MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

15.12.2008

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

UNITED SPIRITS LIMITED

 

 

Formerly Known As :

MCDOWELL AND COMPANY LIMITED

 

 

Registered Office :

UB Tower Level 9, UB City # 24, Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore 560 001, Karnataka.

 

 

Country :

India

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.03.2007

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

31.03.1999

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

24991

 

 

CIN No.:

[Company Identification No.]

LO1551KA1999PLC024991

 

 

TAN No.:

[Tax Deduction & Collection Account No.]

BLRU01403D / BLRM01795C

 

 

PAN No.:

[Permanent Account No.]

AACCM8043J

 

 

Legal Form :

Public Limited Liability Company. The Company’s shares are listed on the Stock Exchanges.

 

 

Line of Business :

Manufacture, Purchase and Sale of Beverage Alcohol (Spirits and Wines).

 

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

A

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

Fairly Large

 

Maximum Credit Limit :

USD 67000000

 

 

Status :

Good

 

 

Payment Behaviour :

Regular

 

 

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

Comments :

Subject is a UB Group Company having fine track. Available information indicates high financial responsibility of the company and its managements. Trade relations are fair. Business is active. General financial position is good. Payments are reported as usually made as per commitments.

 

The company can be considered good for normal business dealings.

 

 

LOCATIONS

 

Registered Office :

UB Tower Level 9, UB City # 24, Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore 560 001, Karnataka, India

Tel. No.:

91-80-39856500/ 22210705/ 0278/ 39856000

Mobile No.:

--

Fax No.:

91-80-39856862/ 39856959

E-Mail :

contactus@ubmail.com

Website :

http://www.unitedspirits.in

 

 

Head Office :

51, Richmond Road, Bangalore 560 025, Karnataka, India

 

 

Factory :

Located at:

 

  • Cherthala (Kerala)
  • Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Ponda (Goa)
  • Hathidah (Bihar)
  • Kumbalgodu (Karnataka)
  • Rosa (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Udaipur (Rajasthan)
  • Serampore (West Bengal)
  • Bhopal - 1 (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Bhopal - II (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Asansol (West Bengal)
  • Nasik-l (Maharashtra)
  • Nasik-ll (Maharashtra)
  • Pondicerry (Pondicherry)
  • Alwar "(Rajasthan)
  • Aurahgabad (Maharashtra)
  • Meerut (Uttar'Pradesh)
  • Hospet (Karnataka)
  • Pathankot;(Punjab)
  • Palwal (Hariyana)
  • Gopalpur,-on'-sea (Orissa)
  • Palakkad (Kerala)
  • Baddi (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Badrakali (West Bengal)
  • Baramati (Maharashtra)
  • Zuari Nagar (Goa)

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

Name :

Mr. Vijay Mallya (Dr.)

Designation :

Chairman and Director

Date of Birth/Age :

52 Years

 

 

Name :

Mr. S R Gupte

Designation :

Vice Chairman and Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. Vijay K Rekhi

Designation :

Managing Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. M R Doraiswamy Iyengar

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. B M Labroo

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. Sreedhara Mernon

Designation :

Director

Date of Birth/Age :

70 Years

Profile :

Chairman of the Board and Strategic Advisor of VITEOS Capital Market Services Limited.

 

 

Name :

Mr. Sudhindar Krishan Khanna

Designation :

Director

Date of Birth/Age :

54 Years

Profile :

Qualified Chartered Accountant. He ranked 3rd in the UK in the Intermediate Examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England.

 

 

KEY EXECUTIVES

 

Name :

Mr. Ravi Nedungadi

Designation :

President and Chief Financial Officer – The UB Group

 

 

Name :

Mr. P A Murali

Designation :

Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Name :

Mr. V S Venkataraman

Designation :

Company Secretary

 

 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS / SHAREHOLDING PATTERN

 

AS ON 31.03.2007

 

Names of Shareholders

No. of Shares

Percentage of Holding

 

 

 

Promoter Group

36628260

38.77

Resident Body Corporate

14790713

15.65

Banks/ Fl/ Fll/ MF/ Trust

29871341

31.62

NRI/ OCB/ FFI

3587805

3.80

G D S

189452

0.20

Resident Individuals

9414359

9.96

Total

94481930

100.00

 

 

BUSINESS DETAILS

 

Line of Business :

Manufacture, Purchase and Sale of Beverage Alcohol (Spirits and Wines).

 

 

Products with ITC Code :

  • Whisky – 220830.00
  • Brandy – 220820.01
  • Rum – 220840.01
  • Scotch
  • Vodka

 

 

Brand Names :

Dalmore, Jura, Whyte & Mackay, Black Dog, Antiquity, Signature, Royal Challenge, McDowell’s No. 1, Celebration Rum, Bouvet Ladubay, Pinky, Romanov, White Mischief, etc.

 

PRODUCTION STATUS

 

Particulars

Unit

Licensed Capacity

Installed Capacity

Actual Production

 

 

 

 

 

Beverage Alcohol

Liters

164560592

192150600

161374408

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Suppliers :

  • Abhijeet Chemicals
  • Adarsh Packagers
  • Akash Multipack
  • Anupama Industries
  • Astra Packaging Private Limited
  • Bhargav Packaging
  • Brilliant Packing
  • Carto Pack
  • Ceekay Enterprise
  • Charidigafnn Chemicals
  • Chemiine India Private Limited
  • Chromaprint (India) Private Limited
  • Manohar Canister Private Limited
  • Peninsulars Packes Private Limited
  • Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara
  • Standard Packaging
  • Surinder and Company
  • Swastik Packaging and Allied Industries
  • The Flavors India Private Limited
  • Tirumala Corrugated Packaging Private Limited

 

 

No. of Employees :

Around 7000

 

 

Bankers :

Not Available

 

 

Facilities :

Secured Loan

(Rs. in millions)

 

31.03.2007

31.03.2006

Term Loans

n       Banks [Repayable within one year: Rs.733.068 Million (2006: Rs.425.318 Million)]

n       From Others [Repayable within one year: Rs. Nil (2006: Rs.42.500 Million)]

n       Working Capital Loan / Cash Credit from Banks

n       Finance Lease

n       Interest accrued and due

6192.267

 

 

 

--

 

 

3215.824

 

28.713

48.422

6286.876

 

 

 

375.000

 

 

3359.090

 

12.390

13.957

 

9485.226

10047.313

(i) Out of the above loans:

(a) Secured by charge on certain fixed assets of the Company including Land and Building.

(b) Secured by charge on certain fixed assets of the Company, pledge of certain shares held by the Company and also by pledge of certain investments held by other companies.

(c) Foreign Currency Borrowings secured by charge on fixed assets of - the company, pledge of certain shares held by the Company and also' by pledge of certain investments held by other companies.

(d) Secured by a second charge oh certain fixed assets of the, Company including Land and Building.

(e) Secured by charge on a brand

(f) Foreign Currency External Commercial Borrowings secured by charge on specific fixed assets and a brand

(g) Secured by hypothecation of specific fixed assets acquired under respective agreements.

 

489.910

 

 

3688.816

 

 

 

 

282.349

 

 

 

 

187.500

 

 

6.600

1522.850

 

 

14.242

 

1178.527

 

 

500.000

 

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

 

3000.000

 

 

21.000

1561.350

 

 

25.999

 

 

(ii) Out of the above loans:

(a) Secured by a charge on certain fixed assets of the Company and pledge of certain shares and properties of other companies

(b) Secured by charge on certain fixed assets of the Company including Land and Building

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

320.000

 

 

 

55.000

 

(iii) (a) Secured by charge on certain fixed assets of the Company including :

Land and Building and hypothecation of inventories, book debts and other current assets,

(b) Includes Foreign Currency Non-Resident [FCNR(B)] Loans

--

 

 

 

 

396.331

--

 

 

 

 

841.515

(iv) Secured against assets acquired under lease agreements

--

--

 

Unsecured Loan

(Rs. in millions)

 

31.03.2007

31.03.2006

Fixed Deposits

[Repayable within one year Rs.187.112 Million (2006: Rs. 196.371 Million)]

668.010

713.204

From Banks

[Repayable within one year Rs.100.000 Million (2006: Rs.100.000 Million)]

100.000

100.000

2% Convertible Bonds in Foreign Currency

4423.643

4461.000

Interest accrued and due

0.913

0.489

 

5192.566

5274.693

 

 

 

Banking Relations :

Satisfactory

 

 

Auditors :

 

Name :

Price Waterhouse

Chartered Accountants

Address :

Bangalore, Karnataka, India

 

 

Subsidiaries :

  • R G Shaw and Company Limited
  • Palmer Investment Group Limited
  • Shaw Wallace and Company Limited
  • Montrose International S A
  • Shaw Scott and Company Limited
  • Shaw Darby and Company Limited
  • Thames Rice Milling Company Limited
  • JIHL Nominees Limited
  • Primo Distributors Private Limited
  • USL Holdings (UK) Limited
  • Spring Valley Investments Holdings Inc
  • USL Holdings Limited
  • United Spirits (Great Britain) Limited
  • United Spirits (UK) Limited
  • Ramanreti Investments and Trading Company Private Limited
  • McDowell Nepal Limited
  • Asian Opportunities and Investments Limited
  • Shaw Wallace Overseas Limited
  • Shaw Wallace Breweries Limited
  • Four Seasons Wines Limited
  • United Vintners Limited
  • United Alcobev Limited
  • McDowell  Beverages Limited

 

 

 

 

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

AS ON

 

Authorised Capital :

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

 

 

 

 

110,000,0000

Equity Shares

Rs. 10/- Each

Rs. 1100.000 millions

10,000,000

Preference Shares

Rs. 10/- Each

Rs. 100.000 millions

 

Total

 

Rs. 1200.000 millions

 

Issued, Subscribed & Paid-up Capital :

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

 

 

 

 

94,481,930

Equity Shares

Rs. 10/- Each

Rs. 944.819 millions

7,750,000

9% Non Cumulative Non Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares

Rs. 10/- Each

Rs. 77.500 millions

 

Total

 

Rs. 1022.319 millions

 

Notes :

Of the above,

1. 51,719,968 (2006: 51,719,968) Equity Shares were allotted as fully paid up on July 9, 2001 to the shareholders of the erstwhile McDowell & Co, Limited., pursuant to the schemes of Amalgamation for consideration other than cash.

2. 34,010,521 (2006: Nil) Equity Shares were alloted as fully paid on November 6, 2006 to Equity Shareholders of erstwhile Herbertsons Limited, Triumph Distillers & Vintners Private Limited, Baramati Grape Industries Limited, United .Distillers India Limited and Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited pursuant :to a Scheme of Amalgamation for consideration other than cash.

3. 8,751,381 (2006: 8,751,381) Equity shares of Rs.10/- each fully paid up represent 17,502,762 (2006:17,502,762) Global Depository Shares issued by the Company on March 29, 2006.

4. 7,750,000 (2006: Nil) 9% Non-Cumulative Non-Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares of Rs 10/- each were issued as fully paid up on November 6, 2006 to 9 % Non-Cumulative Non-Convertible Redeemable Preference-'Shareholders of erstwhile Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited pursuant to-a Scheme,of Amalgamation for consideration other than cash.

 

The above 7,750,000 (2006: Nil) 9% Non-Cumulative Non-Convertible-Redeemable Preference Shares of Rs 107- each have, been redeemed at patdn July 11, 2007.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL DATA

[all figures are in Rupees Millions]

 

 

ABRIDGED BALANCE SHEET

 

SOURCES OF FUNDS

 

31.03.2007

31.03.2006

31.03.2005

SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Share Capital

1022.319

604.714

517.200

2] Share Application Money

0.000

0.000

0.000

3] Share Capital Suspense

0.000

417.605

0.000

3] Reserves & Surplus

12397.905

7938.654

2357.600

4] (Accumulated Losses)

0.000

0.000

0.000

NETWORTH

13420.224

8960.973

2874.800

LOAN FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Secured Loans

9485.226

10047.313

5056.600

2] Unsecured Loans

5192.566

5274.693

682.700

TOTAL BORROWING

14677.792

15322.006

5739.300

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

7.935

70.569

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

28105.951

24353.548

8614.100

 

 

 

 

APPLICATION OF FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED ASSETS [Net Block]

4538.698

4598.732

2151.600

Capital work-in-progress

106.102

26.021

42.900

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT

6624.619

7022.648

3803.200

DEFERREX TAX ASSETS

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS & ADVANCES

 

 

 

 

Inventories

2936.496

2818.605

1406.200

 

Sundry Debtors

3552.463

3003.733

1792.600

 

Cash & Bank Balances

3735.750

2234.415

424.900

 

Other Current Assets

1112.095

637.783

0.000

 

Loans & Advances

11294.735

11193.139

1900.900

Total Current Assets

22631.539

19887.675

5524.600

Less : CURRENT LIABILITIES & PROVISIONS

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

5330.672

6796.459

2670.400

 

Provisions

464.335

385.069

237.800

Total Current Liabilities

5795.007

7181.528

2908.200

Net Current Assets

16836.532

12706.147

2616.400

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

28105.951

24353.548

8614.100

 

 

 

PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT

 

PARTICULARS

 

31.03.2007

31.03.2006

31.03.2005

Sales Turnover

27205.230

20479.515

17839.800

Other Income

703.547

488.771

572.200

Total Income

27908.777

20968.286

18412.000

 

 

 

 

Profit/(Loss) Before Tax

6216.260

512.190

322.400

Provision for Taxation

1276.066

91.992

55.200

Profit/(Loss) After Tax

4940.194

420.198

267.200

 

 

 

 

Earnings in Foreign Currency :

 

 

 

 

Export Earnings

0.000

94.058

NA

 

Other Earnings

47.009

42.717

NA

Total Earnings

47.009

136.775

NA

 

 

 

 

Imports :

 

 

 

 

Raw Materials

248.637

238.237

NA

 

Stores & Spares

2.972

1.716

NA

 

Others

0.000

3.377

NA

Total Imports

251.609

243.330

NA

 

 

 

 

Expenditures :

 

 

 

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing Expenses

8679.742

7875.937

0.000

 

Raw Material Consumed

14263.215

10504.868

4978.300

 

Excise Duty

0.000

0.000

6287.600

 

Employee Cost

0.000

0.000

821.500

 

Selling and Administration Expenses

0.000

0.000

2465.400

 

Interest

1067.634

1666.289

369.400

 

Miscellaneous Expenses

0.000

0.000

463.000

 

Power & Fuel

0.000

0.000

64.300

 

Depreciation & Amortization

309.350

409.002

156.300

 

Other Expenditure

0.000

0.000

2483.800

Total Expenditure

24319.941

20456.096

18089.600

 

SUMMARISED RESULTS

 

PARTICULARS

 

 

 

31.03.2008

 Type

 

 

Full Year

Sales Turnover

 

 

31731.200

Other Income

 

 

369.100

Total Income

 

 

32100.300

Total Expenditure

 

 

25639.400

Operating Profit

 

 

6460.900

Interest

 

 

1285.100

Gross Profit

 

 

5175.800

Depreciation

 

 

326.100

Tax

 

 

1750.000

Reported PAT

 

 

3112.800

Dividend (%)

 

 

150.000

 

 

 

 

QUARTERLY RESULTS

 

PARTICULARS

 

 

30.06.2008

30.09.2008

 Type

 

 1st Quarter

 2nd Quarter

Sales Turnover

 

10133.900

9113.600

Other Income

 

71.800

13.200

Total Income

 

10205.700

9126.800

Total Expenditure

 

7981.500

7211.700

Operating Profit

 

2224.200

1915.100

Interest

 

341.300

394.700

Gross Profit

 

1882.900

1520.400

Depreciation

 

81.900

87.400

Tax

 

642.000

527.000

Reported PAT

 

1171.300

938.900

 

200806 Quarter 1 --------------- Notes Status of Investor Complaints for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 Complaints Pending at the beginning of the quarter Nil Complaints Received during the quarter 42 Complaints disposed off during the quarter 42 Complaints unresolved at the end of the quarter Nil 1. The Company is engaged in the business of manufacture, purchase and sale of Beverage Alcohol (Spirit and Wines) including through Tie-up Manufacturing / brand franchise, which constitutes a single business segment. The Company's operations outside India did not exceed the quantitative threshold for disclosure envisaged in AS 17 on Segment Reporting issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In view of the above, primary and secondary reporting disclosures for business/geographical segment as envisaged in AS-17 are not applicable to the Company. 2. The entire Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (the Bonds) aggregating to US$ 100 mn had been converted into equity shares in the Company and there are no outstanding Bonds as on March 31, 2008. During the quarter the Company has received listing and trading permission from National Stock Exchange of India Limited, Bombay Stock Exchange Limited and Bangalore Stock Exchange Limited in respect of the entire equity shares allotted on conversion of Bonds. Approval from Delhi Stock Exchange Association Limited in respect of 227,550 equity shares allotted on March 31, 2008 on conversion of Bonds is awaited. 3. With regard to the Company's applications seeking voluntary delisting of Equity Shares of the Company from the Stock Exchanges situated at Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi, all Stock Exchanges except Delhi Stock Exchange Association Limited have informed de-listing of the Company's equity shares from their Exchanges. 4. During the quarter, United Spirits (Shanghai) Trading Company Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. 5. (a). At the separate Court Convened Meetings held on April 11, 2008, the Equity Shareholders, Secured Creditors and Unsecured Creditors of the Company have approved: (i) the Scheme of Amalgamation of Shaw Wallace & Company Limited (SWC) and Primo Distributors Private Limited (Primo) with the Company and (ii) the Scheme of Amalgamation of Zelinka Limited (Zelinka) with the Company The Schemes mentioned in (i) and (ii) above have been sanctioned by the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka on May 29, 2008. (b) The Scheme mentioned in 6(a) (i) above in respect of Primo has been sanctioned by the Hon'ble High Court of Judicature at Bombay on July 18, 2008. (c) At the Court Convened Meeting held on April 25, 2008, the Equity Shareholders of SWC have approved the Scheme of Amalgamation mentioned in 5(a)(i) above in respect of SWC. Petition has been filed by SWC for sanction of the aforesaid Scheme before the Hon'ble High Court at Calcutta and the sanction of the Court is awaited. (d) Zelinka will take necessary steps for implementing the Scheme of Amalgamation mentioned in 5(a)(ii) above. Pending completion of amalgamation as above, the results published are that of United Spirits Limited only. 7. The Limited Review of the above results as required under Clause 41 of Listing Agreement has been completed by the Statutory Auditors. The above unaudited results were taken on record at the meeting of Board of Directors held on July 21, 2008. 8. Previous period/year's figures have been regrouped, wherever necessary, to conform to the current period/year's classifications.

 

200809 Quarter 2 --------------- Notes Status of Investor Complaints for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 Complaints Pending at the beginning of the quarter Nil Complaints Received during the quarter 42 Complaints disposed off during the quarter 42 Complaints unresolved at the end of the quarter Nil 1. The Company is engaged in the business of manufacture, purchase and sale of Beverage Alcohol (Spirit and Wines) including through Tie-up Manufacturing / brand franchise, which constitutes a single business segment. The Companys operations outside India did not exceed the quantitative threshold for disclosure envisaged in AS 17 on 'Segment Reporting' issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In view of the above, primary and secondary reporting disclosures for business/geographical segment as envisaged in AS-17 are not applicable to the Company. 2. With regard to the Companys applications seeking voluntary delisting of Equity Shares of the Company from the Stock Exchanges situated at Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi, all Stock Exchanges except Delhi Stock Exchange Association Limited have informed de-listing of the Companys equity shares from their Exchanges. 3. With regard to: (a) the Scheme of Amalgamation of Shaw Wallace & Company Limited (SWC) and Primo Distributors Private Limited (Primo) with the company, while the scheme has been sanctioned by the Honble High Court of Karnataka and the Honble High Court of Judicature at Bombay, similar sanction by the Honble High Court at Calcutta is awaited. (b) the Scheme of Amalgamation of Zelinka Limited (Zelinka) with the Company the Honble High Court of Karnataka has sanctioned the Scheme and Zelinka is taking necessary steps for implementing the same. Pending completion of the amalgamation as mentioned in 3(a) and (b) above, the results published are that of United Spirits Limited only 4. The Company has been granted time to hold the Annual General Meeting upto December 31, 2008 by the Registrar of Companies - Karnataka, Bangalore. 5. The Limited Review of the above results as required under Clause 41 of Listing Agreement has been completed by the Statutory Auditors. The above unaudited results were taken on record at the meeting of Board of Directors held on October 21, 2008. 6. Previous period/years figures have been regrouped, wherever necessary, to conform to the current period/years classifications.

 

KEY RATIOS

 

 

PARTICULARS

 

31.03.2007

31.03.2006

31.03.2005

Debt-Equity Ratio

1.34

1.78

1.60

Long Term Debt-Equity Ratio

1.07

1.40

0.97

Current Ratio

2.14

1.65

1.20

TURNOVER RATIOS

 

 

 

Fixed Assets

8.12

8.49

6.47

Inventory

16.23

17.01

13.25

Debtors

14.24

14.99

9.42

Interest Cover Ratio

3.94

1.23

2.14

Operating Profit Margin(%)

10.95

7.08

5.31

Profit Before Interest And Tax Margin(%)

10.29

5.94

4.43

Cash Profit Margin(%)

6.80

2.03

2.68

Adjusted Net Profit Margin(%)

6.14

0.89

1.81

Return On Capital Employed(%)

18.34

12.98

10.86

Return On Net Worth(%)

26.12

5.50

11.52

 

 

LOCAL AGENCY FURTHER INFORMATION

 

Biodata

 

United Spirits Limited (USL) began its story in the year 1999 as McDowell Sprits Limited. It is the company engaging in manufacturing of beverages. The Company operates primarily in the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) space with clearly chalked out plans for the Wine and Bottled In Origin (BIO) sectors. USL is to manufacture, purchase and sell Indian made foreign liquor including brand franchise. The Group's products include beer, wine, country liquor, Indian made foreign liquor and spirits. Its plants are located at Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Pondicherry. Some of the brand names include Romanov, Signature, Bagpiper, Red Riband Vodka, Blue Riband Gin, Black Dog Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Caesar Brandy, Old Cask Rum, Celebration XXX Rum and Bosca Wine.  
 
As at 1st April 2000, the company name was changed from McDowell Sprits Limited to McDowell & Company Limited. During the year 2002, the McDowell Alcobev becomes the wholly owned subsidiary of the company. In the same period, the company made alliances with US, Australia and French Cos. for bulk wine import. Phipson Distilley becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the company and also the company acquired 85% equity stake in Truimph Distilleries & Vinters Private Limited, subsequently, the Truimph Distilleries & Vinters becomes a subsidiary of USL during the year 2002 itself. The Company acquired the Indian and Middle East businesses of Gilbeys from UDV through its ultimate subsidiary Triumph Distillers & Vintners Private Limited in December of the year 2002. Gilbey's Green Label is a popular brand of whisky in the regular segment with sales of over 2 million cases. It was seen as a useful addition to The Company's portfolio brands as it enjoyed certain price advantages in the whisky category. During year, McDowell International Brands Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary consequent upon the transfer of beneficial interests in the balance 60 Equity Shares of Rs.10/- each held by the other shareholders to the company. USL had rolled out its new Whisky brand, 'Derby Special Whisky' in Andhra Pradesh Market in the period of 2003. Company has gone live with SAP R/3 at all locations in South India during the year 2003 along with the reorganisation.

 
The company forged alliance with Newzealand Company called Independent Liquor to pursue an aggressive growth strategy in the ready-to-drink segment. During the year 2003, McDowell Alcobev, a subsidiary of the company made open offer to acquire 25% stake in Intertia Industries. The Company unleashed new Vodka as part of its product portfolio. USL launched the Old Cask Rum, in the Karnataka market during the period of 2004. In the same year of 2004, the company had unveils the Signature, a new and costly item in product line at Tamil Nadu market.

 
During the year 2004-05, the McDowell India Spirits Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company consequent upon the purchase of 50,000 Equity Shares of Rs.10/- each, from the existing shareholders of the Company. Also, the Herbertsons Limited became an ultimate subsidiary of the Company consequent upon it becoming a subsidiary of Phipson Distillery Limited, USL's wholly owned subsidiary.

 
USL made an open offer to the shareholders of Shaw Wallace & Company Limited pursuant to the Regulations 10 & 12 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 1997 at Rs. 260/- per share. Pursuant to the open offer, United Spirits Limited acquired 12,001,518 Equity Shares constituting 25% of the paid up equity share capital of Shaw Wallace & Company Limited. McDowell's No.1 Reserve Whisky Smart Pouch bagged the Silver Award for Packaging Excellence 2005. The Investment business of the Company was demerged into McDowell India Spirits Limited (since renamed as McDowell Holdings Limited), the Demerger taking effect from the April 1st, 2005.

 
Phipson Distillery Limited, United Spirits Limited, Herbertsons Limited, Triumph Distillers & Vintners Private Limited, Baramati Grape Industries Limited, United Distillers India Limited, McDowell International Brands Limited and Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited (transferor companies) were amalgamated with the Company, the amalgamation taking effect from April 1st 2005. In order to expand its Scotch whisky to a larger consumer segment and the middle-income group in particular, the company launched a low-priced variant of its Black Dog Scotch during the year of 2005-06. And also in the same year, the company had introduced McDowell's No.1 Celebration Rum and Antiquity Blue. Primo Distributors Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Distillers India Limited, (which ceased to be a subsidiary of the Company earlier) became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company as on March 31, 2006.

 
Name of the Company has been changed from McDowell & Company Limited to the present name United Spirits Limited, with effect from October 17th of the year 2006. The Company had issued 17,502,762 Global Depositary Shares (GDSs) during the year 2006-07 representing 8,751,381 Equity Shares ranking pari-passu in all respects with the existing paid up equity shares, 2 GDSs representing 1 equity share of par value of Rs.10/- each at US$7.4274 per GDS aggregating to US$ 130 million. These GDSs are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. And in the same year the company also had issued US$ 100,000,000 2% Convertible Bonds Due 2011 (Bonds) convertible into equity shares or GDSs (2 GDSs representing 1 equity share). The Company launched its international operations with the acquisition of M/s. Bouvet-Ladubay S.A., a 3.2 million-bottle winery in the Saumur Valley in the Loire region of France during the year of 2006-07. In May of the year 2007, the company had acquired 100% stake in Whyte & Mackay, Whyte & Mackay is leading distiller of Scotch whisky. Equity shareholders & creditors of the company approved the Scheme of Amalgamation ('the Scheme') of Zelinka with the Company as on April 11, 2008.

 
The Directors have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of The Company and the audited accounts for the year ended March 31, 2007. 


At the outset, The Directors are pleased to report the strategically important acquisition on May 16, 2007 of Whyte and Mackay Limited, the 4th largest Scotch Distillers in the World. The acquisition of this Glasgow (UK) based Company for an enterprise value of GBP 595 Million was done through a wholly owned subsidiary, United Spirits (Great Britain) Limited. 


Consequent to the consolidation of the spirits business by amalgamation, inter alia, of Herbertsons Limited, Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited, Baramati Grape Industries Limited and Triumph Distillers & Vintners Private Limited with the Company, The Company. has registered milestone sale of more than 66 Million case a during the financial year 2006-07. 

 

PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY: 


The integration of the Shaw Wallace operations, the active efforts at capitalising on the uptrend of consumer preferences, and relentless cost control, have all helped The company to turn in a sterling performance during the year under review. 


Operating Profits were consequently up by about 4000 from Rs. 921 Million to Rs. 3,898 Million.

 
Adding to the results for the year were profits from sale of part of the Treasury Stocks which resulted in Non-Recurring profits of Rs. 2,627 Million. 

 

PROSPECTS: 
 
 Barring unforseen circumstances, The Directors expect continuing increase in the profitable conduct of the company's business. The recent acquisitions of the Scotch distiller, Whyte and Mackay Limited. and Liquidity Inc. in the current year and Bouvet Ladubay, a wine manufacturing Company in France in the year under review, are expected to provide sustained opportunities in the future. 


Profits for the first six months of the current year are 51 higher than the corresponding period of the year under review. 
 
SUBSIDIARIES: 
 
During the year under review, the following Companies became subsidiaries of The Company:  


Four Seasons Wines Limited; United Alcobev Limited; United Vintners Limited; McDowell Beverages Limited; USL Holdings Limited; Spring Valley Investments Holdings Inc.; USL Holdings (UK) Limited, United Sprits (UK) Limited; United Spirits (Great Britain) Limited and Herbertsons Limited.


Subsequent to the Balance Sheet date, following Companies have become subsidiaries of The Company. 
 
McDowell & Company Limited; Liquidity Inc.; Whyte and Mackay Group Limited; Whyte and Mackay Limited; Whyte and Mackay Warehousing Limited; Bruce & Company Limited; Charles Mackinlay & Company Limited, Dalmore Distillers Limited; Dalmore Whyte & Mackay Limited; Edinburgh Scotch Whisky Company Limited; Ewen & Company Limited; Fettercairn Distillery Limited; Findlater Scotch Whisky Limited; Glayva Liqueur Limited; Glentalla Limited; GPS Realisations Limited; Grey Rogers & Company Limited; Hay & MacLeod Limited; Invergordon Distillers (Holdings) Limited; Inverodgordon Limited; Isle of Jura Distillery Company Limited; Jarvis Halliday & Company Limited; John E McPherson & Sons Limited; KI Trustees Limited; Kensington Distillers Limited; Kyndal Spirits Limited; Leith Distillers Limited; Loch Glass Distilling Company Limited; Longman Distillers Limited; Lycidas (437) Limited; Pentland Bonding Company Limited; Ronald Morrison & Company Limited; St. Vincent Street (437) Limited; Tamnavulin-Glenlivet Distillery Company Limited; TDL Realisations Limited; The Invergordon Distillers Group Limited;The Invergordon Distillers Limited; The Sheep Dip Whisky Company Limited; W & S Strong Limited; Watson & Middleton Limited; Wauchope Moodie & Company Limited; Whyte and Mackay de Venezuela CA; 


Whyte & Mackay Distillers Limited; Whyte and Mackay Holdings Limited; Whyte and Mackay Property Limited; William Muir Limited and WMB Realisations Limited; 


Consequent to the dissolution without winding up of Shaw Wallace Financial Services Limited upon its amalgamation with Shaw Wallace Breweries Limited, in terms of the Orders of the Hon'ble High Courts of Calcutta and Bombay, Shaw Wallace Financial Services Limited ceased to be a subsidiary of The Company in the current year. 


In terms of the approval received from the Government of India pursuant to Section 212(8) of the Companies Act, 1956, the Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss Account, Directors' Report, Auditors' Report and other particulars of the subsidiary companies as on March 31, 2007 have not been attached with the accounts of the Company. The documents/details will be made available to any Member of the Company upon request to the Company. The annual accounts of the, subsidiary Companies as on March 31, 2007 will also be kept for inspection by any member at Registered Office of the Company and that of the subsidiary Companies concerned. 


The Accounting year of McDowell Nepal Limited (MNL) (which has been converted into a Private Limited Company and renamed as United Spirits Nepal Private Limited, in the current year), The Company's Subsidiary in Nepal is from mid-July to mid-July every year. Accordingly, Accounting year of 2005-06 of MNL ended on July 16, and the Accounting Year 2006-07 ended on July 16, 2007, i.e., after the end of the close of the financial year of The Company which ended on March 31, 2007. For the purpose of compliance under Accounting Standard - 21, relating to "Consolidated Financial Statement," the Accounts of MNL has keen drawn up to March 31, 2007.  


For the purpose of compliance under Accounting Standard 21-"Consolidated Financial Statement" presented by the Company includes the financial information of its subsidiaries. 


DEPOSITORY SYSTEM: 


The trading in the equity shares of The Company is under compulsory dematerialisation mode. As of date, equity shares representing 94.01% of the equity share capital are in dematerialised form. As the depository system offers numerous advantages, members are requested to take advantage of the same and avail of the facility of dematerialisation of the Company's shares. 

 

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS REPORT: 


INDUSTRY OVERVIEW: 


The India Growth Story is one of a trillion dollar economy growing @ about 9% p.a. Currently the 4th largest economy in the world in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), its economic growth rate is expected to continue, driven by booming consumer demand and investments in infrastructure. A young economy, India is entering the demographic window with over half the country's population of 1.1 billion under 25 years of age. This is in contrast to most developed nations which are faced with greying populations and low or negative birth rates. The middle class is already in excess of 300 million and rapid urbanization, changing life styles, higher disposable income and shifts in expenditure patterns, particularly of the youth, are all contributing to growing demand for all manner of products including alcoholic beverages. 

 
The alcoholic beverages industry in India comprises 5 key segments, viz. Beer, Wine, Indian Made Liquor (IMFL), Bottled Orgin (NIO) Alcoholic Products and Country Liquor. The Company, primarily in the IMFL space with clearly chalked out plans for the Wine and BIO sectors. In 2006-07, the IMFL industry grew over 16% to register sales of over 157 million cases of 9 Bulk Litres (BL) each. The industry was particularly buoyant with the opening up of the key Northern markets of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Changes in the alcohol policy in these States opened up the industry from one controlled by a few large syndicates to wide-spread ownership, thereby paving the way for reasonable prides and free play of market forces. 


The country liquor segment is. an unorganized business area and at best `guesstimates' of the market size alone are available. These `guessestimates' place the size of the industry at between 200 and 225 million cases of 9 BL each. However, post the year under review, Karnataka, a large and the only remaining bastion of country liquor in South India, decided to close down the country liquor market effective July 2007. This is expected to translate to a spurt in demand for IMFL, albeit at the bottom end of that market. 


Despite an impressive 21% growth in White Spirits led by a phenomenal 44% growth in the Vodka segment, White Spirits, comprising Gins, White Rums and Vodkas continue to remain a mere: 5% of the industry. In sharp contract to global trends, brown spirits continue to dominate the Indian IMFL space - Whisky at 57%, Brandy at 16% and Rum at 22% - together aggregating 95% of this 157 million cases market. 


For the very same reasons that are shaping the Indian growth story, the demand for alcoholic beverages is expected to continue to be buoyant with a large population base and a growing number of new entrants into the legal drinking age category. The progressive prohibition of country liquor in many markets is only expected to further propel the growth of the IMFL industry. 


REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT: 


"The Constitution of India has placed the regulation and taxation of the alcoholic beverages industry within the purview of the State Governments and not of the Federal Government. The Central Government continues to licence green-field manufacturing units and impose customs duties on import. Every other activity dealing with production, movement, distribution, sale and taxation are controlled by the states. The multiplicity of regulation legislated by different Governments and indeed by different arms of the same Government, make it a highly complex and challenging regulatory environment which undergoes changes virtually every year. 


The dual control on the industry often creates a position of failing between two stools with both, Governments' unwillingness to give up their stated positions due to the revenue implications of any decision. Progressive legislations of the recent past like VAT often do not include the alcoholic beverages industry within their-ambit; a similar case is that of CENVAT credit not being available to the industry despite the large contributions made by it towards Excise Duty and other taxes. 


BUSINESS ANALYSIS: 


Though raw material (molasses) prices have come off their highs of the previous year, the average price during the year remained higher than average. However, there are signs of continuing softening which will benefit operations of the current year. Counterbalancing this is the pressure of increased diversion of spirit towards ethanol spiking of fuel as mandated from time to time. 


Fuel prices during the year though have been steady although with the rise in crude prices they have seen a quantum upward shift vis-a-vis previous years. 


When prices of the primary raw materials had escalated, The Company had consciously decided to de-emphasize both production and sale of the low-end brands whose profitability was under strain due to the rise in input costs. In FY'07 too, this position continued to be the guiding principle for the business, with the result that the business took a drop of 2.95 million cases in sales of the low-end products. Despite this, overall volumes rose by 6.99 million-cases to a level of 66.4 million cases. 


The Company's Key Premium Brands grew by 19%; deliberate de-emphasis of the low-end range however, pulled down the average growth to 12%. 


MARKETING:  
 
McDowell's No.1 is arguably the largest umbrella brand in the alcoholic beverages business. Offered in the flavours of Whisky, Brandy, Rum and White Rum, the brand sold over 22 million cases during FY '07, a 32% growth over the previous fiscal. Bagpiper Whisky continued to remain the world's largest selling non Scotch whisky - with a 25% growth, its volumes were nearly 14 million cases. 


Continuous revamping of the key packaging elements to make the brands trendy and contemporary has been one of the main reasons why the Company's products are viewed as `best of breed'. During the fiscal year, new packaging innovations like substitution of the Nip glass bottle by international class Tetra pack packaging caught the fancy of the customer in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka where there were introduced. 
 
As part of the brand-building exercise, the Company continues to promote key music and sporting events like the sponsorship of international singing events like Shakira, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, etc. 


The brands are also continuing their association with upmarket sports like Golf. 

 

OUTLOOK:

 
In a market where over 50% of the volume is sold to Government agencies who administer the prices of The Company's products, price increases, even to cover normal inflation, are difficult to come about. This has a bearing on the Company's profits. The Company has, through a judicious mix of strategy and cost control / cost cutting, been able to ensure a rise in overall profitability. 

 

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS: 


During the current year, the Company launched its international operations with the acquisition of M/s. Bouvet-Ladubay S.A., a 3.2 mn bottle winery in the Saumur Valley in the Loire region of France. This Company is now a subsidiary of The Company. The Company's products are well received in France, Germany and other European markets as also in the U.S. Plans are underway to expand the reach of its products including into the Indian market in BIO form. The expertise of M/s. Bouvet-Ladubay is also being obtained by the Company to set up a state-of-the-art winery in Western India. 


Subsequent to the close of the year, United Spirits Limited acquired the entire capital of Whyte and Mackay Limited, Glasgow, the 4th largest producer of Scotch in the World. The Indian consumer, for whom Whisky comprises the most popular and widespread flavour, Scotch is seen as the most aspirational product. As The Company pursues "up trading"; increasing numbers of consumers demand Scotch. Increasing disposable income also makes this segment more affordable. To cater to this emerging opportunity as also to have a perennial source of Scotch to use as blending material for the IMFL products, this acquisition is seen as a strategically vital one. 

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: 


This Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Actual results, performances or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements that speak only as of their dates. This Report should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included herein and the notes thereto. 

 

Fixed Assets

 

 

Contingent Liabilities

(Rs. in millions)

 

31.03.2007

31.03.2006

a)

(i) Guarantee given on behalf of other bodies corporate (including

performance guarantees)

(ii) Guarantees given by the Company's bankers for which Counter Guarantees have been given by the Company

 

31.250

 

98.012

 

250.000

 

75.778

b) Disputed claims against the Company not acknowledged as debts, currently under appeal / sub judice:

  • Excise demands for excess wastages and distillation losses
  • Other miscellaneous claims
  • Income Tax demand (including'interest) under appeal
  • Sales Tax demands under appeal in various states

 

 

214.841

217.549

79.499

438.350

 

 

181.650

232.904

44.407

387.331

c) Bills Receivables discounted - since .fully settled

--

120.899

d) Co-accepted bills of Tie-up Units -.since fully settled

71.651

67.940

e) Claims from suppliers not acknowledged as debts

58.583

45.865

 

The Management is hopeful of succeeding in the above appeals / disputes based on legal opinions / legal

presidents.

 

2. (a) Under a Scheme of Arrangement sanctioned by the Hon'ble High Courts of Karnataka and Bombay ("the Scheme"), amalgamation of eight companies into erstwhile McDowell & Company Limited and demerger of investment business into a resulting company (McDowell Holdings Limited) became effective from October 5, 2006 with the appointed date as April 1, 2005,and the name of the company was changed from McDowell & Company Limited to United Spirits Limited.

 

Pursuant to "the Scheme", the Company at their meeting held on November 6, 2006, allotted 34,010,521 Equity Shares of Rs.10/- each fully paid up and 7J50,000 9% Non Cumulative Non Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares of Rs.10/- each fully paid up to the shareholders of the transferor companies. The Company has also received the listing and trading permission for the equity shares from the National Stock Exchange of India Limited7Bombay Stock Exchange Limited, Bangalore Stock Exchange Limited, Ahmedabad Stock Exchange Limited and Madras Stock Exchange Limited, The Delhi Stock Exchange Association Limited and the Calcutta Stock Exchange Association Limited.

 

Subsequent to the end of the financial year, the Non-Cumulative Non-Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares have been fully redeemed1. - :

(b) Board of Directors of the erstwhile Central Distilleries & Breweries Limited (CDBL) (amalgamated with SWDL in an earlier year) on April 29, 1986 decided to issue 134,700 Equity Shares of Rs.10 each, the allotment whereof was stayed by the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi on September 13,19.88. The Hon'ble High Court of Delhi has vacated its order and has ordered to keep in abeyance the allotment on 72,556 shares and the matter is subjudice. The holders, in exchange of these shares will be entitled to 17,776 equity shares of Rs.10 each of the Company pursuant to the Scheme. Necessary adjustments in this respect will be carried out on disposal of the matter pending before the aforesaid Court.

 

(c) Pursuant to the Scheme, the bank accounts, agreements, licences, Investments and certain immovable properties are in the process of being transferred in the name of the Company.

 

(d) The Company has also distributed the proceeds towards the sale of fractional shares entitlement to the eligible shareholders.

 

3. a) The Company had issued, during 2006, 100,000, 2% Convertible Bonds in Foreign Currency (FCCB) denominated in Bond certificates of US$1,000 each aggregating US$ 100 Million. The FCCBs are, at the option of FCCB holders, convertible into fully paid Equity Shares of Rs.10/- of the Company (Equity Share) or Global Depository Shares (GDS), with two GDS representing one Equity Share, at any time on or after May 9, 2006 upto the close of business on March 15, 2011 at an initial conversion price of Rs.858 per share with a fixed rate of exchange on conversion of Rs.44.43 equal to US$ 1.00, subject to adjustments in the manner specified in the Offering Circular (OC) dated March 29, 2006 upon occurrence of certain events. The Company, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions, has an option to mandatorily convert these FCCBs into Equity Shares, in whole but not in part, at any time on or after September 29, 2007 but not less than seven business days prior to the Maturity Date (March 30, 2011), at a conversion price to be determined in the manner specified in the OC. The Company, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions and obtaining requisite approvals, has an option/,to redeem these FCCBs, in whole but not in part, at an Early Redemption Amount, to be determined in the manner specified in the OC so that together with any interest and unpaid interest it represent a gross yield of 6.50 percent to the FCCB holders, on a semi annual basis, together with accrued or unpaid interest.The outstanding FCCBs on the Maturity Date (March 30, 2011) will be redeemed at 127.07 percent of the principal amounts of the FCCBs.

 

The initial conversion price of Rs.858 per share has been adjusted in the manner specified in the OC and new conversion price of Rs.781 per share is effective from June 8, 2007.

 

b) Subsequent to the year end, 78,960 Bonds aggregating to US$,78.960 Million have been converted into 4,484,397 Equity shares. Consequently, the paid up equity share capital increased from 94,481,930 equity shares of Rs.10/- each to 98,966,327 equity shares of Rs.10/- each as of date.

 

c) Since the market price of the Company's Equity Shares is less than the initial conversion price of FCCB, the option embedded in the said FCCB to subscribe to Equity Shares is, at the year-end, anti-dilutive

 

4. a) Subsequent to the year end, the Company acquired through its wholly owned subsidiary, United Spirits (Great Britain) Limited, the entire share capital of Whyte and Mackay Group Limited, which in turn holds the entire share capital of Whyte and Mackay Limited, a Scotland based Spirits manufacturing company. The Company has provided security / guarantee on behalf .of,the above wholly owned subsidiary for a sum of US $ 618.915 Million in favour of the lenders.

 

b) Consequent upon the above acquisition, the following companies became wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Whyte and Mackay Group Limited, Whyte and Mackay Limited, Whyte and Mackay Warehousing Limited, Bruce & Company (Leith) Limited, Charles Mackinlay & Company Limited, Dalmore Distillers Limited, Dalmore Whyte & Mackay Limited, Edinburgh Scotch Whisky Company Limited, Ewen & Company Limited, Fettercairn Distillery "Limited,Tindlater"'Scotch Whisky Limited, Glayva Liqueur Limited, Glentalla Limited, GPS Realisations Limited, Grey Rogers & Company Limited, Hay & MacLeod Limited, Invergordon Distillers (Holdings) Limited, Invergordon Distillers Group Limited, Invergordon Distillers Limited, Invergordon Gin Limited,Isle of Jura Distillery Company Limited, Jarvis Halliday & Company Limited, John E McPherson & Sons Limited, Kensington Distillers Limited, Kyndal Spirits Limited, Leith Distillers Limited, Loch Glass Distilling Company Limited, Longman Distillers Limited, Lycidas (437) Limited, Pentland Bonding Company Limited, Ronald Morrison & Company Limited, St The Sheep Dip Whisky Company Limited, Vincent Street (437) Limited, Tamnavulin-Glenlivet Distillery Company Limited, TDL Realisations Limited, W & S Strong Limited, Watson & Middleton Limited, Wauchope Moodie & Company Limited, Whyte & Mackay Distillers Limited, William Muir Limited, WMB Realisations Limited, Whyte and Mackay Property Limited, Whyte and Mackay de Venezuela CA and Kl Trustees Limited.

 

5. The Company, in earlier year, granted interest free loans in foreign currency aggregating to Rs.7,356.189 Million to Zelinka Limited (Zelinka), Cyprus, a subsidiary of the Company, fo.r acquisition of long term strategic investment in Shaw Wallace & Company Limited. Management is of the view that these loans, from the inception of the grant of loan, in substance, form part of the Company's net investment in Zelinka as the settlement of these loans is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future and management intends to convert this loan into investment in share capital of Zelinka in near future. Accordingly, in accordance with AS 11 – The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (AS 11), exchange difference aggregating to Rs. 144.912 Million [including exchange difference aggregating to Rs.36.478 Million recognised in the Profit and Loss Account in the previous year reversed during the year and disclosed as Prior Period Item in Note 11 (a) below] arising on such loans has been accumulated in a foreign currency translation reserve, which at the time of the disposal of the net investment in Zelinka would be recognised as income or as expenses.

 

 

WEBSITE DETAILS ATTACHED:

 

Profile

 

United Spirits Limited (USL) is the largest Spirits Company in India and among the top three spirits companies in the world.


Besides Whyte & Mackay and Bouvet Ladubay being 100% subsidiaries of USL, the company has 17 millionaire brands (selling more than a million cases a year) in its portfolio and enjoys a strong 59% market share for its first line brands in India. United Spirits' brands have won the most prestigious awards for flavors, ranging from Mondial to International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) to International Taste and Quality Institute (ITQI); more than 80 awards and certificates. The Company is known to be an innovator in the industry and has several firsts to its credit like the first pre-mixed gin, the first Tetrapack in the spirits industry in India, first single malt manufactured in Asia and the first diet versions of whisky and vodka in India.


USL has a global footprint with exports to over 59 countries. It has a sizeable presence in India with distilleries and sales offices all across the country, and a committed team of over 7500 people dedicated to the fulfillment of the company's mission. It has established manufacturing and bottling plants in every state of India. In addition, to deliver its products to customers located anywhere in India, USL has established a robust distribution network covering the whole country.

 

Press Release

 

United Spirits Ltd. (USL) Secures Presence in Tamil Nadu – Balaji Distilleries Limited to merge into USL

 

PRESS RELEASE
Nov 29, 2008

 

Bangalore , November 29, 2008 : The Board of Directors of USL at their meeting held today, approved the merger of Balaji Distilleries Limited (BDL) into USL in an all stock deal. The merger will be effective from 1st April ’09, subject to the requisite approvals from the relevant Statutory Authorities and stakeholders.


Based on the recommendation by the independent valuation firms, the Boards of both Companies agreed that on a fully diluted basis, shareholders of BDL, will be allotted 2 shares in USL for every 55 shares held in BDL.  

Commenting on transaction, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman of the UB Group said in a communication that this merger would de-risk USL’s significant earnings in an important market and would give UB the strategic advantage to consolidate the Group’s leadership position in a critical, large and growing State.


BDL has been a Contract Manufacturing Unit for UB Group ever since its inception in the year 1983. BDL has a large “state of the art” Distillery and Brewery in Tamil Nadu. The Distillery has a capacity to produce ten million cases per year while the Brewery has a capacity of Nine million dozens per annum expandable to about 12 mio dozens.
 
The UB Group sells about 12 mio cases each of the Spirits and Beer in Tamil Nadu, growing at about 15% annually.

Tamil Nadu is one of the largest and strategically important markets for USL, accounting for  nearly 15% of the company's national volumes. The state ranks 5th in terms of contributions to USL's bottomline. Currently USL has a market share of about 51% in first line brands in the State.


The Tamil Nadu market accounts for almost 18% of UB Group’s brewing business and about 19% of its national contribution. BDL accounts for 60% of UB’s beer volumes in the state. UB enjoys 59% market share in the State’s beer market with 73% share in mild segment and 54% share in strong segment.


Tamil Nadu is the only key State where USL does not own a production facility, primarily due to regulatory constraints that prevented setting up of new units, and also transfer of existing licences. The State also does not permit import of products from outside Tamil Nadu. The company's ability to realise full potential in the state has been held back mainly on this account. This acquisition would give it the required leeway to meet the ever increasing demand for its brands in the State.

 
The valuation was carried out by Grant Thornton and Lodha & Company.

 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt. Ltd. and Ambit Corporate Finance Pte Limited, advised the Company on the transaction.

 

 

 


CMT REPORT (Corruption, Money Laundering & Terrorism]

 

The Public Notice information has been collected from various sources including but not limited to: The Courts, India Prisons Service, Interpol, etc.

 

1]         INFORMATION ON DESIGNATED PARTY

No records exist designating subject or any of its beneficial owners, controlling shareholders or senior officers as terrorist or terrorist organization or whom notice had been received that all financial transactions involving their assets have been blocked or convicted, found guilty or against whom a judgement or order had been entered in a proceedings for violating money-laundering, anti-corruption or bribery or international economic or anti-terrorism sanction laws or whose assets were seized, blocked, frozen or ordered forfeited for violation of money laundering or international anti-terrorism laws.

 

2]         Court Declaration :

No records exist to suggest that subject is or was the subject of any formal or informal allegations, prosecutions or other official proceeding for making any prohibited payments or other improper payments to government officials for engaging in prohibited transactions or with designated parties.

 

3]         Asset Declaration :

No records exist to suggest that the property or assets of the subject are derived from criminal conduct or a prohibited transaction.

 

4]         Record on Financial Crime :

            Charges or conviction registered against subject:                                                  None

 

5]         Records on Violation of Anti-Corruption Laws :

            Charges or investigation registered against subject:                                                          None

 

6]         Records on Int’l Anti-Money Laundering Laws/Standards :

            Charges or investigation registered against subject:                                                          None

 

7]         Criminal Records

No available information exist that suggest that subject or any of its principals have been formally charged or convicted by a competent governmental authority for any financial crime or under any formal investigation by a competent government authority for any violation of anti-corruption laws or international anti-money laundering laws or standard.

 

8]         Affiliation with Government :

No record exists to suggest that any director or indirect owners, controlling shareholders, director, officer or employee of the company is a government official or a family member or close business associate of a Government official.

 

9]         Compensation Package :

Our market survey revealed that the amount of compensation sought by the subject is fair and reasonable and comparable to compensation paid to others for similar services.

 

10]        Press Report :

            No press reports / filings exists on the subject.

 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

MIRA INFORM as part of its Due Diligence do provide comments on Corporate Governance to identify management and governance. These factors often have been predictive and in some cases have created vulnerabilities to credit deterioration.

 

Our Governance Assessment focuses principally on the interactions between a company’s management, its Board of Directors, Shareholders and other financial stakeholders.

 

 

CONTRAVENTION

 

Subject is not known to have contravened any existing local laws, regulations or policies that prohibit, restrict or otherwise affect the terms and conditions that could be included in the agreement with the subject.

 

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.47.94

UK Pound

1

Rs.72.07

Euro

1

Rs.64.70

 

 

SCORE & RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

SCORE FACTORS

 

RANGE

POINTS

HISTORY

1~10

7

PAID-UP CAPITAL

1~10

8

OPERATING SCALE

1~10

8

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

 

--BUSINESS SCALE

1~10

9

--PROFITABILIRY

1~10

7

--LIQUIDITY

1~10

8

--LEVERAGE

1~10

8

--RESERVES

1~10

8

--CREDIT LINES

1~10

7

--MARGINS

-5~5

--

DEMERIT POINTS

 

 

--BANK CHARGES

YES/NO

YES

--LITIGATION

YES/NO

NO

--OTHER ADVERSE INFORMATION

YES/NO

NO

MERIT POINTS

 

 

--SOLE DISTRIBUTORSHIP

YES/NO

NO

--EXPORT ACTIVITIES

YES/NO

YES

--AFFILIATION

YES/NO

YES

--LISTED

YES/NO

YES

--OTHER MERIT FACTORS

YES/NO

YES

TOTAL

 

70

 

This score serves as a reference to assess SC’s credit risk and to set the amount of credit to be extended. It is calculated from a composite of weighted scores obtained from each of the major sections of this report. The assessed factors and their relative weights (as indicated through %) are as follows:

 

Financial condition (40%)            Ownership background (20%)                 Payment record (10%)

Credit history (10%)                    Market trend (10%)                                Operational size (10%)

 


 

RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

RATING

STATUS

 

 

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

>86

Aaa

Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest capability for timely payment of interest and principal sums

 

Unlimited

71-85

Aa

Possesses adequate working capital. No caution needed for credit transaction. It has above average (strong) capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Large

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Fairly Large

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

 

Satisfactory

26-40

B

Unfavourable & favourable factors carry similar weight in credit consideration. Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

 

Small

11-25

Ca

Adverse factors are apparent. Repayment of interest and principal sums in default or expected to be in default upon maturity

 

Limited with full security

<10

C

Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised

 

 

Credit not recommended

NR

In view of the lack of information, we have no basis upon which to recommend credit dealings

No Rating

 

 

 

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL : This information is provided to you at your request, you having employed MIPL for such purpose. You will use the information as aid only in determining the propriety of giving credit and generally as an aid to your business and for no other purpose. You will hold the information in strict confidence, and shall not reveal it or make it known to the subject persons, firms or corporations or to any other. MIPL does not warrant the correctness of the information as you hold it free of any liability whatsoever. You will be liable to and indemnify MIPL for any loss, damage or expense, occasioned by your breach or non observance of any one, or more of these conditions