MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

03.03.2008

 

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

ADVANTA INDIA LIMITED

 

 

Registered Office :

B -22, Brigade MM Building, KR Road Cross, Yediyur, Bangalore – 560 082, Karnataka

 

 

Country :

India

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2006

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

24.01.1994

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

31458

 

 

CIN No.:

[Company Identification No.]

U01119KA1994PLC031458

 

 

TAN No.:

[Tax Deduction & Collection Account No.]

BLRA06535E

 

 

PAN No.:

[Permanent Account No.]

AACCA7700L

 

 

Legal Form :

A Closely held Public Limited Liability Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Development, Production and Marketing of yielding hybrid seeds of crops.

 

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

Aa

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

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

 

Maximum Credit Limit :

USD 4810400

 

 

Status :

Good

 

 

Payment Behaviour :

Regular

 

 

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

Comments :

Subject is a well – established and reputed company having fine track. It is a part of United Phosphorous Group. Available information indicates high financial responsibility of the company. Trade relations are fair. Payments are reported as usually correct and as per commitments.

 

The company can be considered good for any normal business dealings at usual trade terms ands conditions.

 

 

LOCATIONS

 

Registered Office :

B -22, Brigade MM Building, KR Road Cross, Yediyur, Bangalore – 560 082, Karnataka, India 

E-Mail :

manoj.gupta@advantaseeds.com  

dmullick@advantaindia.com

sureshk@advantaindia.com

Website :

www.advantageindia.com

 

 

Corporate Office :

203-205, 2nd Floor, Bhuvana Towers, S.D. Road, Secunderabad - 500 003, Andhra Pradesh, India

Tel. No.:

91-40-66284000 (15 Lines)

Fax No.:

91-40-27890138

E-Mail :

email@advantaindia.com

 

 

Administrative Office:

8 -12 B Block , Brigade  MM Building, K R Road, Cross, Yediyur, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Tel. No.:

91-80-26766764

Fax No.:

91-80-26764742

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

Name :

Mr. Jai R Shroff

Designation :

Chairman

 

 

Name :

Mr. V R Kaundinya

Designation :

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Name :

Mr. Vikram Shroff

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. Vinod Sethi

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. Hardeep Singh

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. Vasant P Gandhi

Designation :

Director

 

 

KEY EXECUTIVES

 

Name :

Mr. Champak Kesari Burma

Designation :

Company Secretary

 

 

BUSINESS DETAILS

 

Line of Business :

Development, Production and Marketing of yielding hybrid seeds of crops.

 

 

Products :

·         Cotton

·         Grain

·         Multicut

·         Maize

·         Rapeseed

·         Pearl

·         Rice

·         Sunflower

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Bankers :

NA

 

 

Banking Relations :

----

 

 

Auditors :

 

Name :

S V Ghatalia and Associates

Chartered Accountant

 

 

Group Companies :

·         Advanta

·         Pacific Seeds Pty Limited

·         Nutrisun

·         Pacific Seeds Thai Limited

 

 

Associates/Subsidiaries :

·         Advanta Holdings B.V., Netherlands

·         Advanta Netherlands Holdings B.V., Netherlands;

·         Advanta Finance B.V., Netherlands;

·         Advanta International B.V., Netherlands,

·         Pacific Seeds Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Thailand;

·         Pacific Seeds Pty Limited, Australia;

·         Pacific Seeds (Thai) Limited, Thailand, and

·         Advanta Semillas SAIC, Argentina. 

 

 

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

Authorised Capital :

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

20000000

Equity shares

Rs. 10/- each

Rs 200.000 millions

 

Issued, Subscribed & Paid-up Capital :

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

11780000

Equity shares

Rs. 10/- each

Rs.117.800 millions

 

 

FINANCIAL DATA

[all figures are in Rupees Millions]

 

ABRIDGED BALANCE SHEET

 

SOURCES OF FUNDS

 

31.12.2006

(9 months)

31.03.2006

31.03.2005

SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Share Capital

117.800

63.000

63.000

2] Share Application Money

0.000

0.000

0.000

3] Reserves & Surplus

1084.800

190.800

176.100

4] (Accumulated Losses)

0.000

0.000

0.000

NETWORTH

1202.600

253.800

239.100

LOAN FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Secured Loans

40.000

40.000

0.000

2] Unsecured Loans

403.900

250.000

0.000

TOTAL BORROWING

443.900

290.00

0.000

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

1646.500

543.800

239.100

 

 

 

 

APPLICATION OF FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED ASSETS [Net Block]

158.400

114.000

122.700

Capital work-in-progress

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT

1.400

16.500

0.100

DEFERREX TAX ASSETS

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS & ADVANCES

 

 

 

 

Inventories

176.300

105.400

92.200

 

Sundry Debtors

55.000

51.200

36.300

 

Cash & Bank Balances

472.000

5.500

104.400

 

Other Current Assets

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

Loans & Advances

1008.600

479.200

131.900

Total Current Assets

1711.900

641.300

364.800

Less : CURRENT LIABILITIES & PROVISIONS

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

239.300

194.000

248.500

 

Provisions

24.400

34.000

0.000

Total Current Liabilities

263.700

228.000

248.500

Net Current Assets

1448.200

413.300

116.300

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

38.500

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

1646.500

543.800

239.100

 

PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT

 

PARTICULARS

 

31.12.2006

(9 months)

31.03.2006

31.03.2005

Sales Turnover

710.900

483.300

511.200

Other Income

284.500

5.100

12.300

Total Income

995.400

488.400

523.500

 

 

 

 

Profit/(Loss) Before Tax

373.500

55.500

83.300

Provision for Taxation

73.700

11.000

11.000

Profit/(Loss) After Tax

299.800

44.500

72.300

 

 

 

 

Expenditures :

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing Expenses

284.600

113.900

139.200

 

Administrative Expenses

270.500

210.100

237.700

 

Increase/(Decrease) in Finished Goods

[71.600]

[7.400]

[18.800]

 

Salaries, Wages, Bonus, etc.

60.700

59.900

67.500

 

Interest

47.600

25.900

1.200

 

Power & Fuel

3.300

4.100

0.000

 

Depreciation & Amortization

9.900

13.200

13.400

 

Other Expenditure

16.900

13.200

0.000

Total Expenditure

621.900

432.900

440.200

 

QUARTERLY RESULTS

 

PARTICULARS

 

31.03.2007

30.06.2007

30.09.2007

Type

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Sales Turnover

102.600

524.000

64.500

Other Income

26.700

86.000

73.800

Total Income

129.300

610.000

138.300

Total Expenditure

131.600

276.100

169.400

Operating Profit

-2.300

333.900

-31.100

Interest

18.200

42.500

11.400

Gross Profit

-20.500

291.400

-42.500

Depreciation

3.000

19.800

19.500

Tax

37.500

26.800

6.500

Reported PAT

-18.300

202.100

-54.300

 

KEY RATIOS

 

Year

31.12.2006

(9 months)

31.03.2006

31.03.2005

Debt-Equity Ratio

0.50

0.59

0.00

Long Term Debt-Equity Ratio

0.44

0.59

0.00

Current Ratio

3.95

2.11

1.44

TURNOVER RATIOS

Fixed Assets

3.91

2.23

2.40

Inventory

6.73

4.89

6.32

Debtors

17.85

11.05

14.52

Interest Cover Ratio

3.95

3.14

70.42

Operating Profit Margin(%)

27.84

19.57

19.15

Profit Before Interest And Tax Margin(%)

26.45

16.84

16.53

Cash Profit Margin(%)

17.01

11.94

16.76

Adjusted Net Profit Margin(%)

15.61

9.21

14.14

Return On Capital Employed(%)

23.30

20.79

35.65

Return On Net Worth(%)

20.81

18.06

30.50

 

 

LOCAL AGENCY FURTHER INFORMATION

 

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE: 

During the year under review, the monsoon was erratic particularly in the Sunflower growing areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The performance of the company was impacted due to the erratic monsoon.  

 
The Company was able to maintain profitable operations during the year.

 

The Company looks forward to a normal business year in 2007 on expectations of a normal monsoon. 
 
SCHEME OF AMALGAMATION:  

In December, 2006, A Scheme of Arrangement between the Company and Uniphos Seeds and Biogenetics Private Limited (USBPL) and their respective shareholders was sanctioned by the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka vide their Order dated 15th December, 2006 and by the Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat vide their Order dated 11th December, 2006. As per the said Scheme, the entire business and undertaking of the USBPL including all the assets and liabilities were transferred to and vested in the Company with effect from the appointed date viz. 1st April, 2006. 

 
Pursuant to the Scheme, 3377500 fully paid up equity shares of Rs.10 each have been allotted by the Company to the Shareholders of USBPL in the ratio of 4 Shares of the Company for every 7 Equity Shares of Rs.10 each fully paid up held in USBPL. 

 

RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT: 

With the merger of USBPL, the company has now got Cotton breeding  activities added to its portfolio. Based on a license to access BT technologies of Chinese origin, they have introduced Bt Cotton successfully during khariff season of 2006. 

 
During the year they have strengthened their Hyrid Rice research considerably.

 

They have now got active collaboration and networking with various research institutions and R and D programs of Adverts, world wide. This will facilitate to bring out high quality new products in future. They are also using Marker Technology for the world class research programs of the company worldwide.

 
CAPITAL STRUCTURE: 

During the Company has allotted 1677000 Equity Shares to the Pre-Issue Investors at a price of Rs.625 per Equity Share under the Pre-Issue Placement according to the resolution of the Board dated February 23, 2007.

 
During the year, the company made a maiden public offering of 3380000 equity shares with a price band of Rs.600/- to Rs.650/- for which the subscription was open from 26th March to 30th March 2007. The investors response was good and the company allotted the shares at 95.640/- per equity share of Rs.10/- each. With the allotment of 33,80,000 equity shares to the public on 13th April 2007, the paid up capital of the Company has gone up to Rs.168.345 millions. As per the SEBI (Disclosure and Investor Protection) Guidelines, 2000, all fresh issue of shares to the public shall be in the dematerialized form only. Accordingly, to facilitate the public to hold the shares in the demat form, the Company entered into a tripartite agreement with National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) Central Depository Services India Limited (CDSL) and Sharepro Services (India) Private Limited.  

UTILISATION OF PRE IPO AND IPO PROCEEDS: 

Out of the proceeds of Pre IPO of Rs.1048.100 millions, the entire proceeds have been invested in their subsidiary, Advanta Holdings B.V. 

 
Out of Rs.2163.200 millions raised through Initial Public Offer (IPO) Rs.400.000 millions have been utilised for the purpose of Investment in subsidiary, Advanta Holdings B.V. The balance amount is invested in Fixed Deposit with Banks which would be utilised during the current financial year.

 

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS: 

Industry Structure and Development: 

The core business of Adverts is seeds and agricultural biotechnology.

 

Adverts is a unique Indian company that has global operations in seeds and has leadership position in some of the crops like Sunflower, Sorghum and Sweet Corn. 


The company is present directly in four countries of Asia Pacific and South America, the two fastest growing seed markets in the world. Apart from direct operations in Australia, Thailand, India and Argentina. The company exports seeds to 14 other countries in the Asia, Africa and South American continents of the world. The company is a well recognized brand name in the world because of its history of more than 40 years. 

 
In India Uniphos Seeds and Biogenetics (USBPL), the earlier seeds business of the UPL group, merged into Advanta India in 2000. This helped the company to enter into Cotton seeds business. 

 
The value of the global seed market is growing continuously because of the increasing hybridization of the seed market and the increasing application of biotechnology to seeds. 

 
The company participates actively in both these aspects of value addition by continuously developing better quality hybrid seeds and commercializing the biotech traits in agricultural crops. The company operates through high quality breeding programs in different parts of the world. In addition the company applies Molecular Marker technology in Sunflower, Sorghum, Corn and other crops to increase the speed and precision of the breeding programs. 
 
To access biotech traits Adverts enters into licensing agreements with some of the global leaders in agricultural biotechnology. Advents was able to introduce Bt Cotton technology in India by entering into a license arrangement for the Chinese Bt technology. 

 
Similarly in countries like Australia and Argentina. The Company is working with Transgenic technologies licensed from global majors. Opportunities and Threats: 

 
 a) The need for continuously increasing agricultural productivity is high on the priorities of many countries including India. This is possible only by increasing the genetic potential of the seeds on a continuous basis Seed  
is the most critical input in this process. So, the demand for good quality hybrid seeds will keep increasing around the world. This is the biggest opportunity for companies like Advanta. 

 
In this category Hybrid Rice is a big opportunity that is emerging in India and the other Rice growing countries in Asia and South America. Enhancing the productivity of Rice is a major benefit that is delivered by the hybrid technology. The company is well placed to utilize this opportunity with the help of the high quality breeding program and products that already exist with the company. These assets are being strengthened through additional investments. 

 
b) Along with the need for increasing yields it is also necessary to breed seeds for pest resistance, drought tolerance and to improve the quality of the output. These objectives are now met through the use of biotech traits.

This is a major emerging opportunity to add value to the seeds. The company achieves this through licensing of biotech traits. 

 
In this category, among the crops that the company is dealing in, application of biotech traits (input traits) is expected to be a major factor in cotton, corn, canola and rice. 

 
Among the output traits, while many companies are working on Genetically Modified traits, The company has successfully developed a non-GM trait in Sunflower that gives a healthy oil. This is called the Sunset project.

 

There is a major demand coming up for transfat free oils in the world. This is an emerging opportunity for Advanta's Sunset sunflower oil when it gets commercialized in 2009. 

 
c) Dependence of agriculture on monsoon is a major threat to the seeds business just as it is to any agricultural input business. In individual countries this will always continue to be a risk. However at the global level, in Advanta's case, this risk is mitigated with the distribution of the business areas across the world. Also, the global business of the company is equally contributed by the top three crops, thereby mitigating the risks associated with fluctuations in the areas of any one particular crop due to weather conditions. 

 

WEBSITE DETAILS:

Company profile:

Subject is owned by United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) a large Indian agrochemical company with a group turnover of Rs. 20000.000 millions.


Originally established as  ITC Zeneca Limited with the prime objective of conducting research, development, production and marketing of superior high yielding hybrid seeds of crops of national importance. The company has progressed with its vision of 'Growing for a Better Future' and its objective of 'Plant breeding in India for the Indian farmer' while networking with 'Zeneca' technology world wide.


Due to restructuring of promoters/shareholder businesses ITC Zeneca has changed its name to company from October 1st, 1998 but continues to maintain the objective of 'Latest Technology Promising Prosperity’. Now as a part of the UPL group, Advanta India is involved in delivering complete crop solution to the Farmers of India.


The prosperity of India's agriculture based economy is dependent on use of progressive techniques by the Indian farmers. The use of hybrid seeds, which is the most cost effective way of improving productivity, is one such critical area.


Purpose

This neutral portal would be providing information on Agricultural Technology, Superior Products, Latest Development in Agricultural Inputs and other news and information that are of interest to farmers.

 

AdvantageIndia.com also provides another unique opportunity by enabling dealers to transact online, what is commonly known as e-commerce. To start with, one can do business in the products of subject but soon other quality products of leading companies engaged in agriculture would also be available. The purchasers can access information on the portal, both before and after the business transaction, to help them make informed business decisions.

 

Agritech

·         AdvantageIndia.com - another pioneering move by Advanta India Limited to use in the latest technology

·         Sunflower - an important contributor to India's rapid growth in oilseed production

·         Farmers are finding Baby corn an attractive crop to cultivate

·         An alternative crop option: Hyola PAC-401

                     

Rice:-

·         Hybrid rice - the makings of the second green revolution

·         Tips for crop management of rice crop

·         Rice Diseases - Pests - Deficiencies and their control

 

 


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.40.29

UK Pound

1

Rs.79.98

Euro

1

Rs.61.20

 

 

SCORE & RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

SCORE FACTORS

 

RANGE

POINTS

HISTORY

1~10

8

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

8

--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

NO

--OTHER MERIT FACTORS

YES/NO

YES

TOTAL

 

72

 

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