MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

14.06.2012

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

E.F. DESIGNS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

 

Registered Office :

2 Haetzel Street New Industrial Zone Rishon Le-Zion  7570604      

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

28.08.2003.

 

 

Legal Form :

Limited Partnership

 

 

Line of Business :

Importers and marketers of furniture, household products, lighting elements, home textile goods, etc.

 

 

No. of Employees :

423

 

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

Ba

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

41-55

Ba

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

Satisfactory

 

Status :

Satisfactory

Payment Behaviour :

No Complaints

Litigation :

Clear

 


NOTES :

Any query related to this report can be made on e-mail: infodept@mirainform.com while quoting report number, name and date.

 

ECGC Country Risk Classification List – March 31st, 2012

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.12.2011)

Current Rating

(31.03.2012)

Israel

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 


Company name and address

 

E.F. DESIGNS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

(Also known under trade name BETILI; or in short as EFD)

Telephone    972 3 953 64 00

Fax             972 3 961 17 89

2 Haetzel Street

New Industrial Zone

RISHON LE-ZION   7570604  ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A limited partnership, registered as per file No. 55-021484-5 on 28.08.2003.

Subject was incorporated in order to merge all retail activities of the BEITILI and I.D. DESIGN retail marketing chains, which were transferred to subject on 01.09.2003.

 

 

PARTNERS

 

1.  IKOO DESIGNS LTD., 49.5%, limited partner, a fully owned subsidiary of CARMEL HOLDINGS (I.L) LTD., a public limited company whose shares are traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, controlled (73.6%) by the Eitani family and by NORSTAR HOLDINGS INC. (14.8%), controlled by Haim Katzman,

2.  F.C.P. DESIGN LTD. (trading as I.D.DESIGN), 49.5%, limited partner, owned by Eliezer Fishman & family,

3.  E.F. HOME DESIGNS LTD., 1%, equally controlled by the 2 above mentioned partners, being the general partner.

 

 

GENERAL MANAGER

 

Aviv Eitani.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Importers and marketers of furniture, household products, lighting elements, home textile goods, etc., operating retail chains of 26 retail stores, under the brand names "Betili" (19 stores), "IDdesign" (3 stores), "Rich and Taylor" (4 stores). In addition, also operate "My Home Page" (8 stores and via the Internet, focusing on young audience), and run a store under the name “Hazorea Furniture Center”. Marketing is also via other channels, including to hotels, contractors, workers' unions, etc.

 

Some 60% of purchase is import. Among foreign suppliers: REDA, WOODFAP, IMPERIORS, R.R. INDUSTRIES, all from India.

 

Among local suppliers: IKOO DESIGNS (affiliate), SHIR FURNITURE, etc.

 

Operating from rented offices in CARMEL HOLDINGS headquarters premises (total area spans over 1,200 sq. meters which partly serve subject), in 2 Haetzel Street, New Industrial Zone, Rishon Le-Zion, and from 27 retail stores nationwide.

 

Having 423 employees in the Furniture Sector of CARMEL HOLDINGS (mostly in subject).

 

 

MEANS

 

Financial data is included (relatively) in the consolidated B/S of parent company, CARMEL HOLDINGS (I.L) LTD. LTD., which shows:

 

                                                                                    NIS (thousands)

                                                                         31.12.2011                  31.03.2012

ASSETS

Current assets

     Cash and cash equivalents                                      7,527                       6,560

     Customers                                                            52,764                     50,925

     Other debtors                                                        10,832                     12,487

     Other current assets                                                  581                          825

     Stock                                                                   66,296                     66,176

                                                                              138,000                   136,973

 

Non-current assets

     Fixed assets (net)                                                 37,152                     36,237

     Other non-current assets                                       13,595                     13,859

                                                                                50,747                     50,096

                                                                              188,747                   187,069

                                                                            =======                 =======

 

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities                                                      103,010                     99,444

Non-current liabilities                                                  34,191                     34,257

Equity                                                                       51,546                     53,368

                                                                              188,747                   187,069

                                                                            =======                 =======

 

 

CARMEL HOLDINGS current market value US$ 7.3 million.

 

Assets attributed to the furniture segment in CARMEL HOLDINGS financial statements (mainly attributed to subject) as of 31.12.201: NIS 85,856,000.

 

In its 2009 annual statements, CARMEL HOLDINGS notified that in 2009 subject ended with a deficit in its equity of NIS 0 (zero), after deduction partner’s loans, that is according to its obligation to its bankers.

 

REVENUES

 

According to CARMEL HOLDINGS financial statements, the Furniture segment sales (in essence represents subject’s sales, proportionally to CARMEL’s 50% in subject):

2009 in were NIS 101,586,000 (6.5% lower than 2008), making an operating loss of NIS 24,000,ending with a net loss of NIS 1,225,000.

2010 sales were NIS 105,632,000, making an operating profit of NIS 950,000, ending with a net loss of NIS 757,000.

2011 sales were NIS 116,878,000, making an operating profit of NIS 2,500,000, and a profit of NIS 1,345,000.

Sales for the first 3 months of 2012 were NIS 28,268,000, making an operating profit of NIS 1,088,000.

 

                                                                         CARMEL HOLDINGS (I.L) LTD. LTD.

                                                                            Consolidated Statement of Income

                                                                                             NIS (thousands)

                                                                                      Year ended on the 31.12

                                                                               2009                 2010                   2011

Revenues                                                                  205,133            223,701            243,602

 

Gross profit                                                                 87,034              94,388            106,862

 

Operating income*                                                       31,729              12,203              11,228

 

Income before income taxes                                         29,341               7,912                8,294

 

Profit from continuing operation                                     28,426               5,541                7,942

Profit from ceased operation                                           7,370                      -                       -

Net profit                                                                    35,796               5,541                7,942

                                                                             =======         =======          =======

 

* 2009 operating profit includes “other income” of NIS 25,594,000, deriving from a capital gain following the agreement signed with its bonds holders.

 

CARMEL HOLDINGS (I.L) LTD. LTD. consolidated first 3 months of 2012 sales were NIS 61,270,000 (similar to the parallel period in 2011), making a gross profit of NIS 25,822,000, an operating income of NIS 2,135,000 and a net income of NIS 1,822,000.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

CARMEL HOLDINGS (I.L) LTD., parent company, via subsidiaries dealing as manufacturers, importers, marketers and retailers of (1) floor covering, carpets and parquet floors; (2) furniture, household goods, etc. Also controls:

CAESAREA CARPETS (97) LTD. (known as CARMEL CARPETS), 100%, manufacturers, importers, marketers and exporters of woven and wall-to-wall carpets, concentrates Group's institutional sales activities in the floor covering field to retail chains, owns SHAKED CARPETS LTD., 50%, floor covering importers and marketers, mainly parquets,

IKOO DESIGNS LTD., 100%, subject's parent company, furniture manufacturing,

ZIEGLER INVESTMENTS LTD. (formerly BETILI INVESTMENTS (1997) LTD.), 100%, investments and real estate,

CARMEL FLOOR DESIGN LTD., 100%, concentrates CARMEL Group's retail sales to chains.

 

Eitani family also owns, among other companies:

HAIM EITANI HOLDINGS LTD.

CLASSIGAN LTD., 33%, garden furniture manufacturers and marketers.

NATZRANIT HOLDINGS LTD., fully owned by Aviv Eitani, owns EAGLE FORKLIFTS AND LOGISTICS LTD., 100%, importers and marketers of forklifts. Also have holdings in real estate ventures.

 

NORSTAR HOLDINGS INC. (formerly GAZIT INC.), a public foreign company, whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, part of the GAZIT GLOBE Group, operates in the real estate investment fields. Current market value US$ 465.1 million.

 

F.C.P. DESIGN LTD., parent holding company, part of FISHMAN Group.

FISHMAN CHAINS LTD., a roof company for the FISHMAN Group’s retail businesses, operating retail chain stores, managed by Eyal Fishman:

HOME CENTER (DIY) LTD., local largest DIY and household goods, indoor and outdoor furniture, electrical and building materials and appliances, etc (over 40 branches nationwide). Annual consolidated sales were around NIS 1 billion.

HYPERTOY LTD. ("TOYS'R'US ISRAEL"), 100%, local largest toys and games chain (under the names "Toys’R’Us" and "The Red Pirate"), importers and marketers of toys, with annual sales are circa NIS 220 million.

 

BEST BUY MARKETING NETWORKS LTD. ("Best Buy" and "Big Box" stores), a large domestic electrical appliances and electronic goods chain, with estimated annual sales of NIS 210 million.

Also: ZER.FOR.U (2000) LTD. (ZER4U), 96%, flowers chain; AVIV SHIGUR LTD., delivery and courier service countrywide; CELIO CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR LTD., men’s fashion wear chain; FISHMAN CELLULAR, importers and distributors of cellular phones; TEN - PETROLEUM CO. LTD., operates 35 petrol stations; ACCESSIRIZE franchise for fashion accessories; and more.

 

Eliezer Fishman & family own, control and manage companies in major important sectors in Israel (finance, industry, hi-tech, media), real estate assets as well as numerous foreign companies. Main public companies controlled by the FISHMAN Group are JERUSALEM ECONOMY LTD. (JEC), Group’s main real estate holdings company, one of the largest in Israel, its subsidiary INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS CORPORATION LTD., as well as DARBAN INVESTMENTS LTD. and MIRLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PLC.

 

 

BANKS

 

Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd., Tel Aviv Central Branch (No. 800), Tel Aviv,
account No. 785500/68.

A check with the Central Bank's database did not reveal anything detrimental on subject’s a/m account.

 

Mercantile Discount Bank Ltd., Tel Aviv Main Branch (No. 654), Tel Aviv.

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned on subject.

 

Despite our efforts, we were unable to speak with subject's officials, as they were always unavailable. We left messages which so far remain unanswered.

 

Subject's chain stores, especially the “Betili” brand, are well-known locally, among the leading in their fields.

Subject estimates its market share of the home furniture sector at circa 7%. The whole market comprises of 15 large chain stores and hundreds of retail stores.

 

Subject was established in view of joining forces of two local leading players in the furniture arena, Eitani family/ CARMEL HOLDINGS Betili retail chain on one hand, and Fishman Group's IDdesign Chain. In mid 2003, both sides signed an agreement to merge the retail activities -administrative and logistic, establishing subject's partnership, though both chains keep their commercial logos.

 

FISHMAN GROUP is controlled by Eliezer Fishman, a leading local businessman and entrepreneur, one of the most influential figures in the local business and commercial community.

 

NORSTAR HOLDINGS INC., which invested in parent CARMEL HOLDINGS, is a public foreign company, whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, part of the leading GAZIT GLOBE Group, operates in the real estate investment fields.

GAZIT GLOBE is a well-known leading real estate investment company traded in the Tel Aviv stock exchange as part of the Tel Aviv 25 Index (symbol: GLOB).

 

In 2006 CARMEL HOLDINGS entered into business activities in the Turkish market (acquired 50.1% of the veteran and large carpet plant). The venture, in which it invested US$ millions encountered heavy financial difficulties during 2007 (allegedly due to market conditions and an internal fraud), and reached bankruptcy. As a result CARMEL entered financial difficulties (causing a loss of NIS 50 million) and had to seek an agreement with its bonds holders. In its financial statements for the 2ndQ08 and 3rdQ08 “going concerns” note was attached.

In December 2008 CARMEL reached a settlement (approved by Court in March 2009) with its bonds holders regarding re-schedule payments and in discounted sums and converting some of the bonds into shares (as well as fueling capital by CARMEL controlling shareholders and bank loan), allowing CARMEL to continue normal operation. Following that, CARMEL’s financial standing stabilized and improved.

 

In July 2007 it was reported that subject is investing NIS 8 million in 3 stores on one complex in Ashdod of subject's 3 retail chain segments. Later subject opened a new Betili branch in Modi'in with investment of couple of NIS million and new Betili and IDdesign stores in Petach Tikva, NIS 4 million investment.

In February 2008, subject launched a new sub chain that specializes in leather furniture called "Leatherland" in Rishon Le-Zion. Subject was planning to open 4 stores within the next 2 years, with initial investment of NIS 10 million and even to target overseas markets.

 

In February 2009, BEITILI Group opened 3 new retail stores as part of a new furniture chain targeted at the young audience and “low budget”, called “My Home Page”. Initial investment was NIS 1 million.

In April 2012 subject closed its store in Gaash.

 

In May 2012 subject was negotiating to acquire the stock as well as rental of premises of KIKA ISRAEL (local KIKA representatives) which encountered difficulties and entered receivership, however the deal did not pull through.

 

Local furniture and allied accessories is valued at NIS 9 billion per annum (2012).

According to a survey in 2011, customers prefer mostly carpenters and small shops (65%), and large retail chains (35%, over 8% of which by DIY chain IKEA).

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) data, private consumption expenditure by local households in furniture in 2011 fell by 3.6% from 2010, after in 2010 it rose by 7.3% from 2009.

 

According to Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) data, import of Furniture and Domestic Electrical Equipment grew in 2011 by 16.1% from 2010, summing up to NIS 8,975 million. This is after 9.4% rise in 2010 from 2009 (when it withdrew by 2.7% from 2008 due to the slow-down in the local market).

However, it should be noted that based on CBS data in 2011 2nd half the local market has entered slow-down mainly due to macro economic reasons (connected with the global economic impact) and indications are that the market will continue facing slow-down in coming period.

 

Import of furniture (excluding plastic furniture) in 2010 totaled US$ 227 million, 17.4% increase from 2009, of which 25% was from China, 19% from Italy.

Export of furniture (excl. plastic furniture) summed up to US$ 18 million, 21.1% rise from 2009.

 

The local furniture branch is considered to be in relatively high risk branch.

According to a survey published in January 2012 by credit analysis firm for 2011, it turns that Wood & Furniture Manufacturing and Wholesale branch worst in the credit days outstanding in the various industrial branches (some 124 days credit days). The average credit days outstanding in practice (meaning credit days agreed plus unplanned delay) for Israeli suppliers in the first half of 2011 reached 96 days, making it well higher than average credit days outstanding in the developed world (around 50 days).

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Good for trade engagements.

 

Note: Since the beginning of 2012 Israel Post started using a new area code method of 7 digits (the old method of 5 digits will still be valid till end of 2012).

 


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.55.85

UK Pound

1

Rs.86.88

Euro

1

Rs.69.88

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Report Prepared by :

PRL

 

 

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

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

--

NB

New Business

 

--

 

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%)

 

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

This report is issued at your request without any risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or its officials.