MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

 

Report Date :

15.05.2008

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

QUEST INTERNATIONAL INDIA LIMITED

 

 

Registered Office :

Maker Chamber IV, 10th Floor, 222, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021, Maharashtra

 

 

Country :

India

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.03.2005

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

26.05. 1994

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

11-78608

 

 

CIN No.:

[Company Identification No.]

U24246MM1994PTC078608

U99999MH1948PTC009641

 

 

TAN No.:

[Tax Deduction & Collection Account No.]

MUMQ00524G

 

 

PAN No.:

[Permanent Account No.]

AAACL1013D

 

 

Legal Form :

Subject is a closely held public limited liability company.

 

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturers and Exporters of perfumery, cosmetics and toilet preparations.

 

 

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 5015124

 

 

Status :

Good

 

 

Payment Behaviour :

Regular

 

 

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

Comments :

Subject is a perfumery and fragrance subsidiary of Hindustan Lever Limited, a large manufacturing and trading house and a part of Unilever Group.

 

Available information indicates high financial responsibility of the company. Trade relations are fair. Payments are correct and as per commitments.

 

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

 

 

INFORMATION PARTED BY

 

Name :

Ms. Kripali Javale

Designation :

Accounts Manager

Contact No.:

91-22-66625700

 

 

LOCATIONS

 

Registered Office :

Maker Chamber IV, 10th Floor, 222, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021, Maharashtra, India

Tel. No.:

91-22-56625700

Fax No.:

91-22-56625751s

E-Mail :

v-hll-balaraman@unilever.com

anand.kumar@questintl.com

ts.sankaranarayanan@questintl.com

kripali_javale@givaudan.com

Website :

http://www.hll.com

 

 

Head Office :

Hindustan Lever House, 165/166, Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai-400020, Maharashtra, India

 

 

Factory :

401, Akruti Central Point, Marol Centre, MIDC Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400093, Maharashtra, India.

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

Name :

Mr. Jean Pierre G Houri

Designation :

Chairman

Address :

47, Carlton Leas, Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom

Date of Birth/Age :

11.08.1944

Date of Appointment :

25.11.2004

Name :

Mr. R. L. Jain

Designation :

Managing Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. Aditya Narayan

Designation :

Alternative Director to Mr. Jean

Address :

18, Shakuntala Farms, Sultanpur, New Delhi – 110 030.

Date of Birth/Age :

08.01.1952

Date of Appointment :

25.11.2004

 

 

Name :

Mr. P. K. Agrawal

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. Ramadurai Manachanallur Rajaram

Designation :

Director

Address :

A- 4, Geetanjali Enclave, New Delhi – 110 017.

Date of Birth/Age :

15.03.1946

Date of Appointment :

30.09.2004

 

 

Name :

Mr. Nair Damodaran Sundarm

Designation :

Director

Address :

29 A, Sterling Appartment, Peddar Road, Mumbai – 400 026, Maharashtra, India

Date of Birth/Age :

16.04.1953

Date of Appointment :

30.09.2004

 

 

Name :

Mr. Mathur Krishna Anoop

Designation :

Director

Address :

62, Gulita, Worli Sea Face, Mumbai – 400 018, Maharashtra, India

Date of Birth/Age :

22.10.1947

Date of Appointment :

31.08.2005

 

 

Name :

Mr. Jayant M. Sohonie

Designation :

Whole Time Director and Chief Executive

Address :

B.Sc., MMS

Date of Birth/Age :

24 Years

Experience :

31 Years

Date of Appointment :

29.06.2001

 

 

Name :

Mr. R. Gopalkrishnan

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. S. Hamlett

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. M. V. Subbiah

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. S. Krishna

Designation :

Director – Nominee (Government)

 

 

Name :

Mr. R. S. Karnad

Designation :

Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. D. Sundaram

Designation :

Finance Director

 

 

Name :

Mr. Hunter TKC John

Designation :

Director

Address :

1400 C A Bassum, The Netherlands, 28, Huizerstraatweg, 1411 GP Naarden, The Netherlands.

Date of Birth/Age :

08.01.1952

Date of Appointment :

25.11.2004

 

 

Name :

Mr. Kothari Amar Monila

Designation :

Managing Director

Address :

A – 211, Naperol Towers, R.A. Kidwai Road, Wadala, Mumbai – 400 031, Maharashtra, India.

Qualification:

B. Pharm, MMS

Date of Birth/Age :

02.02.1964

Date of Experience:

17 Years

Date of Appointment :

01.10.2004

 

 

Name :

Mr. Pandya Mahendra Jignesh

Designation :

Secretary

Address :

205, Shashi Apartments, Devidas Road, Borivali (West), Mumbai – 400 103, Maharashtra, India.

Date of Birth/Age :

08.09.1965

Date of Appointment :

01.04.2004

 

 

KEY EXECUTIVES

 

Name :

Mr. R. Guha

Designation :

Company Secretary

 

 

Name :

Mr. M. K. Sharma

Designation :

Vice Chairman

 

 

Name :

Mr. Raju Thomas

Designation :

Vice President - Finance

 

 

Name :

Mr. Ashok Gupta

Designation :

Company Secretary

 

 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS / SHAREHOLDING PATTERN

 

Names of Shareholders

No. of Shares

Hindustan Lever Limited

1411195

Indexport Limited

1

Lever India Exports Limited

1

Lipton India Exports Limited

1

Bon Limited

1

Meryweather Food Products Limited

1

ICI India Limited

1440001

Quest International B.V., The Netherlands

28799

Total

2880000

 

 

BUSINESS DETAILS

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturers and Exporters of perfumery, cosmetics and toilet preparations.

 

 

Products :

Product Dsescription

ITC Code No.

Mixture of Odoriferous

Substances

3302.10.10

 

 

 

 

v      Aromatic Chemicals

v      Natural Essential Oils

v      Others

 

PRODUCTION STATUS

 

Particulars

Unit

Installed Capacity

Actual Production

Flavours and Fragrances

 

Tonnes

7110

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

No. of Employees :

About 100

 

 

Bankers :

v      State Bank of India, Madame Cama Road, Mumbai-400021, Maharashtra, India

v      Standard Chartered Grindlays Bank Limited, ORDSA 90 M. G. Road, Mumbai-400001, Maharashtra, India

v      Citibank N.A., Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

v      Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

v      Bank of America, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

v      Deutsche Bank, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

v      ABN AMRO Bank, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

v      Punjab National Bank, PNB House, Sir P.M. Road, Fort, Mumbai-400001, Maharashtra, India

v      Corporation Bank, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

v      Indian Bank, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

v      ICICI Bank Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

v      HDFC Bank Limited

 

 

 

 

Banking Relations :

Good

 

 

Auditors :

 

Name :

BSR & Company

Chartered Accountants

Mumbai – 400 013, Maharashtra, India

Tel No:

91-22-24913030

 

 

Associates:

v      Hindustan Lever Limited

 

v      ICI India Limited

 

v      Lipton India Exports Limited

(Exports of Tea, Coffee, etc.)

 

v      Ind Export Limited

(Personal Products and Exports)

 

v      Bon Limited

(Tea Trading)

 

v      Lever India Exports Limited

(Exports of Personal Products

 

v      Nepal Lever Limited

(Soaps Detergents, Scourers and Personal Products)

 

v      International Fisheries Limited

(Animal Feeding Stuffs)

 

v      Thiashola Tea Company Limited

(Tea Trading)

 

v      Daverashola Tea Company Limited

(Tea Trading)

 

v      The Doolia Tea Company Limited

(Tea Trading)

 

v      Merryweather Food Products Limited

(Processed Foods)

 

v      Lakme Lever Limited

(Personal Products)

 

v      KICM (Madras) Limited

(Formerly Kwality Ice-Creams (Madras) Limited)

(Ice-creams)

 

v      Pond’s Export Limited

(Personal Products and Exports)

 

v      Goldmohur Foods & Feeds Limited

(Formerly Yankee Doodle Industries Limited)

(Ice-creams)

 

v      Levers Associated Trust Limited

(Trustees for retirement and welfare funds/schemes))

 

v      Levindra Trust Limited

(Trustees of Union Provident Fund)

 

v      Hindlever Trust Limited

(Trustees for retirement and welfare funds/schemes)

 

v      Modern Food Industries India Limited

(Bread, Buns & Cakes)

 

v      Grand Food & Catering Consultants Limited

v      Brooke Bond Assam Estates Limited

v      Brokke Bond Group Limited

v      Brooke Bond South India Estates Limited

v      Lever Faberge UK

v      Lipton Limited

v      Lipton Limited / Lipton Tea Supply Limited

v      Unilever U. K. Central Resources Limited

v      Unilever Overses Holdings Limited

v      Van Den Bergh Foods

v      Unilever Australia Export Pty. Limited

v      Unilever Australia Limited

v      Lever Rexona

v      Lever Brothers Bangladesh Limited

v      Unilever Canada

v      Unilever Cote d'lvoire

v      Unilever Ghana Limited

v      Unilever Kenya Limited

v      Unilever (Malaysia) Holdings Sdn. Berhad

v      UL New Zealand Limited

v      Lever Rexona Division

v      Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited

v      Unilever Singapore Pte. Limited

v      Lever Pond's

v      Unilever South Africa (Pty.) Limited

v      Unileever Ceylon Limited

v      Unilever Overseas Holdings AG

v      Lever Brothers West Indies Limited

v      Unilever Uganda Limited

v      Unilever Uganda Limited

v      Unilever Research Laboratory, Port Sunlight

v      Unilever Research Laboratory, Colworth House

v      BB Kenya Group

v      Unilever N. V.

v      Unilever Overseas Holdings B. V.

v      Unilever Brasil Limited

v      Lever Chile S. A.

v      Unilex Cameroon S. A.

v      Unilever France S. A.

v      Unilever International Paris

v      Unilever Deutschland GmbH

v      Lever Faberge Deutschland GmbH

v      Unilever Hong Kong Limited

v      BBL Japan K. K.

v      Nippon Lever K. K

v      Safial B. V.

v      Unilever Philippines (Prc), Inc.

v      Unilever Thai Holdings Limited

v      Unilever Sanayi ve Ticaret Turk A. S.

v      Unilever Home and Personal Care USA

v      Lever Maroc S. A.

v      Fine Tea Company

v      Lever Egypt SAE

v      Unilever (Shanghai) Company Limited

v      Lipton Division

v      Lever Arabia Limited

v      Towells Lever LLC

v      Lever Brothers Nigeria Limited

v      Severn Gulf FZE

v      Lipton Soft Drinks (Ireland)

v      Lever Israel

v      Elida P/S

v      Thani Mursid Lever LLC

v      Unilever CR

v      Unilever Polska - Corporate

v      Lever International Marine Supplies (LIMS) BV

v      Unilever Gulf Free Zone Establishment

v      Unilever (China) Limited

v      Lever Fattal

v      Unilever South Central Europe

v      Unilver Baltic LLC

v      Unilever Levamt

v      Unilever Tuketim Urunleri Sat Pazarlama Ticaret A. S.

v      Unilever SINGAPORE

v      Unilever Ukraine

v      Unilever Ukraine

v      Unilever Tuketim Mersin Serbest Bolge Subesi

v      Unilver Dominicana S. A.

v      Elida Faberge Limited

v      Towells Lever LLC, Arabia

v      Thani Murshid Sons and African and Eastern LLC, Arabia

v      Binzagar Lever Limited

v      Hind Lever Chemicals Limited

v      Unilever Industries Private Limited

v      Digital Securities Private Limited

v      Quest International UK Limited

v      Quest International Australia Private Limited

v      Quest International Do Brazil Industria E Commerce LTDA

v      Quest International Canada Inc

v      Quest International Egypt SAE

v      Quest International, USA

v      Kimberly – Clark Lever Private Limited

v      Vashisti Detergents Limited

v      Quest International, Indonesia

v      Quest International Nederland BVs

Holding Company :

v      ICI India Limited

 

 

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

Authorised Capital :

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

3000000

Equity Shares

Rs. 100/- Each

Rs. 300.000 millions

 

Issued, Subscribed & Paid-up Capital :

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

2880000

Equity Shares

Rs.100/- Each

Rs. 288.000 millions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL DATA

[all figures are in Rupees Millions]

 

 

ABRIDGED BALANCE SHEET

 

SOURCES OF FUNDS

 

31.03.2005

31.03.2004

31.03.2003

SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Share Capital

288.000

288.000

2201.244

2] Share Application Money

0.000

0.000

0.000

3] Reserves & Surplus

965.781

837.446

19558.931

4] (Accumulated Losses)

0.000

0.000

0.000

NETWORTH

1253.781

1125.446

21760.175

LOAN FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Secured Loans

0.000

0.000

16108.065

2] Unsecured Loans

0.000

0.000

1043.744

TOTAL BORROWING

0.000

0.000

17151.809

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

55.999

60.911

1155.693

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

1309.780

1186.357

40199.893

 

 

 

 

APPLICATION OF FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED ASSETS [Net Block]

567.408

650.150

15579.446

Capital work-in-progress

0.071

0.000

756.038

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT

505.000

313.377

24783.971

DEFERREX TAX ASSETS

0.000

0.000

3819.564

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS & ADVANCES

 

 

 

 

Inventories

156.723

148.606

14898.304

 

Sundry Debtors

171.103

167.173

5270.409

 

Cash & Bank Balances

2.707

26.569

8923.967

 

Other Current Assets

0.000

0.000

723.709

 

Loans & Advances

146.318

88.744

6291.541

Total Current Assets

476.851

431.092

36107.93

Less : CURRENT LIABILITIES & PROVISIONS

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

236.089

182.969

27214.655

 

Provisions

3.461

25.293

13632.401

Total Current Liabilities

239.550

208.262

40847.056

Net Current Assets

237.301

222.830

(4739.126)

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

1309.780

1186.357

40199.893

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT

 

PARTICULARS

 

31.03.2005

31.03.2004

31.03.2003

Sales Turnover [including other income]

1098.416

873.204

112687.725

Total Income

1098.416

873.204

112687.725

 

 

 

 

Profit/(Loss) Before Tax

133.823

105.467

21588.348

Provision for Taxation

5.488

33.614

4584.855

Profit/(Loss) After Tax

128.335

71.853

17003.493

 

 

 

 

Earnings in Foreign Currency :

 

 

 

 

Other Earnings

456.883

220.551

12.120

Total Earnings

456.883

220.551

12.120

 

 

 

 

Imports :

 

 

 

 

Others

193.546

142.286

72.285

Total Imports

193.546

142.286

72.285

 

 

 

 

Expenditures :

 

 

 

 

Other Expenditure

949.769

767.737

91099.377

Total Expenditure

949.769

767.737

91099.377

 

KEY RATIOS

 

PARTICULARS

 

 

31.03.2005

31.03.2004

31.03.2003

PAT / Total Income

(%)

11.68

8.23

15.09

 

 

 

 

 

Net Profit Margin

(PBT/Sales)

(%)

12.18

12.08

19.16

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Total Assets

(PBT/Total Assets}

(%)

8.64

7.56

26.64

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Investment (ROI)

(PBT/Networth)

 

0.11

0.09

0.99

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Equity Ratio

(Total Liability/Networth)

 

0.19

0.19

2.67

 

 

 

 

 

Current Ratio

(Current Asset/Current Liability)

 

1.99

2.07

0.88

 

 

LOCAL AGENCY FURTHER INFORMATION

 

BUSINESS PERFORMANCE: 

 

The business performance of the year has shown good improvement over the previous year. This is particularly commendable given the continued sluggishness in their target customers viz. the organized FMCG businesses. The growth in sales has been driven by exports, which has performed strongly in its first full year of operations. The domestic flavours business also grew strongly, driven by some significant successes with key customers. The domestic fragrances business on the other hannd, was impacted adversely by the sluggishness in offtakes from key FMCG customer and the impact of aggressive competitive pressures in securing new business.

DIVIDEND:

 

The Directors have decided not to recommended any dividend for the year.

 

DIRECTORS:

 

During the year under review, Mr. Jean Pierre Houri resigned from the Board and Mr. John Hunter was appointed in his place. Mr. Jayant Sohonie also resigned from the Board as CEO and whole Time Director. The Board places on its gratitude for the contribution and advice received from both the directors. Ms Monila Kothari was appointed as CEO and Whole Time  Director of the company.

 

In accordance with the Articles of Association of the company, the following directors retire at the ensuing Annual General Meeting, and being eligible, offer themselves for re – election:

 

Mr. John Hunter

Mr. D Sundaram

Mr. M R rajaram

Mr. Anoop K Mathur

Ms. Monila Kothari

 

Necessary resolution in respect of the above are being put up for the shareholder’s approval in the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

 

Audit Committee:

 

During the year under review, consequent to Mr. Jean Pierre Houri’s resignation from the Board, Mr. John Hunter was appointed as a member of the committee. The members of the committee are:

 

Mr. John Hunter

Mr. D Sundaram

Mr. M R rajaram

 

Profile

 

Subject is a leading fragrance and flavours company, with particular strengths in flavour and fragrance creation, customer understanding, texture solutions and applied bioscience.

 

Subject operates through two divisions : the Flavours Division and the Fragrance Division. The Flavours Division is based in Naarden, the Netherlands, where the Business’s corporate headquarters are also located.

 

The Fragrance Division is headquartered in Ashford, UK and there are also creative centers for fine fragrances in Paris and New York.

           

Major facilities are located in the Netherlands, the UK, USA, Mexico, France, Australia, Ireland and Indonesia with smaller manufacturing facilities in 11 other countries. The business has its own sales distribution network in 38 countries and is represented elsewhere by sales agent.

 

Business Summary

 

ICI (India) Limited, a subsidiary of Imperial Chemical Industries, U.K., which holds a 50.83% stake in the company, came into existence in 1953 as Indian Explosives. It was renamed as IEL in 1984-85 and ICIL in 1989-90.

 

The company deals in explosives, paints, surfactants, catalysts, rubber chemicals, pharmaceuticals and polyurethane’s, with factories in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Gomia (Bihar) and Thane, Maharashtra.

 

The company, as a part of its restructuring programme, has hived off its seeds, fibre and fertilizer business. ICIL has taken a majority shareholding in a new partnership with Ensign-Bickford, USA, to manufacture initiating explosives. Some units of ICI have obtained the ISO 9002 Certification.

 

In the year 1999, the Explosives business of the company was transferred to Indian Explosives Limited (IEL), a joint venture between the company and Orica Investments Pty Limited, Australia. Further the company has transferred its 51% holding in IEL to Orica Investments Pty Limited, Australia for a consideration of Rs. 664.400 millions. During the year 1999-2000, the company’s Pharmaceuticals Plant at Ennore Site received ISO 14001 Certification, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable environmental management.

 

The Motors and Industrial Paints business was transferred to a Joint Venture with Berger Paints India Limited in 2001. The company’s Polyurethane’s business was sold to a wholly owned subsidiary of Huntsman Corporation of USA. The company has also completed acquisition of majority stake in Quest JV and has formed the company a joint venture between ICI India Limited, Quest International BV and Hindustan Lever Limited. The company has acquired the Catalyst Business (Edible Oils and oleo chemicals applications) form Hindustan Lever Limited for a consideration of Rs. 210.000 millions. It has also signed for purchase of Adhesives Business, a sub-unit of Specialty Chemicals Division of Hindustan Lever Limited for a consideration of Rs. 90.000 millions. The company is selling off its Pharmaceutical Business to Nicholas Piramal India Limited for a consideration of Rs. 700.000 millions including working capital.

 

Efforts in brief made towards technology absorption, adaptation, and innovation:

 

The company aims to focus on identifying new opportunities for delivering value added fragrances and flavours to the customers, leveraging on the technology available at its disposals The company has a wealth of experience in adapting international technology to suit local needs in terms of customer needs and customer preferences. The creative and the manufacturing teams work to bring out innovative products with the objective of reducing dependence on imports, cost reduction, new market development, and improving delivery systems.

 

TRADE TERMS WITH:

 

v      Gayatri Industries

v      Daman Ganga Paper Convertors Private Limited

v      Gajanan Plastics

v      Reliance Industrial products

v      Zenith Plastic

 

FIXED ASSETS:

 

v      Goodwill

v      Trade Mark

v      Leasehold Rights

v      Technology

v      Building

v      Leasehold Improvements

v      Plant & Machinery

v      Motor Vehicle

v      Furniture

v      Fitting & Equipment

v      EDP Equipment etc.

 

PRESS CLIPPING

 

ICI NOT AVERSE TO BUYING OUT HLL IN QUEST (INDIA)

 

ICI India Limited (ICI) has indicated that it is not averse to buying out Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) stake entirely in the newly-formed joint venture company. Quest International Limited, which is essentially in the fragrances, flavours and food ingredients business.

 

The paints-major, ICI, holds 51% equity in the new joint venture, while the FMCG company, Hindustan Lever Limited, holds 49%. The balance 1% is held by Quest International BV.

 

Mr Daljit Singh, Director, ICI, confirmed to Business Line, that the company would be interested in buying out Hindustan Lever Limited equity to wholly own the latter's flavours and fragrances business, as it was a core area for ICI worldwide.

 

The joint venture agreement already had a clause that provides for a `call option' as well as a `put option' which would enable either of the parties (i.e ICI India or Hindustan Lever Limited) to buy out the other after a period of five years.

Mr Singh said that ICI India was certainly keen to bring the company’s business completely under its fold in alignment with the portfolio of its parent company. `Ultimately its portfolio of businesses have to mirror that of the parent company'', the company pointed out.

 

Quest International BV is a 100% subsidiary of the ICI Group. Only recently ICI India had announced that it had completed the acquisition of a majority stake in the company and the consideration involved for the acquisition was Rs 1520.000 millions.

 

Hindustan Lever Limited’s decision to forsake controlling interest in its fragrances business was on expected lines, following Unilever's global divestment of its speciality chemicals business in 1997.

 

However, a spokesperson of Hindustan Lever Limited clarified that the company’s joint venture does not include Hindustan Lever Limited aromachemical business and the erstwhile Industrial Perfumes Limited, which would continue to be a division of Hindustan Lever Limited.

 

According to the sources, the paid-up equity capital of the company is about Rs 290.000 millions. A five-member board has been constituted to manage the operations of the company. Mr Jayant Sohonie has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

 

ICI has also completed acquisition of majority stake in Quest JV and has formed subject, a joint venture between ICI India, Quest International BV and Hindustan Lever Limited. The company has acquired the Catalyst Business from HLL for a consideration of 210.000 millions. It has also signed for purchase of Adhesives Business, a sub-unit of Speciality Chemicals Division of HLL for a consideration of Rs. 90.000 millions. 

 

 

HLL ANNOUNCES JOINT VENTURE WITH ICI INDIA AND QUEST INTERNATIONAL FOR FRAGRANCES AND FLAVOURS


MUMBAI, March 28, 2001:
Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL), ICI India and Quest International BV today announced their intent to form a joint venture to carry on the fragrances and flavour business of the Quest Division of HLL. The turnover of this business in 2000 was Rs. 950 millions including captive consumption.


Under the proposed joint venture arrangement, ICI India and Quest International BV will together hold 51% and the balance 49% will be held by HLL. The joint venture combines ICI India’s long standing knowledge of India, HLL’s detailed understanding of Indian consumers’ preferences coupled with Quest International’s consumer understanding, technological and creative expertise. The JV is expected to become operational in the middle of the year, and will buy and own HLL’s current operations, covering its activities and associated facilities for this business. The value for the 51% shareholding in the JV is placed approximately at Rs. 1550 millions which includes a premium for management control.


The joint venture would however, exclude the aroma chemicals business of HLL and the erstwhile Industrial Perfumes Limited which would be carried on as a division of HLL.


HLL is extremely pleased with the formation of the joint venture since it was HLL’s clear intent to tie up with a technology partner to secure longer term future viability of this business, post global divestment of Unilever’s specialty chemicals businesses in 1997. The proposed tie-up with ICI India and Quest International BV will provide cultural and operational fit for the Quest division of HLL which until 1997 operated as the Indian arm of Quest International’s business.


The proposed transaction, in as much as it relates to transfer of the flavours and fragrances and food ingredients business to the proposed joint venture, is subject to the shareholders’ approval which is proposed to be secured at the ensuing Annual General Meeting on June 1, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 :

The 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.

 

The 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. 42.33

UK Pound

1

Rs. 82.31

Euro

1

Rs. 65.46

 

 

SCORE & RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

SCORE FACTORS

 

RANGE

POINTS

HISTORY

1~10

6

PAID-UP CAPITAL

1~10

6

OPERATING SCALE

1~10

6

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

 

--BUSINESS SCALE

1~10

6

--PROFITABILIRY

1~10

6

--LIQUIDITY

1~10

8

--LEVERAGE

1~10

8

--RESERVES

1~10

6

--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

 

60

 

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, they 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