Issuer Profile
Profile
Select Technologies (Private)
Limited (referred to as "SELECT" or "the Company") was
incorporated in Pakistan on October 13, 2021, as a private limited company
under the Companies Act, 2017. The Company's registered head office is located
at 152-1-M, Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Area, Kot Lakhpat, Lahore, Punjab,
Pakistan. SELECT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Link Communication
Limited. The Company was established to realize the sponsors' vision of setting
up a state-of-the-art mobile phone assembly plant in Pakistan, to promote 'Made
in Pakistan' products, and to create employment opportunities. SELECT has
forged a strategic partnership with global smartphone leader Xiaomi to assemble
a range of popular smartphone brands and models locally in Pakistan. The
Company’s primary business is establishing, operating, and managing facilities
for the assembly and production of mobile phones of various types and
specifications. The Company's factory spans over 120,000 sq. ft. of closed
space, including 60,000 sq. ft. of clean room area, with an annual production
capacity of approximately 2.7 million units based on a single-shift operation.
In FY25, the Company assembled approximately 2 million mobile devices,
reflecting a capacity utilization rate of around 75%.
Ownership
The Company is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Air Link Communication Limited, holding approximately 99.99% of
the shares, with the remaining minor stake owned by individual investors. The
ownership structure of the Company is deemed stable, with the majority stake
held by the parent company, and no significant changes are anticipated in the
near future. The sponsoring family plays an active role in the group’s related
businesses and possesses a deep understanding of the industry. Under their
leadership, the parent company has experienced substantial growth over the
years, a success that is also reflected in the performance of Select
Technologies (Pvt.) Limited. The sponsors of the Company do not hold any
shareholding in other companies, which contributes to a focused financial
position. As a result, the financial strength of the sponsors is considered to
be adequate. The parent company (AIRLINK) is in the phase of establishing a new
state-of-the-art facility at Sundar Green Special Economic Zone (SGSEZ),
Lahore. The project spans eight (8) acres with 1.4 million sq. ft. of
purpose-built infrastructure, of which three (3) acres are owned by AIRLINK and
five (5) acres by its wholly owned subsidiary, Select Technologies (Pvt.)
Limited. The facility will integrate a 1 megawatt (MW) solar power generation
system, which will reduce cost of production, lower the Company’s carbon
footprint, and support long-term sustainable operations. The facility is
expected to commence commercial operations by end of 2025. By operating within
the SGSEZ framework, AIRLINK will benefit from ten (10) years of fiscal
incentives, enhancing competitiveness and long-term growth. In line with its
strategic vision, the new facility is designed to support future exports of
mobile phones, laptops, LED TVs, electronics, home appliances, and other
high-tech products by international brands from Pakistan, reinforcing AIRLINK’s
role in strengthening the country’s industrial and export base.
Governance
The board of Select Technologies
(Pvt.) Limited comprises five members: Mr. Muzzaffar Hayat Paracha (Group CEO/
Director), Mr. Amir Mehmood (Group CFO / Director), Mr. Adnan Aftab (CEO of
SELECT), Ms. Hina Sarwat (Director), and Mr. Syed Nafees Haider (Director). The
board members are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in managing
business operations. Mr. Muzzaffar Hayat serves as the Chairman of the Board,
bringing over two decades of leadership experience. The Company has established
both an Audit Committee and an HR & Remuneration Committee to enhance board
effectiveness. Additionally, the inclusion of a female director on the board
strengthens the Company's commitment to a diverse and effective governance
structure. The Company's external auditors, M/s BDO Ebrahim & Co. Chartered
Accountants, are listed in Category 'A' on the SBP’s panel of auditors. They
issued an unqualified opinion on the Company’s financial statements for the
year ended June 30, 2025, affirming the Company’s compliance with applicable
policies and accounting standards.
Management
The organizational structure of
the Company is organized into various functional departments, with each
department head reporting directly to the CEO, who in turn reports to the Group
CEO. Within each department, a clear management hierarchy is in place, allowing
for streamlined operations and efficient execution of tasks. The management of
the Company consists of qualified and experienced professionals. Mr. Adnan
Aftab, the CEO, holds a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering and brings
over three decades of experience with leading companies. He is supported by a
team of skilled professionals across various divisions, ensuring efficient
operations and smooth reporting. Each department head is responsible for
managing the operations of the irrespective department. Clearly defined roles
and responsibilities within the organization contribute to the overall
effectiveness of the organizational structure. The Company has implemented an
integrated SAP system, comprising various modules. Management Information
System (MIS) reports are generated frequently for senior management, providing
detailed insights for informed decision-making. The Company has established an
in-house internal audit function to assess and report on risks arising from its
operations.
Business Risk
Pakistan has emerged as one of
the fastest-growing cellular markets. The devaluation of the currency against
the USD in the preceding year, coupled with a rise in duty structure, has
significantly amplified the prices of imported phones, exerting pressure on the
demand for high-end mobile phones. In 10MCY25, local mobile production reached
~25.11 million units (CY24: ~31.38 million units, CY23: ~21.28 million units),
comprising around 12 million 2G devices and ~13 million smartphones as per the
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Conversely, imports increased YoY to
~1.7 million units in 10MCY25 (CY24: ~1.71 million units). Currently, there are
four top distributor chains in the country, with Airlink ranking number one.
SELECT is one of the foremost mobile phone assemblers in the country. The
Company collaborates with the globally renowned brand Xiaomi to assemble and
distribute its smartphones in the local markets of Pakistan. This partnership
with Xiaomi underscores SELECT's leading position in the industry over the
years and its commitment to providing high-quality products to consumers. During
FY25, the Company showed a decline of ~33.4% in its topline and recorded a net
sale of ~PKR 48,893mln (FY24: ~PKR 73,460mln). However, the Company’s margins
improved at all levels, with gross, operating, and net margins recorded at
approximately 8.3%, 8.0%, and 3.3%, respectively. The improvement in margins during FY25 and 1QFY26 was primarily
driven by a reduction in cost of goods sold (COGS), enhanced operational
efficiency, and higher non-core income. This performance trend continued into 1QFY26, during which the
Company reported net sales of ~PKR 11,332mln. The sustainability of the Company
is affirmed by SELECT's association with Xiaomi Corp., the Global Consumer
Electronics & Smartphone Giant, as its manufacturing partner for Xiaomi
smartphones in Pakistan. Xiaomi is the world’s second-largest vendor by handset
shipments. Thus, boding well for the sustainable and quality technology
accessible to everyone in Pakistan. Furthermore, the Company has also started
the assembly of Xiaomi Smart TVs, which will diversify the product portfolio
and augment the revenue streams of SELECT.
Financial Risk
The Company’s working capital
requirement emanates from financing inventory. Since the imposition of SBP's
directive to maintain a 100% margin for Line of Credit (LC), working capital
needs shall remain high. The average gross working capital days of the Company
increased and stood at ~100 in 1QFY26 (FY25: 77, FY24: 27, FY23: 90),
reflecting a temporary buildup in inventory and receivables following the
launch of new models. Similarly, the average net working capital days of the
Company stood at ~61 in 1QFY26 (FY25: 34, FY24: 8, FY23: 45). Furthermore, Free
cash flow from operations (FCFO) improved and was recorded at ~PKR 1,853mln in 1QFY26
(FY25: ~PKR 3,448mln, FY24: ~PKR 3,845mln, FY23: ~PKR 1,359mln), supported by
consistent operating cash generation. Core operating coverages of the Company improved
during the review period (1QFY25: 2.8x, FY25: 1.2x, FY24: 1.9x, FY23: 1.2x). In
1QFY26, the core coverage ratio also increased to 3.6x (FY25: 1.6, FY24: 2.6x,
FY23: 1.7x). Debt payment capacity currently remains comfortable. Total debt of
the Company remained stable in 1QFY26 and was recorded at ~PKR 12,299mln (FY25:
~PKR 12,902mln, FY24: ~PKR 9,351mln, FY23: ~PKR 4,528mln). The Company has a
leveraged capital structure. In 1QFY26, the leveraging ratio decreased and stood
at 57.9% due to a decrease in long-term borrowings (FY25: 61.2%, FY24: 58.0%,
FY23: 54.2%). Most of the debt book is composed of short-term loans to manage
working capital needs. Pertaining to the high-leveraged capital structure,
PACRA will monitor the maintenance of full coverage of free cash flows
from operations (FCFO) to gross sukuk obligations and preserving the desired
level of leverage on a consolidated basis. The Company plans to issue a new
short-term sukuk of PKR 3.5bln to support its working capital needs for CKD
imports. This facility will effectively be a substitute of STL’s PPSTS-II of
PKR 3.5bln, which is nearing redemption as its DPA has been filled completely. This
strategic arrangement reflects the Company’s proactive financial management,
prudent liquidity planning, and commitment to maintaining an optimal funding
structure through seamless alignment of short- and long-term financing needs.
Instrument Rating Considerations
About the Instrument
Select Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd.
is set to issue its fourth Rated, Secured, Privately Placed, Short-term Sukuk-IV
of PKR 3.5bln, marking a strategic financial move for the Company. The Sukuk
carries a markup at 6MK+1.20% with a tenor of six months. The repayment of
principal and markup will be done in a bullet upon maturity. The purpose
of the instrument is to finance the Company’s working capital requirements,
primarily for importing CKDs used in mobile phone assembly.
Relative Seniority/Subordination of Instrument
The underlying instrument is
secured by a ranking charge over the Current Assets of the company.
Additionally, a Corporate Guarantee (“CG”) is also provided by Airlink
Communication Limited (Parent) to be equivalent to the outstanding issue size
plus any accrued markup in favor of the Investment Agent for the benefit of
Privately Placed Short Term Sukuk's holders during the tenor of the Issue.
Credit Enhancement
The Issue shall be redeemed in
three (3) equal installments of one-third (1/3) each of the Issue Amount as presented
in the below table. The first installment shall be payable at the end of the
fourth (4th) month from the Issue Date, the second installment at the end of
the fifth (5th) month from the Issue Date, and the final installment at the end
of the sixth (6th) month from the Issue Date. On each redemption date, the
Issuer shall also pay the profit accrued for the relevant period.
|
Redemption Dates
|
Amount (PKR)
|
|
4 months from the Issue
Date ("Redemption Date 1")
|
1,166,666,667
|
|
5 months from the Issue
Date ("Redemption Date 2")
|
1,166,666,667
|
|
6 months from the Issue
Date ("Redemption Date 3")
|
1,166,666,666
|
|
Total
|
3,500,000,000
|
The Issuer shall maintain and
efficiently manage Debt Payment Account (“DPA”) under lien of the Investment
Agent. For each redemption/repayment, the Issuer shall deposit into the DPA an
amount equivalent to the upcoming principal installment, no later than three
(3) days prior to the corresponding Redemption Dates as shown in the table
below:
|
DPA Deposit Schedule
|
Amount (PKR)
|
|
3 days before Redemption
Date 1
|
1,166,666,667
|
|
3 days before Redemption
Date 2
|
1,166,666,667
|
|
3 days before Redemption
Date 3
|
1,166,666,666
|
|
Total
|
3,500,000,000
|
|