Issuer Profile
Profile
Founded
in 1988, Ismail Industries Limited ('ISIL' or 'the Company') was incorporated
as a public listed Company in 1989. Mr. Muhammad Ismail, in partnership with
his brothers, founded Ismail Industries, which has since become the largest
manufacturer and exporter of confectionery products in Pakistan. The Company's
flagship brand, Candyland, operates within the confectionery sector. Over the
years, Ismail Industries has diversified its portfolio through horizontal
expansion, introducing brands such as Bisconni (specializing in biscuits and
cookies) and SnackCity (offering chips, peanuts, and other snacks). The Company
has made backward integration by ensuring top-quality all-purpose flour (maida)
for Bisconni and established Ghiza Flour. Additionally, the Company has pursued
vertical integration with the establishment of Astro Plastics, which
specializes in the production of BOPET, CPP and BOPP films. Ismail Industries
Limited (ISIL), headquartered in Karachi, operates ten production facilities
located across key industrial zones, including Hub, Port Qasim. The Company’s
operations are divided into two main segments: Food and Plastics. For FY25,
ISIL reported a production capacity of 316,416 MT (FY24: 298,356 MT) in the
Food division, reflecting an enhancement of 18,060 MT, while the Plastics
division maintained a capacity of 63,000 MT (FY23: 63,000 MT). Actual
production stood at 201,769 MT (FY24: 192,644 MT) for Food and 36,435 MT (FY24:
35,580 MT) for Plastics. This translates into capacity utilization rates of
approximately 63% (FY24: 65%) for Food and 57% (FY24: 56%) for Plastics,
indicating potential for further production optimization in both segments.
ISIL’s strategic initiative to establish its ‘Bisconni’ wholly owned subsidiary
in Abu Dhabi, UAE, represents a commendable move to tap into the lucrative MENA
confectionery market.
Ownership
The
majority ownership of the Company is held by the Ismail family, with the shares
distributed among three brothers and their families. The ownership breakdown is
as follows: Mr. Maqsood Ismail owns ~0.8%, his wife, Ms. Almas Maqsood, holds
~29.8%, and their son, Mr. Hamid Maqsood Ismail, owns ~2.2%. Mr. Muhammad M.
Ismail holds ~15.7%, his wife, Ms. Farzana Muhammad, owns ~2.0%, and their son,
Mr. Ahmed Muhammad, has ~15.2% stake. Mr. Miftah Ismail owns ~31.0%, with his
wife, Ms. Reema Ismail Ahmed, holding ~1.9%. The remaining minority ownership
is held by associated entities, including Uniron Industries Private Limited
~0.6% and other stakeholders ~0.4% and free float. The ownership structure of
Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL) reflects a high degree of stability, with the
majority stake held by the Ismail family. Under the long-standing leadership of
Mr. Muhammad Ismail, who brings extensive industry experience, the Company
benefits from a seasoned and consistent management approach. The sponsors of
Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL) bring over four decades of operational
experience, contributing deep-rooted industry expertise and insight to the
Company's strategic direction. The sponsors including the followings: Mr.
Muhammad M. Ismail did his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University
of Florida, USA in 1974. He joined the family concern Union Biscuits and served
as a director till 1989 when he established Ismail Industries Limited. As
Chairman of IIL, he oversees all aspects of management including production,
sales and distribution, marketing, and expansion and acquisitions. Mr. Maqsood
Ismail, awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, holds degree of B.S. in Economics from the
University of Delaware, USA. Currently, he is a Director of Ismail Industries
Limited. Mr. Maqsood Ismail was the Chairman of the Export Processing Zones
Authority, Pakistan. He has also been Vice President of the Federation of the
Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan and a Chairman of Yarn Merchants
Association of Pakistan and President of Lasbela Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ahmed
Muhammad Ismail completed his graduation from George Washington University
(USA), majoring in the field of Economics. As part of the new vision of the
Company, Ahmed Ismail has been assigned the role of Chief of Candyland and
Ismail Nutrition Business divisions of the Company, where he has been active in
modernizing the business while bringing in a more object-oriented approach to
managing the Company. As part of the new vision of the Company, Hamid Ismail
has been assigned the role of Chief of Bisconni and SnackCity Business
Division, where his achievements include rapid growth in the topline of the
business while improving the overall profitability of both segments of the
Company. He has a deep interest in improving the technological capabilities of
the Company and implementing the accounting software. Dr. Miftah Ismail holds a
PhD in Public Finance and Political Economy from the Wharton School of
Business, University of Pennsylvania. A professional economist, he worked at
the IMF before coming back to Pakistan. He has a proven track record of leading
some of the exciting names in the Country including Chairman- Suit Northern Gas
Company Pakistan, Director Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (2013 –
present), Vice Chairman Punjab Board of Investment and Trade – 2012. He is the
President of Karachi American School, and is a member of the Advisory Committee
of the Institute of Business Administration and has also been a visiting
faculty member at the I.B.A. Under this dynamic leadership, Ismail Industries
Limited has achieved remarkable success in the confectionery market while also
demonstrating excellence in expanding into new business ventures. In addition
to being a major player in the confectionery, biscuits and snacks industry, the
Group has interests in plastic films, cereals, flour and pharmaceutical.
Governance
The Company's Board of Directors is primarily composed of
members from the sponsoring family, totaling seven individuals. This
composition includes the Chairman, two non-executive directors, two executive
directors, and two independent directors. Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL)
benefits from a strong and experienced board of directors. The board members
possess diverse expertise, including industrial engineering and economics, as
well as a deep understanding of the confectionery, biscuits, and snacks industry.
The member’s profile of the Company includes the followings: Mr. Munsarim Saif
did his Bachelors of Engineering from N.E.D. University of Engineering and
Technology, Pakistan. He worked for Pakistan International Airlines prior to
joining Ismail Industries Limited. Currently, he is the Chief Executive Officer
of Ismail Industries Limited. He played for the National Table Tennis Team for
many years and was Pakistan’s Table Tennis champion in 1984. He has been with
the Company since its inception and played a key role in setting up the
business. Mr. Ahmed Muhammad Ismail serving as an executive director of the
Company, completed his graduation from George Washington University (USA),
majoring in the field of Economics. As part of the new vision of the Company,
Ahmed Ismail has been assigned the role of Chief of Candyland and Ismail
Nutrition Business divisions of the Company, where he has been active in
modernizing the business while bringing in a more object-oriented approach to
managing the Company. Apart from business, he also has a keen interest in golf.
Mr. Muhammad Zubair Motiwala served as a former independent director in the
Company and was replaced by Mr. Muhammad Zain. Ms. Tasneem Yusuf, serving as an
independent director of the Company, is a chartered accountant from ICAP, a
fellow member of ACCA and a CPA. After working for Unilever Pakistan, she moved
to Dubai and worked for both Deloitte and Nasdaq Dubai. Since moving back in
2009, she has been associated with her family practice where she now heads the
audit and assurance services department. Ms. Tasneem Yusuf serves as a board
member of Ismail Industries Limited, Reliance Insurance Company Limited, B.F.
Modaraba, Faran Sugar Mills Limited, Pakistan Industrial Development
Corporation and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (Private) Limited. She
serves ICAP as a member of its Auditing Standards & Ethics Board. Ms. Yusuf
has completed the directors training program and the directors training program
for State Owned Enterprises from the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance
(PICG). Mr. Muhammad M. Ismail serving as a non-executive director in the
Company, did his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida,
USA in 1974. He joined the family concern Union Biscuits and served as a director
till 1989 when he established Ismail Industries Limited. As Chairman of IIL, he
oversees all aspects of management including production, sales and
distribution, marketing, and expansion and acquisitions. He also has a keen
interest in bridge and is an avid golfer. Mr. Maqsood Ismail was the Chairman
of the Export Processing Zones Authority, Pakistan. He has also been Vice
President of the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of
Pakistan and a Chairman of Yarn Merchants Association of Pakistan and President
of Lasbela Chamber of Commerce. He was also on the board of IDBP, and is now a
trustee of the Karachi Port Trust. He was also on the Board of Port Qasim
Authority. He was awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (one of the highest civil awards) by
the Government of Pakistan in recognition of his services to the community. Mr.
Hamid Maqsood Ismail, serving as a non-executive director of the Company
completed his graduation from Middlesex Univeristy (London, UK) majoring in the
field of Business Administration and masters from Oxford University. As part of
the new vision of the Company, Hamid Ismail has been assigned the role of Chief
of Bisconni and SnackCity Business Division, where his achievements include rapid
growth in the topline of the business while improving the overall profitability
of both segments of the Company. He has a deep interest in improving the
technological capabilities of the Company and implementing the accounting
software. Under the leadership and guidance of the experienced board, ISIL is
well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities and deliver long-term
value to its shareholders. During FY25, the Board of Directors convened four
meetings, all of which were duly attended by every Board member, including Mr.
Muhammad M. Ismail, Mr. Maqsood Ismail Ahmed, Mr. Munsarim Saifullah, Mr. Hamid
Maqsood Ismail, Mr. Ahmed Muhammad, Mr. Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, and Ms.
Tasneem Yusuf. The governance framework of Ismail Industries Limited was
further enhanced by the Human Resource & Remuneration Committee
(HR&RC), chaired by Mr. Muhammad Zubair Motiwala (Currently, Mr. Muhammad
Zain), and the Board Audit Committee (BAC), chaired by Ms. Tasneem Yusuf,
further enhance the governance framework for IIIL, ensuring comprehensive
oversight and strategic alignment. The Company complies with financial
reporting and corporate governance framework under the Listed Companies (Code
of Corporate Governance) Regulations 2019 and the Companies Act, 2017. Grant
Thornton Anjum Rahman Chartered Accountants are the external auditors of the
Company. They gave an unqualified opinion on the Company’s financial statements
for the year ended June 30, 2025. This reflects a high level of Company's
financial reporting integrity. Grant Thornton Anjum Rahman Chartered
Accountants are QCR-rated firm and is listed in the State Bank of Pakistan’s
category ‘A’ panel of auditors.
Management
Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL) maintains a clear
organizational structure, with centralized functions such as Accounts &
Finance, Human Resources, IT, and Supply Chain supporting the entire
organization. Meanwhile, Sales and Marketing departments are tailored to meet
the specific needs of each brand, allowing for targeted brand strategies and
operational efficiency. Mr. Munsarim Saifullah, the Group CEO of Ismail
Industries Limited (ISIL), holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from NED
University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan. A long-standing associate
of the founding sponsors, Mr. Saifullah has been integral to the Company since
its inception, bringing extensive expertise in production and engineering. Mr.
Ahmed Raza Parekh (FCA, CIA) serves as the group CFO of the Company. His
pivotal role entails spearheading and regulating all aspects of the Accounts,
Finance, Costing, Budgeting & Taxation function. He is supported by a team
of seasoned professionals, reinforcing ISIL’s leadership and operational
capabilities. The Company has no management committees in place. However,
members of the senior management regularly communicate and discuss ongoing
issues and upcoming plans relating to relevant brands and management functions.
The Company has now moved from SAP to SAP S/4HANA and success factors on cloud.
Multiple cloud service provider solutions have been reviewed and evaluated by
the Board and finalized one cloud service provider. The inclusion of SAP S/4
Hana has made a remarkable impact on day-to-day operations, especially data
management and presentation and has helped the Company to have more control
over the business operations and expand the Company's long-term initiatives. All
of the Company's products are ISO 22000 certified and have received Halal
certifications from SANHA. Oversight and effective management are ensured
through the internal audit department, which diligently monitors the Company’s
various functions and internal controls. This department reports directly to
the Board’s Audit Committee, providing an additional layer of accountability.
The Board’s Audit Committee Led by Ms. Tasneem Yusuf. While performing risk
oversight functions, the Board’s audit committee also evaluates cybersecurity
risks. Internal Audit department regularly performs network and cyber security
audits, the results of which are presented to the Board’s Audit Committee.
Business Risk
In Pakistan, the domestic convenience food market is
growing, with a 4.2% CAGR forecast for 2025-2033.Distribution meets
international standards in cities, but expansion opportunities exist in smaller
areas. Retail is fragmented; however, large chains are emerging, potentially
changing consumer habits. The CPI’s year-on-year increase is 4.5% as of
FY2024-25, signaling a slowdown in inflation. This impacts consumer spending, especially
on convenience foods, as price hikes in essentials continue. Companies must
adapt to these economic shifts to maintain market share. The Condiments
category in Urban and Rural inflation levels contributed~9.6% and ~9.2%,
respectively, as of 5MFY25. The Company’s portfolio boasts significant market
share across its brands, with ‘Cocomo’ standing as the flagship product under
the ‘Bisconni’ umbrella. Recent product innovations in the Candyland range—such
as Jelly World, Sour Bites, Pizza Jelly, Sweet Bear, Orangy Jelly, Biggy,
Buttons, Bisca, Puffs, Cloud9, Punch Candy, and You Chocolate have further
strengthened its market position. Premium Bisconni offerings, including Divine,
Mi Amor, Daydream, Digestive, Perfetto, and Chip Hop, also experienced notable
sales growth. Additionally, Ghiza and Ismail Nutrition products contributed to
higher sales, with the Company’s LNS (Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement) products
providing a distinct competitive edge in the market. The Company employs
segment reporting for its revenue, divided into two primary segments: Food and
Plastics. The revenue mix for 3MFY26 stood at ~25.1 billion, with ~PKR 25.6
billion from local sales and ~PKR 3.4 billion from exports, compared to 3MFY25’s
~PKR 25.9 billion, where ~PKR 16.5 billion was generated domestically and ~PKR
12.5 billion through exports, reflecting a clear strategic and operational
realignment toward the domestic market. The diversity in the revenue stems
from well-established brands such as Candyland, Bisconni, SnackCity, Ismail
Nutrition, Ghiza Flour, and Astro Films. These brands collectively enable the
Company to capture a broad consumer base across multiple product categories,
supporting both mass-market and specialized demand. The strong brand equity
also allows the Company to maintain pricing power, enhance market penetration,
and sustain its competitive positioning across domestic and export markets.
Additionally, the multi-brand structure helps mitigate concentration risk by
balancing performance across various product lines and geographies. The Gross
Profit Margin decreased to 18.8% in 3MFY26 (down from 22.6% in 3MFY25), while
the Operating Profit Margin saw a more notable reduction to 8.4% (from 12.3% in
3MFY25), suggesting a moderation in overall operational efficiency amid
pressure from elevated input costs. Consequently, Net Profit stood at ~PKR 1.06
billion in 3MFY26, compared to ~PKR 1.44 billion in the corresponding period
last year. Notwithstanding the constraint on top-line earnings growth and
margin compression, the decline in profitability was partially mitigated by
effective financial management and cost control, evidenced by a significant
reduction in finance costs, which decreased to ~PKR 1.15 billion in 3MFY26 from
~PKR 1.67 billion in 3MFY25. The Company is consistently committed to
optimizing its operations and has introduced some premium products. Also, the
Company has introduced some new business lines. Apart from this, the Company is
planning to establish its new “Bisconni Middle East Manufacturing LLC” wholly
owned subsidiary, in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E with a total investment of up to $10mln.
The Company has made an equity investment of PKR 3,937,500,000 in Ismail Resin
to set up a Recycle Polyester Resin (PET Resin) manufacturing facility with a
capacity of 24,000 tons per annum. This initiative aligns with the Company’s
commitment to sustainability and innovation, positioning it as a key player in
the growing recycled materials market. Additionally, the Company has secured
significant contracts with major global brands, including Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and
Nestlé. These partnerships are expected to drive growth and reinforce the
Company's market presence, further enhancing its reputation as a reliable and
progressive industry leader.
Financial Risk
The
Company's working capital requirements, which comprise inventory, trade
receivables, and trade payables, are strategically financed through a
combination of internal cash generation and short-term debt facilities. During 3MFY26,
working capital management yielded mixed outcomes, prompting an elongation of
the Gross Working Capital days to ~112 days (up from ~97 days in 3MFY25). This
extension was primarily driven by a noticeable stretch in inventory holding
days. Conversely, the Net Working Capital days also saw elongation (3MFY26: ~80
days), from ~71 days in the corresponding period last year, reflected by the
extension of payable days. The overall lengthening of the receivable cycle
combined with the extension in payable days suggests a potential increase in
the Cash Conversion Cycle. The Free Cash Flow from Operations (FCFO) declined
substantially, settling at ~PKR 2.9 billion (down from ~PKR 3.7 billion in 3MFY25).
This significant drop indicates weaker cash generation from core operations and
suggests a decline in operational efficiency. Despite this decline in cash
flow, the Interest Coverage Ratio (FCFO over Finance Costs) improved
significantly to ~2.6x in 3MFY26 from ~2.3x in 3MFY25. This counterintuitive
improvement is directly attributable to the substantial reduction in Finance
Costs, which decreased from ~PKR 1.67 billion in 3MFY25 to PKR 1.15 billion in 3MFY26.
The reduction in finance costs, due to a reduction in effective interest rates,
indicates improved financial efficiency and an enhanced ability to meet
interest obligations from cash flows. In summary, the Company exhibits a
dichotomy in its financial coverage metrics for FY25. While effective
management of the debt portfolio has lowered the cost of borrowing, the
fundamental operational weakness needs to be addressed to ensure sustainable
long-term financial health and improved ability to repay the total debt burden.
The Company maintains a highly leveraged capital structure. Total Borrowings
saw an increase from ~PKR 53.2 billion in 3MFY25 to ~PKR 56.9 billion in 3MFY26,
indicating an aggressive funding strategy, deployed to finance growth
initiatives. Long-Term borrowings rose from ~PKR 18.4 billion to ~PKR 24.3
billion, underscoring an expanded reliance on external, longer-duration
financing to fund core operations and capital expenditure. Overall, management
should prioritize leveraging the improved borrowing terms to de-risk the
capital structure over the long term, potentially by using lower-cost debt to
strategically pay down the higher-cost components or by prioritizing equity
financing for future expansion
Instrument Rating Considerations
About the Instrument
The Company intends to issue 6th-rated, privately placed, unsecured short-term Sukuk amounting to PKR 8,000 million inclusive of a PKR 3 billion green-shoe option, in February 2026 to finance its working capital requirements. The instrument carries a tenor of six months and offers a profit rate of 3MK, with both profit and principal payable in full at maturity.
Relative Seniority/Subordination of Instrument
The instrument is unsecured.
Credit Enhancement
Facility Covenants are mutually agreed between the Issuer and the Financial advisors and arrangers in the Facility Documents. All applicable Regulations and Guidelines issue by the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (“SECP”).
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