region. Beyond its ownership of Mehmooda Maqbool Mills, the group also maintains notable interests in the textile sector, demonstrating a diversified portfolio within key industries of the local economy. This diversification underscores the family's commitment to the region's economic development. Mr. Bakhtawar, a seasoned businessman and member of the Maqbool family, has recently been elected as the Chairman of the Multan Chamber of Commerce. This appointment highlights his recognized leadership within the business community and further strengthens the family's ties to the local economy. His role as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce positions him to advocate for business interests, promote economic growth in the region, and potentially create synergistic opportunities for the Maqbool Group's various ventures. It also suggests a deep understanding of the local business landscape and a commitment to its advancement.


Financial Strength

Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Ltd. benefits from the financial strength of its parent company, Mehmood Textile Mills, a prominent player in the textile industry. This affiliation with Mehmood Textile Mills, allows the Company to leverage the resources and expertise of a larger and established group. This relationship likely contributes to the company's financial stability and ability to pursue growth opportunities.


Governance
Board Structure

Board comprises of seven members at present, two executive and five non-executive directors. All the members are from the sponsoring family.


Members’ Profile

All the BoDs are experienced individuals. The Board’s Chairman, Mian Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh, is associated with Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Ltd. and Maqbool Group since inception and has more than four decades of business experience.


Board Effectiveness

The Directors are actively involved in the management of the Company to oversee and manage the Company's operations, ensuring direct involvement in strategic and operational decision-making. However, the Board does not currently have any sub-committees in place to provide specialized support or assistance in governance or management functions.


Financial Transparency

The Company’s external auditors, Shinewing Hameed Chaudhri and Co. Chartered Accountants, have expressed unqualified opinion about the financial statements of FY24. Company’s auditors have been QCR rated by ICAP and are also in category ‘B’ of SBP’s panel.


Management
Organizational Structure

Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Ltd. operates through three functional departments: Sales & Marketing, Procurement & Production, and Finance & Administration. Each department is headed by a dedicated director, ensuring focused management and clear accountability within these key areas of the business.


Management Team

The Company’s CEO Mian Bakhtawar Tanvir Sheikh, has an overall working experience of more than 13 years. He has been associated with the Company since inception. Mr. Bakhtawar, a seasoned businessman and member of the Maqbool family, has recently been elected as the Chairman of the Multan Chamber of Commerce. This appointment highlights his recognized leadership within the business community and further strengthens the family's ties to the local economy. His role as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce positions him to advocate for business interests, promote economic growth in the region, and potentially create synergistic opportunities for the Maqbool Group's various ventures. It also suggests a deep understanding of the local business landscape and a commitment to its advancement.


Effectiveness

The effectiveness and efficiency of Mehmooda Maqbool Mills' management team are enhanced through the timely and relevant information provided by its management information system (MIS). A well-functioning MIS plays a crucial role in supporting informed decision-making at all levels of the organization. The management structure currently lacks effectiveness due to the absence of formal management committees. This gap presents an opportunity for improvement, as the establishment of such committees could provide specialized oversight, streamline decision-making processes, and enhance overall governance. By implementing these committees, the Company could achieve more efficient management and better alignment with strategic goals.


MIS

Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Ltd. utilizes an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, a comprehensive software solution that integrates various business processes and data into a unified system. This ERP system likely manages core functions such as finance, manufacturing, sales, and human resources. While the ERP system serves as the central repository for business data, the company's internal dissemination of information takes a more tailored approach. Instead of relying solely on direct access to the ERP system for all employees, the company documents information and generates reports "as per requirement." This suggests a controlled and selective distribution of information.


Control Environment

Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Ltd. conducts regular internal reviews to assess and oversee the effectiveness of its operational controls. These reviews are a critical component of internal governance and risk management, designed to ensure that the company's processes and procedures are functioning as intended.


Business Risk
Industry Dynamics

Edible oil remains one of Pakistan’s largest imported commodities, with the industry marked by substantial importdependence, concentrated consumption patterns, and strong sensitivity to global price trends. Nearly 90% of thecountry’s edible oil is met through imports—primarily palm oil—while local production accounts for only about10%. This heavy reliance has positioned Pakistan among the world’s top three palm oil importers. Indonesia andMalaysia remain the dominant suppliers, underpinning the country’s annual demand of roughly 5 million tonnes ofghee and cooking oil, including 3.5 million tonnes of imported palm oil. During the 5MFY24, Pakistan imported1.319 million tonnes of palm oil valued at USD 1.26 billion, compared to 1.248 million tonnes worth USD 1.17 billionin the same period last year. The sector continues to face cost pressures, with import prices rising to around USD1,100 per tonne in December 2024 from below USD 900 earlier in the year. Over 9MFY25, industry dynamics wereshaped by global trends, as international palm and soybean oil prices averaged USD 1,007/MT and USD 1,097/MT,respectively, prompting corresponding movements in domestic prices. While prices remained elevated in early2025, they eased in the second quarter amid declining inflation and a more stable exchange rate. Consumptionrecovered modestly, supported by population growth and gradual improvement in purchasing power. Sectorrevenues posted a slight YoY increase of around 1%, while gross profitability improved due to better input costmanagement. However, net margins stayed thin, underscoring the industry’s persistent exposure to externalshocks. Looking ahead, the sector is expected to maintain stable performance, supported by a stronger PKR andimproving macroeconomic fundamentals. Nonetheless, long-term resilience will depend on accelerating domesticoilseed cultivation to reduce reliance on global commodity cycles and enhance supply security.


Relative Position

Considering the revenue generated within the edible oil industry in Pakistan, the Company holds a substantial market share. Similarly, the Company has also achieved a significant market share in the flour market.


Revenues

The Company primarily caters to the domestic market, with revenues derived from three key product segments: ghee and cooking oil (37%), flour (34%), and meal (29%). During FY25, the Company reported topline revenue of PKR 14,774 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 9.1% compared to PKR 13,538 million in FY24. This growth was largely driven by a strong increase in flour sales, which rose to PKR 4,965 million in FY25 from PKR 3,698 million in FY24, underscoring the Company’s successful expansion and deeper market penetration in the flour segment.


Margins

During FY25, the Company’s gross profit margin declined due to rising raw material costs, despite an increase in revenues. Consequently, the gross margin decreased to 8.7% from 10.6% in FY24. This margin compression translated into lower operating profitability, with the operating profit margin declining to 6.6% in FY25 from 8.8% in the previous year, primarily reflecting higher operating expenses. Notwithstanding this, the net profit margin improved marginally to 1.0% from 0.8% in FY24, largely supported by a reduction in finance costs, which decreased to PKR 501 million in FY25 from PKR 615 million in FY24.


Sustainability

Over the period, the company has diversified its manufacturing, producing meal as a by-product of edible oil extraction and flour, which has a stable national demand.


Financial Risk
Working capital

Net working capital remained broadly stable at 90 days, primarily reflecting a marginal increase in inventory holding days to 36 days in FY26 from 32 days in FY25. Trade receivable days also lengthened to 71 days from 68 days in FY24. However, this was partly offset by an extension in trade payable days to 18 days from 10 days, resulting in an overall improvement in net working capital days. The Company’s liquidity position, as reflected by the current ratio, stood at 2.8x in FY26 compared to 3.5x in FY24.


Coverages

Funds from operations (FCFO) declined significantly to PKR 386 million in FY25 from PKR 887 million in FY24. As a result, the FCFO-to-finance cost coverage weakened to 0.8x in FY25 from 1.5x in the preceding year. However, supported by a reduction in finance costs, EBITDA-to-finance cost coverage improved to 2.0x in FY25 compared to 1.7x in FY24. Consequently, the debt payback period deteriorated, extending to -1.2x from 0.6x in FY24.


Capitalization

The Company continues to maintain a high leverage profile, with short-term borrowings constituting the majority of total debt at 96.2% in FY25, compared to 93.9% in FY24.


 
 

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(PKR mln)


Jun-25
12M
Jun-24
12M
Jun-23
12M
Management Audited Audited
A. BALANCE SHEET
1. Non-Current Assets 1,385 1,422 1,416
2. Investments 10 10 10
3. Related Party Exposure 0 0 0
4. Current Assets 6,472 4,264 4,318
a. Inventories 1,910 935 1,426
b. Trade Receivables 2,998 2,749 2,306
5. Total Assets 7,867 5,696 5,744
6. Current Liabilities 2,303 1,206 757
a. Trade Payables 947 474 280
7. Borrowings 3,490 2,624 3,332
8. Related Party Exposure 0 0 0
9. Non-Current Liabilities 220 140 22
10. Net Assets 1,854 1,726 1,633
11. Shareholders' Equity 1,854 1,726 1,633
B. INCOME STATEMENT
1. Sales 14,774 13,538 10,780
a. Cost of Good Sold (13,489) (12,107) (9,783)
2. Gross Profit 1,284 1,431 997
a. Operating Expenses (315) (238) (214)
3. Operating Profit 970 1,193 783
a. Non Operating Income or (Expense) (20) (202) (32)
4. Profit or (Loss) before Interest and Tax 950 992 751
a. Total Finance Cost (501) (615) (377)
b. Taxation (308) (270) (149)
6. Net Income Or (Loss) 141 107 225
C. CASH FLOW STATEMENT
a. Free Cash Flows from Operations (FCFO) 386 887 634
b. Net Cash from Operating Activities before Working Capital Changes (118) 288 298
c. Changes in Working Capital (269) 477 (1,606)
1. Net Cash provided by Operating Activities (387) 764 (1,307)
2. Net Cash (Used in) or Available From Investing Activities (128) (52) (71)
3. Net Cash (Used in) or Available From Financing Activities 666 (708) 1,428
4. Net Cash generated or (Used) during the period 151 5 50
D. RATIO ANALYSIS
1. Performance
a. Sales Growth (for the period) 9.1% 25.6% 14.6%
b. Gross Profit Margin 8.7% 10.6% 9.2%
c. Net Profit Margin 1.0% 0.8% 2.1%
d. Cash Conversion Efficiency (FCFO adjusted for Working Capital/Sales) 0.8% 10.1% -9.0%
e. Return on Equity [ Net Profit Margin * Asset Turnover * (Total Assets/Shareholders' Equity )] 7.9% 6.4% 16.5%
2. Working Capital Management
a. Gross Working Capital (Average Days) 107 100 102
b. Net Working Capital (Average Days) 90 90 95
c. Current Ratio (Current Assets / Current Liabilities) 2.8 3.5 5.7
3. Coverages
a. EBITDA / Finance Cost 2.0 1.7 2.2
b. FCFO / Finance Cost+CMLTB+Excess STB 0.7 1.4 1.6
c. Debt Payback (Total Borrowings+Excess STB) / (FCFO-Finance Cost) -1.2 0.6 0.7
4. Capital Structure
a. Total Borrowings / (Total Borrowings+Shareholders' Equity) 65.3% 60.3% 67.1%
b. Interest or Markup Payable (Days) 72.1 64.7 91.0
c. Entity Average Borrowing Rate 16.2% 20.3% 14.1%

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