Heranba Industries Ltd
NSE:HERANBA

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Heranba Industries Ltd
NSE:HERANBA
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Price: 223.06 INR -1.29% Market Closed
Market Cap: ₹8.9B

Earnings Call Transcript

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Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day and welcome to the Q3 and 9M FY '23 Results Conference Call of Heranba Industries Limited hosted by Emkay Global Financial Services. We have with us today Mr. Raghuram K. Shetty, Managing Director; Mr. Raunak R. Shetty, Executive Director; and Mr. Raj Kumar Bafna, Chief Financial Officer. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded.I now hand the conference over to Mr. Rohan Ohri from Emkay Global Financial Services. Thank you and over to you, sir.

R
Rohan Ohri
analyst

Thank you, Lisa. Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to welcome the management and thank them for this opportunity.I shall now hand over the call to the management for the opening remarks. Over to you, gentlemen.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you, everyone, for taking your valuable time for Heranba's Q3 and 9 months FY '23 earnings call. The company's 9-month FY '23 revenues stood at INR10,655 million impacted by challenging global macros including prolonged geopolitical concerns, rising inflation in major economies and slowdown in demand. The domestic technical business witnessed lower demand due to challenging market conditions coupled with higher inventory. Our export business was impacted by volatile global macroeconomics. The EBITDA margins were suppressed during 9 months FY '23 due to higher raw material prices and an increase in power and fuel costs. Heranba's CapEx plans are progressing as planned and it will further strengthen the company's capacities and capabilities for the coming years.Heranba aims to leverage its sales and marketing team's reach to strengthen its relationships with existing customers along with adding new customers. The near-term outlook is challenging for the entire agrochemical industry. However, Heranba will continue to diversify its product portfolio, widen its distribution network and sharpen its R&D focus for creating sustainable growth. The company is well poised to build on the strong operational competencies developed over the last few years. I'm hopeful the company will continue to grow and surpass new milestones in the coming years. We look FY '23 as transitionary year for Heranba and are optimistic of the future.I will now hand over to Mr. Raj Bafna, our CFO, to take you through the financials. Thank you.

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Thank you, sir. Good evening, everyone. I would like to brief touch upon the key performance highlights for the third quarter ended 31st December 2022 and then we'll open the floor for questions and answers. Now moving to our financial highlights for the quarter ended 31st December 2022. Revenue from operations stood at INR2,802 million in quarter 3 FY '23 as compared to INR3,954 billion in quarter 3 FY '22. EBITDA stood at INR264 million during the quarter with EBITDA margin at 9.41% in quarter 3 FY '23. PAT stood at INR144 million in quarter 3 FY '23 as compared to INR535 million in quarter 3 FY '22. The company's domestic to export ratio stood at 49:51 in quarter 3 FY '23 as against 65:35 in quarter 3 FY '22. Though sector fundamentals remain challenging for the short term, however, it continues to remain strong for the long-term basis.That concludes the update on financials. Now we can open the floor for question and answers.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Bhavya Gandhi from Dalal & Broacha Stock Broking.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

A couple of questions, sir. First question with respect to CapEx. What is the CapEx figure for 9 months because I see there's an incremental depreciation charge in the current quarter? If you could just share the CapEx number for 9 months.

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

For 9 months, we have done CapEx around INR60-odd crores. For the depreciation charge, that is because all expenses are WIP [Technical Difficulty] charging.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. So INR60 crores, our annual guidance is around INR150-odd crores. So in the last quarter, are we expecting...

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Last quarter we will done around INR50 crores to INR60 crores group CapEx and it will be touch around [ INR120 crores ].

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

So we don't expect to touch to INR150-odd crores, it will be around INR110 crores, INR120-odd crores, right?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Currently it is difficult INR150 crores.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. And if you can just share something on the employee cost? Because last quarter it was around INR19-odd crores, this quarter it is around INR16-odd crores. So are we not ramping up the facility, adding new employees? What is the reason for lower employee cost?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Lower employee cost because some cost is related to our turnover basis, okay. So our turnover has decreased by around 30% or the kind of thing. So some labors and some so you can see the lower production in our factory premises also. That's why the cost of the employee cost has gone down for this quarter.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. Contractual workers, maybe that is the reason for...

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Yes.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

And sir, 1 more question. In last 8 quarters we've not seen increase in our dealers whereas our formulation sales have increased to INR64-odd crores -- from INR64-odd crores, we've reached now to almost double. So if you can just shell out what is the reason for no increase in the number of dealers stagnant around 9,400 dealers?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

No, 9,400 dealers was number of the FY '22. We have not updated the number of current quarter. We will update in the -- you can say the year ended number is that. Currently if you see the current number, it will be more than 10,000 dealers.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

It will be more than 10,000. Okay. That is okay.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Yogesh from Arihant Capital Markets Limited.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Am I audible?

R
Rohan Ohri
analyst

Yes, you are audible.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

So sir, my first question is if we recall, Q1 and Q2 both were quite weak. Q1 was one of the first quarter for us and one the main reason was the China lockdown and Q3 has been even weaker. So just it would be helpful if you can give some details on actually what is happening in China? Is there a demand issue or the ports are closed? So exactly what is happening in China because of which we are facing this problem?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Basically the entire, if you see, the global macro situations are not good. In Q3 because majorly it's the Western countries where you have major business. But because of inflation, foreign exchange, availability and in China also if you see because of the COVID issues, there were lot of lockdowns in Q3. So the demand ratios are definitely there and supply is sufficient to fulfill this kind of demand. That's why there's this price issues and all that have come into play. But we have not really reduced the prices, that's why there's a dip in the turnover.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Okay. So sir, there is no issue of logistics like last time it was the Shanghai port was closed so it's not about logistics.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

No, there are no port closures as such. But geographical macroeconomic issue is not really good.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And sir, what is the current -- like China reopened in the later half of December so what is the current situation? Are we getting orders request from that part?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Orders, we have started getting orders from China. But then because there are supply available in the market both in China as well as India, that's why the price expectation of our customers are lower. But once demand kicks in, things will stabilize. So for now we are being very selective and not really reducing our prices. So initially maybe it looks bad. But once the demand kicks in in China, the pricing will also stabilize and things will start moving in a better way.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Sure, sir. And for the quarter, how was the domestic business like export is down. How was the domestic business? Has it increased during the quarter Q3?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Usually Q3 is not a domestic period and because, as I said, the global macroeconomic situations are low, that's why domestic requirements for export orders have also been low in this particular quarter. Have I answered your question or do you need...?

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Yes. Just to understand a little more. So like domestic business would be small, but it would be like -- what would be the trend like?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

So usually what happens is in quarter 3, the demand for herbicides are more in the domestic -- in India and we are more strong in fungicide and insecticide portfolio. So whichever -- what orders we usually get are exports and domestic orders which are for export requirements. So because your global macroeconomics have not been good, that's why insecticide, fungicide requirements for our products have been low and that's why the hit in the total turnover. Usually our products start moving in Q4, the insecticides and fungicides. Q3 is mainly a herbicide period.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Sure, sir. And just coming back to China like Q4 is also a large quarter for China.

R
Raunak Shetty
executive

Yes. COVID is still a concern even now in China. The situation is not really normalized in China and now there is a festival. After the festival, it is hopeful that the situation will improve in China. The fourth quarter as far as China is concerned, it should be better than the third quarter. But normally third and fourth is the main export market especially for China. China is a global production hub. Chinese buy from India also our range of products and distribute to the global requirements like Africa and all. But now fourth quarter should be much better than the third quarter.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Sure, sir. So just to understand on the demand side like if I take approximately like about 50% revenues come from domestic approximately and then the rest 20%-odd comes from China. So about 70% is contributed by 2 countries. So if we are seeing some pricing pressure in China and some like demand issue as well so what would be the outlook on China? Will this grow in FY '24? How do we see this forward?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Can you reframe the question? Grow as in?

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

So what I meant is like if there are some challenges in China because of COVID and others like pricing challenges and demand issues, how do we -- what is the outlook for the China business? Do we see it growing in line with what we see like 18% to 20% growth. Do we see that going forward in FY '24?

R
Raunak Shetty
executive

Yes. That will happen because our new facilities will be coming in. When it comes to China also, usually our line of products start moving in quarter 4 in China in a big way. And the Chinese government have already taken a call to open up the entire economy even though they have these COVID issues because the lockdown was really not supporting them. So we will start seeing demand coming in from now because today is the Chinese New Year so they had been on holiday for almost 15, 20 days and they should be opening up in February.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Sure, sir. My next question is on the CapEx. So regarding the Sarigam CapEx Phase 1, which we are targeting March end, so are we on track to complete it by March end Phase 1?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes, we are on track for this CapEx plan that we have given. Our facility will be coming up and the products that we will bring in would not be purely from China perspective, but distributed both in India as well as other than China geography. So then this will also diversify our geographical risk that we have and also our product portfolio will become better.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And sir, by when can we ramp up this Phase I to optimum capacity? How many months?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

It should be 1 to 2 quarters it should be ramped up to sufficient capacity.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

So I'm assuming that this is technical so the optimum capacity utilization would be about 70%, 80% in 6 months?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We can say 70% next financial year.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Sure. 70% by September, right? September '23, right?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. We are hopeful by September it should be at 65%, 70% range.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And sir, have you got the product registration for this new molecules coming up at Sarigam?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. We have registrations for 3 of them and for the other 2 molecules, we'll be starting slow. We'll be starting slow, but slowly as we get registration, we will increase our capacities. As of now, it is lined up.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Sir, what I understand is like we will start with 2 and 3 molecules will come in Phase II.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

3 molecules we'll try and bring in the Phase 1 only.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Okay. And the other 2 will come in Phase 2, which will start after October '23?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And sir, 1 question on the growth expectation we have. So like FY '23 was challenging and we have a long-term revenue growth of 18% to 20% on revenue. So will there be any pent-up revenue growth because '23 was down? So are we in line with this 18% to 20% revenue growth in FY '24?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes, we will be in line of 18% to 20% in FY '24. This year has been tough and that's why. Otherwise in a usual year, we would have been able to achieve as we had projected 18% to 20% even this year. But since it's not been good, that's why we may match the last year's turnover this year.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

So just coming back to the guidance, it's like 18% to 20% is our long-term expectation. But since FY '23 was weak, would there be any pent-up demand so can we exceed the 20% guidance next year maybe like 23%, 24% because '23 there was this problem with the lockdown in China.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Currently, we are very conservative in that, okay? So we estimated it will be around 1450 we are targeting for FY '23 and 1850 we are targeting for FY '24. This is all our ballpark numbers of that.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Okay. So FY '24 would be like 18% to 20% and 23% is like 15% to 18%?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Right.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And margins would be similar for FY '24 like between 18% to 20% operating margins.

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Yes, yes.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And lastly on the cash flow, sir. So are we positive on cash flow from operations at the end of 9 months?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Not now. For the first half, it was positive. For this quarter, it's almost around you can say minus to around INR5 crores to INR10 crores.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And we hope to get back to positive territory by end of the financial year?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We cross our fingers. We are targeting our cash flow positive for this financial year, but it seems to me it will be a neutral around minus INR5 crores or plus INR5 crores in the range.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And sir, the last question on the planned CapEx at Saykha. So when are we looking to start our next stage of CapEx in Saykha?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We are targeting by FY '24 end.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Okay. And this will be totally herbicide.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes.

Operator

The next question is from the line of [ Niharika ] from Equitas Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, my first question would be on the inventory side. So how much days of inventory do we hold as on December?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Currently inventory is around 110 days, madam. 110 days exactly.

U
Unknown Analyst

And this is higher price inventory or like have we taken any write-offs in quarter 3 regarding that?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Because we have inventory as a carrying out policies of the market value or the cost whichever is less. So it's almost you can see the market value is reflected in that.

U
Unknown Analyst

So we have not taken any write-offs in inventory considering...

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

No write-off in inventory.

U
Unknown Analyst

And secondly, I want to understand on the -- sir, you are saying that there has been macroeconomic factors and that is why our performance is not as good. So what exactly do you feel that things will fall in place next year and our demand can come back? Because I understand 1 portion is China say 20% of our sales. The rest of 50% is dependent on India, probably U.S. and a bit of Europe. So what things do you feel would fall in place that we would see demand coming back?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Currently you can say the domestic business has grown. Our domestic business has grown by 4% for the period of 9 months and our export revenue degrowth by 12% for the 9 months in that. The major contribution is the China related issues for that because the COVID issues was exceptional here for FY '23. So we don't expect this will be continued for FY '24 also. It will be continued because a bit the pent-up demand of the China will also come in the next year and the other geography we are entering with our new plant capacity and new registrations are good. So we are on track on that will be achieved around 18% to 20% growth from FY '24 by FY '23.

R
Raunak Shetty
executive

Now new plants will have different products and we have got a lot of new registrations in India as well as the other countries. We will be targeting these new products in these new geographies and that's how we feel that this 18% to 20% should be achievable.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And sir, there were some peer companies whose results are already out for this quarter and their agrochem division didn't perform as poor as ours in a way. So what do you think? Are we losing our market share in the metric because seeing the presentation, I could see that our domestic demand has fallen drastically quarter-on-quarter. Export hasn't fallen quarter-on-quarter that much, but I think domestic demand I can see has fallen down. So what do you think might be the major reason for that and why do you think our peers have performed a bit better? Are we like losing market share to them?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Ma'am, domestic we have 2 aspects, one is the formulation and one is the technical business usage. So formulation business has grown by around 25% to 30% in that plus our technical business, which subsequently used to be exports in that, it has degrown by around 15%. So for our branded formulation, our definitely market share has increased in that.

R
Raunak Shetty
executive

Also product profile company to company is different. So it is not necessarily we've lost market share. It is possible that they are in a different product, they deal in different products where the issue may not be that grave as our product that we deal in. They may be doing business more into herbicides or so and we are into insecticides and fungicides.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Fair enough. Also I want to understand on the Sarigam side that what kind of top line are we -- like can we achieve maximum revenue potential from Sarigam in Phase 1 and Phase 2?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Should be around 2.5x to 3x our investment.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And when do we plan to achieve it? I understand that you will be planning to ramp it up in phases. So this 2.5x would be possible, say, in FY '25, '24 end?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. We'll consider -- for optimum revenue we will consider FY '25. We'll be conservative.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And my last question would be on the capacity utilization side. So what kind of capacity utilization did we see in this quarter?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Capacity utilization in our existing facility?

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes, existing facility.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Existing facility, our technical plants, it's at 90% -- almost 90%, you can say 85% to 90%. And then formulations, it's around 55%, 60%.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And now that you are in quarter 4 of this financial year, do you see any demand coming back like because you said that quarter 4 demand should be better in domestic? So what kind of scenario are you facing currently?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We feel that usually our Q4 is usually better than Q3. So we see that as China has also opened up, the government has opened up Chinese economy; we feel that demand from China will come in in Q4.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Chintan from Prudent Corporate.

C
Chintan Mehta
analyst

Sir, can you say that this is the only one-off kind of quarter...

Operator

I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr. Chintan. Sir, there's a lot of disturbance from your line.

C
Chintan Mehta
analyst

Okay. I will get back in the queue. There is some problem for me.

Operator

We'll move on to the next question that is from the line of Bhavya Gandhi from Dalal & Broacha Stock Broking.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Sir, just wanted to understand how many products are there in the pipeline. So 5 that you mentioned Phase 1, Phase 2 that we are aware of and then post that, how many products are there in the pipeline?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We are evaluating around 10 to 12 products for Sarigam. That's a multipurpose facility. And we have got many registrations in India which is available in the public domain also and few registrations we got in other countries like in the West as well as a few in the Middle East and Africa. So based on that, we'll be bringing in new molecules; some may be a dedicated facility and some on multipurpose facility based on some campaign.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. And in the first year -- from April onwards in the first year, how much revenue can we expect from Sarigam? 2.5x, 3x is FY '25; but in the first year, can we expect at least 1.5x of revenue of the investment that we're doing?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

We've not really calculated like that, but we should comfortably be able to achieve 1x to 1.5x.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. And with respect to our domestic technicals because I see it's almost at INR50-odd crores versus on a sequential basis it was at INR122-odd crores. So barring the supply issue, is there any competition intensity which increased because that's a major fall because if we take it on a Y-o-Y basis also from INR106 crores, it's down to INR50-odd crores, domestic technicals I'm saying.

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Last year as you see, there was power issue [Technical Difficulty] final product price rise which we had seen in Q3 last year because of the China issue so we saw a very good quarter in Q3 last year. So this year, it is exactly opposite. It is not usual, it is really a unusual year. So we've seen 2 cycles from last quarter to this quarter, last year this quarter to this year this quarter.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. And do we maintain the annual revenue guidance that we had because that seems unachievable with this quarter results?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We've already said that we will be matching last year's turnover and next year we have projected at INR1,850 million.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. And with respect to -- so if you can just quantify the number of registrations that we had 1 quarter back and now that we have?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We don't have that figure now, but we can get back on it.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. Any approx figure will also do. How many registrations that -- number of increased registrations that you've got in this quarter? Maybe that also helps around.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Maybe around 30.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

30 new registrations in this quarter?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yeah. They will be a mix of both formulation as well as technicals. In domestic also we've got good registrations of technicals.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. And can you just share the role of Ajit Gujral that you hired and brought him onboard?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

He'll be looking into our marketing domestic both brands as well as B2B.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. And on the technical R&D front, does he have any competence or how is it like or only in terms of marketing he's going to look after?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

He's mainly for marketing. He is not a R&D person, but yes, his views on patents as such has been really good in the past, which we consider as a part of marketing efforts. So based on his views...

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Based on his suggestion, we can take up new high-value products we can select which is required in the coming years in the branded as well as B2B.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Right. And going forward, are we looking at more 93 products versus 94`? Is that the thought process?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

There will be 93 formulations going forward, yes. We have been reaching for more because we've got a lot of technical registrations in the last 1 year and we have already filed for many which we may see in the next 6 to 8 months. So based on those molecules, we would be filing for some formulation 93 registrations as well in our B2B and we may give it -- in our B2C and we may give those molecules in B2B as well.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. In terms of pricing, have we seen realizations drop drastically or is it only the demand which has led to poor revenue?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Both even prices have come down.

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. Prices have also come down. Is it possible to quantify at least the Top 3, 4 molecules that we have, have they saw any price erosion or how is it?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Across products. Quarter to quarter there has been price erosion. But if you see last year Q3 to this year, Q3, there has been a [indiscernible].

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

Okay. And possible to share the split between herbicides, insecticides and fungicides? How much revenue does it contribute?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Around 70%, 75% is insecticides and rest around 20% is fungicides, 5% maybe herbicide.

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

The inflation will change in the coming years because the Saykha site will be dedicated to fungicide. [Technical Difficulty]

B
Bhavya Gandhi
analyst

That would be metribuzin or which one would it be? Is it possible to...

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

There will be few other molecules also which will come in Saykha not just metribuzin.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Vicky Waghwani from Yes Securities.

V
Vicky Waghwani
analyst

Am I audible?

R
Rohan Ohri
analyst

Yes.

V
Vicky Waghwani
analyst

Sir, there is 30% Y-o-Y drop in our turnover in this quarter. If you could quantify between how much this fall due to price and what is the impact of volume decline?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Both will have same impact. The quantification [Technical Difficulty] we'll have to work that out as well. But there has been price as well as volume decline this quarter.

V
Vicky Waghwani
analyst

Okay. Sir, we have seen the sale of...

Operator

The line for the current participant has dropped. We'll move to the next question that is from the line of Imran from Longbow India Capital.

I
Imran Khan
analyst

I believe I am audible.

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Yes, you're audible.

I
Imran Khan
analyst

Sir, just one question. If you can tell us whether out of these last 3 months; October, November, December; which one was the worst?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

December was the month which we got the lowest turnover, December month.

I
Imran Khan
analyst

Okay. And October and November were normal compared to last year same time?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

No, not to compare -- will be around 5% to 7% degrowth in October, November also.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

As we mentioned, last year Q3 there was a big jump in the prices because of China power issues. So last year to this year, anyway we've been seeing of all value-wise sales in October as well as November, but December has been very good.

I
Imran Khan
analyst

Okay. So that means you kind of knew that this is not doing that well in this quarter, October and November was not that good. Now my question is then if you already knew this, then why did you given a guidance of 15%, 17% growth you will continue for this year when you were doing the con call last time in November? Is my question -- am I audible? You heard my question or shall I repeat?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Your question was not audible. Now we are able to hear you.

I
Imran Khan
analyst

Okay. So let me repeat my question. I was asking if you knew that October is down 5%, 7% and November is also looking very similar; then why did you guided in the last con call for about 15%, 17% growth?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

See, normally this third quarter and fourth quarter is going to -- in past trend it used to be better for many years. So all of a sudden the situation has changed mainly because of the COVID which was unpredictable.

I
Imran Khan
analyst

Okay. So you didn't know about it till your last con call?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

One thing is we had already guided lower to 15% to 17% revenue growth in this year in Q2 con call and that was from an H1 point of view. We had not considered that from Q3 to Q3 basis. We had considered based on what we were seeing in the month of October that sales were not up to a mark, but things would be better because there were discussion of things improving and all. So we said that we would be maintaining anywhere around 15% to 17%. Even in our last con call, we had guided lower our projections.

I
Imran Khan
analyst

Right. And given whatever data you have as of now for this month, based on that I'm assuming you're aiming to match last year's revenue. You will do more revenue basically in Q4 so that you will match last year's revenue, right?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Correct.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Rajesh Jain from NB Investments.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Sir, my first question is what are the reasons for the drop in margin because there is no inventory loss as CFO had mentioned? Then what are the reasons for the drop in margins?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Basically the margin used to consist of 2, 3 reasons. First is the raw material cost has gone up in that and we are not able to entirely pass on to the customer due to the price not in our control also. And second one reason is our inflation factor in that, our fuel and the power cost has been rising by around 20% to 30% in that. Those are the 2 major reasons for the drop in the margins.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Okay. Sir, did you say raw material prices have gone up?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Yes, raw material prices have gone up.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

It has gone up, but for our set of products it has not come down.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

So you're still not able to pass on the increase in raw material prices to your customers? That is what you are saying.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes, because our geographical macroeconomic situations are not good. Demand is really not coming in. China was under lockdown and China already the factories have inventory in place. So globally we're expecting prices to...

Operator

Sorry to interrupt, sir. Your audio is breaking up.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

So issues, the macro situation has been one. There's been lockdown in China. Domestic season usually in Q3 is also down. So overall things because of lower demand and ample supply, the prices also expectation of customers were down so prices, we had to give lower prices to our customers. The RM prices were on a higher side, which did not come down. So overall, we had to face some margin issues.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Okay. Now that you have given for the full year flat revenue growth...

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We tried to hold on to the price. Initially we tried to hold on to the price. As already mentioned by our CFO that December had been bad. But we held on for as long as we could, but things did not look good even by mid of November when we had to take a call.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Okay. Sir, now for the full financial year, you have said that you would try to reach last year revenue figures. How it would look in the bottom line? Will you be able to reach last year profit or will it be lesser than that?

Operator

Members of the management team, are you'll able to hear us?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

No, we are not able to hear you'll.

Operator

Sir, what we'll do is we'll just disconnect your line and reconnect you'll. Mr. Gandhi, may we request you to proceed with your question?

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Am I audible? I wanted to understand the geographical breakup in terms of our sales to China, what would it be as a percentage of revenue in this quarter and the quarter back?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

[Technical Difficulty]

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Sir, your voice is not audible.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We don't have the breakup at present, we have to work it out.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Any broad understanding also will do at least?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

[Technical Difficulty] instead of giving you some broad idea.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Okay. And in terms of our overall exports, I think Middle East contributes the major. If you cannot at least quantify, but in terms of overview if you can just mention?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

[Technical Difficulty]

Operator

Sorry to interrupt, sir. Sir, your audio is breaking up. Ladies and gentlemen, we request to stay connected while we reconnect the management team. Ladies and gentlemen, we now have the line for the management reconnected. Over to you, sir.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Yes. I just wanted to know the geographical breakup we were discussing about. Is Middle East a major portion of our exports or how is it? If you could just rank it amongst different geographies that will also help.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. As a rank if you have to say excluding India also, Asia Pacific is the #1 geography followed by Africa and then Middle East.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

And then Middle East. Okay. And in terms of depreciation, is it possible to quantify how would be the first year depreciation charge as a percentage of incremental CapEx?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

It will be around you can say because the proportion on the rough side, it will not do more than INR2 crores to INR5 crores.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

INR2 crores to INR5 crores roughly. Okay. And in terms of our employee cost, how much would it be fixed and how much would it be variable, if you can quantify that?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

It will be say around 75%:25% in that range.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

75%:25%. Okay.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Vicky Waghwani from Yes Securities.

V
Vicky Waghwani
analyst

Sir, my question was I have seen peers also the sale of insecticide has been impacted in this quarter. Any specific reason for the same?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

The same that as usually in domestic, it is not an insecticide period and macro situation globally has not been good.

V
Vicky Waghwani
analyst

On Y-o-Y basis if we compare for Q3 last year, the sale of insecticide has come down so maybe inventory is more into a channel or what any specific reason?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes, you can say inventory is more because demand has really not peaked and production did not go down because everyone expected that demand will come in sooner or later, but that did not happen.

V
Vicky Waghwani
analyst

And sir, secondly, if you could give our prices on Y-o-Y basis for Top 3 molecules; maybe for cypermethrin and deltamethrin, if you could give what was the price in last year Q3 and this year so that we can compare on a Y-o-Y basis?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We'll have to look into it what exactly the price was last year. But there should be around 10% dip as compared to last year to this year, 10% to 12% dip for sure.

V
Vicky Waghwani
analyst

On average basis?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Average basis.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Yogesh from Arihant Capital Markets Limited.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

My first question is regarding the U.S. business. So we are targeting about $25 million in the U.S. business. So what would be the timeline like? By when can we expect this?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

2 to 3 years.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

So by FY '25 we'll be able to target $25 million?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Should be.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And sir, how many products are registered in the U.S. for us?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

U.S. for now 2 products. Recently we got 1 more product registration in U.S. And hopefully by end of financial year, 1 more we should be getting or maybe Q1 next year.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Sure, sir. So just wanted to understand and if you can share some more details. What I understand is currently we have about INR25 crores of revenues coming from U.S. and if we take a 2-year horizon, $25 million if I take exchange rate of INR80, like INR200 crores in about 2 years from INR25 crores.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

2 to 3 years.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

So will it this go to -- around 4 products we have. Will this be sufficient for us to ramp up to around INR200 crores in 3 years?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We are planning more products. We already applied for few more products. So total I think around 6 to 7 products basket we will be making in U.S. and depending on how we get the registrations, this figure we will be able to achieve.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Okay, sir. And sir, this will be all herbicides, the 6 to 7 products which we are looking at?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

It will be a mix of all 3.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Okay. But the major composition would be herbicides?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

No, it will be insecticides and herbicides. Mainly more insecticides will apply.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Yes, sir. And sir, any plans for us to register products in the LatAm market going forward?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. We have also started activity in LatAm market. We already sell in the Latin American countries, but we plan to increase turnover even in LatAm market. We have already filed for some registrations also, but takes longer in LatAm.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Sure, sir. So we already have product registered -- so just to understand like we already have products registered in the Brazilian market?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. We have products as a source addition in Brazilian market.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Okay. And this will be like which category like insecticide, herbicide, which type?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

All insecticides.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Yes, sir. And sir, what would be our total capacity for deltamethrin?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Deltamethrin total capacity should around 300 tons per annum.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And this will be mainly export oriented?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes, mainly export.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Yes, sir. And sir, last question on the quarter. If we see the effective tax rate, there has been a big decline both quarter-on-quarter and Y-o-Y basis. It seems to come from some deferred tax related assets. So if you can share some details on that?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

The tax rate will be in the range of 24% to 25% because over next quarter, the new plant will be started and we get a depreciation benefit for that also. So it will be range around 24% to 25%.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

Okay. 24%, 25% going forward in FY '24?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Right.

Y
Yogesh Tiwari
analyst

And sir, just to come back to the third quarter, it was around 21% the effective tax rate, 21%, 21.5%. So if you can share some details to what led to the decline in effective tax rate?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Because tax rate we are calculating on the annualized basis. So this was an exceptional quarter and the profit decline is too much in that. That's why tax rate is you can see the quarter-to-quarter impact also.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Rajesh Jain from NB Investments.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Sir, my call got disconnected when I was asking my last question. It's regarding you have given a guidance for the top line, which will be flat compared to last year. So what would be the same guidance for the net profit?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

The EBITDA margin will be around 18% to 20%.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Sir, for FY '23 I'm asking for the complete [ P&L ].

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

The EBITDA margin will be around 12% to 14%.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Okay. My second question is now the Sarigam facility Phase 1 would commission by the end of this quarter?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

End of this quarter.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Okay. Secondly, about the registrations, you had told us last time in the call that a few customers from Europe and U.S. would be visiting our plants. So all those visits and everything has gone successfully?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. It's an ongoing process. We had the European visits, U.S. is pending. But it is a continuous process where customers from different geographies now as everything is opened up have started moving and evaluating facilities also. So we also had a Brazilian company audit our facility recently.

R
Rajesh Jain
analyst

Okay. Now why I was asking is you had mentioned last time that U.S. we may do around INR50 crores next year and now to the previous person, you mentioned around INR200 crores in the next 3 years. So the registration and all that, the marketing setup, all those are on track?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. So we have taken a goal of $25 million and we have already started working for that goal. So next year we should be able to meet INR50 crores and also we've put in few registrations. If everything goes well, we would be able to achieve this there as well.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Taha Ansari, an Individual Investor.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, my first question is what is our R&D expense in terms of our revenues as of financial year '23 as well as what R&D expenses to revenues we see going forward and what is the current size of our R&D team, sir?

R
Rajkumar Bafna
executive

Currently R&D expenditure is around 1% for that and going forward it will be around 1% to 2% in the range of that. It is around [Technical Difficulty]

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Sir, my next question is 3 years back our MD Raghu sir has given an interview in which he has mentioned that soon company will come up with biopesticides. Can you please update us on that?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

So for now it is yet under planning stage only. We have looked into a few molecules in the biopesticide segment also, but maybe we'll take it up for marketing first and not production. It is definitely a good segment to look into. For now we have not yet seriously entered into manufacturing or seriously thought of manufacturing such biopesticides.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So it will not take place in, let's say, near future I think so?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

At least not in the next 1 year.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, next question is in 2020 government proposed 27 pesticides although they are not implemented yet. If in future this gets implemented then our 2 products, acephate and deltamethrin are going to be banned on that. Please if you can tell the revenue share company gets from acephate and deltamethrin? And is the company ready to protect its revenue as these 2 products get banned?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

So already we have been softly -- we've been told that deltamethrin is not going to be considered in this list as it's a safe molecule used in public health as well as agriculture. Secondly, deltamethrin in agriculture also in India it's not a very big product. It's mainly an export product. Coming to the second molecule acephate is not a very big molecule for us today and we'll be able to shift our sales to another product if acephate tomorrow gets banned.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So sir, if you can please share the revenue in terms of acephate and deltamethrin?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Acephate is negligible. delta definitely is a big molecule for us. But the ban also is only for domestic, which they have mentioned, and not exports. That share will be very small

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay, fine. I think the deltamethrin is 8% to 9% of your revenues.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. But it won't be banned. Data submission, it is submitted and there is no -- it won't happen.

R
Raunak Shetty
executive

It won't happen. It's already mentioned that datas required by the government has already been submitted and should be okay.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Sir, next question is as of our [indiscernible], our glyphosate product is fully or partially banned in 60-plus countries as well as recently India has implemented several restrictions in the usage of glyphosate. Sir, if you can share the revenue percentage company generates from glyphosate side and what's your opinion for the future of glyphosate?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

It's not a very important product for us and it is not banned. It's only partially for a few months it is banned, but for us it is a negligible turnover and there is enough alternate products even if it is in restriction.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So there will be no serious setback if this thing happens.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Less than 1% of our sales.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay, fine. Sir, next question is one of our competitor on [ permethrin ] side is adding capacities in cypermethrin and beta-cypermethrin and you were mentioning cypermethrin and permetherin as an old product in the industry. So what's your opinion on that, sir, and are we also working on these updated products?

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

We are looking otherwise it is not -- it is a very well-accepted product worldwide.

R
Raunak Shetty
executive

We are also working on these molecules. Cypermethrin and beta-cypermethrin have very good efficacy on [ field ] level as well as very well accepted in public health segment also.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

So even if we don't grow that, we can also produce that.

Operator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last question. I now hand the conference over to the management for the closing comments.

R
Raghuram Shetty
executive

Yes. Thank you very much for showing interest and joining even in Saturday, I appreciate. And if there is any further query, our E&Y will reply for any further queries. Thank you so much for your interest.

Operator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Emkay Global Financial Services, that concludes this conference call. We thank you for joining us and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.

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