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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
29-Mar-19

Analyst
Sehar Fatima
sehar.fatima@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 Pioneer Cement Limited

Rating Type Entity
Current
(29-Mar-19 )
Previous
(18-Dec-18 )
Action Maintain Maintain
Long Term A A
Short Term A1 A1
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

Pioneer Cement has a single manufacturing capacity, located near khushab in north region. The Company’s sales are majorly driven by local market fundamental – an industry wide phenomenon. However, Pioneer exported a minuscule part to India and Afghanistan - viable export markets given geographical location of the company. Industry wide exports (sizeable increase in South Region) have gone up due to muted growth in local demand. A new export window is created in Bangladesh market. Previously, cement exports were seen at its peak after financial crisis in 2008. Upcoming industry wide expansions of 11.7mln tpa (North Region only) commissioning by Sep-19 and slowdown in the growth of local demand seems a challenge. The demand needs to be up to secure companies’ margin. During 1HFY19, industry dynamics reflect weakening on account of global fluctuation in prices of raw material (coal), depreciation of Pak Rupee, lower retention prices (especially in north region) and higher financing expenses. Lately, the coal prices showed downward trend due to cutdown of imports by China - which are expected to remain range bound in medium term. The aforementioned factors have affected the company’s sales and corresponding costs; which resulted in declining margins of Pioneer. The upcoming energy projects (12MW WHRPP and 24MW coal power plant) are likely to assist bottom-line in future through power cost savings. The company’s brown-field expansion – 2.2mln tpa – is expected to commission in 4QFY19. This will supplement company’s business profile given higher capacity utilization and adequate channeling of production. The leveraging is expected to surge further in medium term on account of debt-driven expansion. The ratings also draw comfort from sponsor's financial strength.
The ratings are dependent on the management's ability to improve its business vis-à-vis financial risk profile and optimal utilization of existing lines. Timely repayment of long term financing is essential in current stretched economic scenario - challenges on demand front - remains vital for ratings.

About the Entity
Pioneer Cement is an affiliate of Mega group. The group owns 47% stake in Pioneer Cement through Vision Holding Middle East Limited. The group, led by Mr. Habibullah Khan, has key interest in shipping and logistics business, in addition to exposure in real estate, ports terminal), food and energy sectors. Pioneer Cement is listed on PSX and has a well spread shareholding pattern.

The overall control of the Company vests in eight-member board of directors including the MD/CEO. Four non-executive directors represent Mega group, two are independent members, while remaining two are executive directors. The lately appointed MD, Mr. Arif Dar, is Chartered Accountant and carries over three decades of diverse experience. He is supported by an experienced management team.

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.