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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
14-Jun-18

Analyst
Ayesha Qasim
ayesha.qasim@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com

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This press release is being transmitted for the sole purpose of dissemination through print/electronic media. The press release may be used in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof with due credit to PACRA

PACRA Maintains Entity Ratings of Amreli Steels Limited

Rating Type Entity
Current
(14-Jun-18 )
Previous
(29-Dec-17 )
Action Maintain Maintain
Long Term A A
Short Term A1 A1
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

The ratings reflect continuous improvement in Amreli Steels' business profile supplemented by strong local demand fundamentals. Post imposition of anti-dumping duty, business margins strengthened during 9MFY18. Meanwhile, financial risk profile has depicted sustained improvement supplemented by strong cash flows and low leveraged capital structure; resulting in strong debt service coverages. The company is simultaneously working on two expansion projects which would result in capacity enhancement to 750,000tpa. of re-rolling and 600,000tpa. of billets by end-FY19. Amreli has already achieved 605,000tpa. of re-rolling capacity in Apr-18 and 400,000tpa. billets capacity in Dec-17. Capacity additions by competitors is likely to heat up competition, herein, effective and timely management of capacity expansion remains important for Amreli. The company has stepped up efforts to ensure supportive supply chain to utilize enhanced capacities in a timely manner. Meanwhile, regulatory protection to the finished product (rebar) is an added advantage for the sector; continuation of the same is important to generate good business margins. The company has streamlined its organizational structure; senior executives with relevant expertise are being engaged to meet needs of growing business, this is likely to bring operational efficiencies. The ratings draw comfort from strong business acumen of Amreli Steels' sponsors - Akberali Family - and business prospects which directly correlate to expected domestic infrastructure activity.

The ratings are dependent on the management's ability to sustain its business profile while benefiting from positive demand fundamentals. Effective implementation of upgraded ERP system and strengthening of human resource is vital. Moreover, prudent management of financial affairs remains important.

About the Entity
Amreli Steels Limited, incorporated in 1984, obtained listing on Pakistan Stock Exchange on Dec 1st, 2015. The company is majority owned by Akberali family (75%), followed by financial institutions (13%) and general public (12%). Sponsoring family carries over six decades of experience in steel and allied business. Amreli Steels operates a re-rolling mill (capacity: 605,000tpa) and a billet manufacturing plant (capacity: 400,000tpa).

Amreli Steels has a seven-member board of directors; four are from the sponsoring family while three are independent members. Mr. Abbas Akberali - the founding member - holds the position of Chairman, whereas his son, Mr. Shayan Akberali is the CEO of the company. The management team carries extensive relevant experience and is long associated with the company.

The primary function of PACRA is to evaluate the capacity and willingness of an entity to honor its obligations. Our ratings reflect an independent, professional and impartial assessment of the risks associated with a particular instrument or an entity. PACRA's comprehensive offerings include instrument and entity credit ratings, insurer financial strength ratings, fund ratings, asset manager ratings and real estate gradings. PACRA opinion is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, in as much as it does not comment on the security's market price or suitability for a particular investor.