MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

04.05.2012

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

HOD - ASSAF METALS LTD.

 

 

Formerly Known As :

HOD METALS LTD

 

 

Registered Office :

P.O. Box 493 Kiryat Haplada, Industrial Zone  Akko 2410401       

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2011

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

01.03.1992

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Traders in steal for construction, and for other uses, as well as other commercial products.

 

 

No. of Employees :

664

 

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

 

Status :

Good

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

 

HOD - ASSAF METALS LTD.

Telephone    972 4 901 50 00

 Fax             972 4 955 22 30

P.O. Box 493

Kiryat Haplada, Industrial Zone

 AKKO         2410401       ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-166292-6 on the 01.03.1992.

Originally established under the name SPALAMINO LTD., which changed to HO METALS (TRADING 1992) LTD. on the 16.07.1992, which changed to HOD METALS LTD. on the 07.02.1993, which changed to the present name on the 11.10.2007.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital NIS 19,800.00, divided into -

                 19,800 ordinary shares of NIS 1.00 each,

of which 100 shares amounting to NIS 100.00 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Subject is fully owned by HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES LTD., a public limited company, shares of which are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, controlled (74.8%) by Abraham Shani (formerly Sheinbaum).

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

1.    Avraham Shani, Chairman of HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES,

2.    Joseph (Yosi Anglister), General Manager of subject and HOD–ASSAF INDUSTRIES Group.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Traders in steal for construction, and for other uses, as well as other commercial products. Subject serves as the Group's trading arm (including debt collecting).

Also operating as a holding company.

 

On the 29.12.2011 HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES's board approved a restructure in the HOD – ASSAF Group, in which all steel activities in Israel will be handled by subject, turning HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES into a holding company. The restructure is awaiting creditors, shareholders and court approvals. Subject's activities will include, besides trade (as above), also steel melting and processing plant, manufacturing steel bars from scrap metal.

 

Operating from Group's main premises (very long leased from the State), including melting, processing and scrap processing plants, on total plot of over 200,000 sq. meters (on which some 40,000 sq. meters built), in Kiryat Haplada, Industrial Zone, Akko (or "Acco", "Acre"in Latin). Group also operates from 2 plants (Rolling and Processing), on total area of 104,000 sq. meters (30,000 sq. meters built) in the Industrial Zone, Kiryat Gat.

 

Having no salaried employees, receiving serviced from parent company.

Having 1,011 employees serving the HOD ASSAF Group, of which 664 employees in Israel (had 880 employees in the end of 2010).

 

 

MEANS

 

Financial data is included in the consolidated financial statements of parent company, HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES LTD., which shows:

 

                                                                                             NIS (thousands)

                                                                                         31.12.2010            31.12.2011

ASSETS

Current assets:

     Cash                                                                                     7,846                12,539

     Customers                                                                         237,668              296,579

     Other debtors                                                                       35,374                33,447

     Other assets                                                                                 -                     178

     Stock                                                                                199,662              305,718

                                                                                              480,550              648,461

 

Non-current assets:

     Pre-paid operation leasing expenses (net)                               13,084                26,933

     Fixed assets (net)                                                               233,139              240,713

     Other non-current assets                                                        3,768                  7,944

                                                                                              249,991              275,590

                                                                                              730,541              924,051

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

 

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities                                                                      236,241              417,460

Non-current liabilities                                                                 32,745                29,470

Equity                                                                                    461,555              477,121

                                                                                              730,541              924,051

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

 

                                                                                                                                 

 

Parent company HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES current market value US$ 43.7 million.

 

Assets attributed to the local steel activities 31.12.2011: NIS 816,536,000.

 

There are 7 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company's assets (financial assets and fixed assets), in favor of Bank Leumi Le'Israel Ltd., Bank Hapoalim Ltd. and Israel Discount Bank Ltd. (last charge placed December 2010, prior 2 charges placed October 2001).

 

REVENUES

                                                                        HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES LTD.

                                                                        Consolidated Statement of Income

                                                                                         NIS (thousands)

                                                                                      Year ended 31.12

                                                                               2009                 2010              2011

Sales                                                                     841,593            975,249         1,262,114

 

Gross profit                                                              66,783              68,549           105,601

 

Operating profit (loss)                                             (21,576)              12,571             38,299

 

Profits (loss) before taxes on income                       (23,146)               6,721             29,536

 

Net profit (loss)                                                      (16,803)               5,418             16,183

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

 

 

2011 revenues of steel activities were NIS 1,034,344,000.

 

Subject ended 2009 with a net profit of 250,000.

Subject ended 2010 with a net profit of 145,000.

Subject ended 2011 with a net profit of 175,000.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

HOD SELA LTD., 51%, dealers in flat iron, professional iron and piping,

TAMA LTD., Guernsey Island, 100%, owns:

GAMMA INDUSTRIES SRL, Romania, 100%, holds S.C SARME SI CABLURI S.A. ("SIRME"), Romania, 99.9%, plant in Romania, ORON INTERNATIONAL SRL, Romania, 50%.

 

HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES LTD., parent company, independently and via subsidiaries, traders, manufacturers, processors, exporters and marketers of metal goods for the construction, industrial and agricultural sectors.

Also holds (all 100% subsidiaries unless otherwise mentioned):

HOD GLOBAL WIRE LTD., manufacturers of steel wires, fully owns ASSAF CONDUCTORS LTD.

HOD – ZAMIR EQUIPMENT & BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD., 60%, traders, importers and marketers of building supplies and materials, fully owns ISCOL TRADE LTD., importers and marketers of wood and timber for the construction sector, and electricity poles.

STEEL RECYCLING LTD., established in 2006, purchasing steel scraps and processing them for the melting in Group's plant.

HOD - ASSAF STEEL LTD., Group’s steel melting plant in Acre, manufacturing steel bars from scrap metal.

 

 

BANKERS

 

Bank Leumi Le'Israel Ltd., Haifa Main Branch (No. 876), Haifa.

Bank Hapoalim Ltd., Hamifratz Branch (No. 791), Haifa.

Also known to be working with Israel Discount Bank Ltd.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned.

 

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.

 

HOD ASSAF Group is one of the leading and largest suppliers of steel to the local industry, with daily production of 1,200 tons of steel.

As noted above (BUSINESS), HOD ASSAF Group has been going a structural change, in which subject is to concentrate all Group's steel activities in Israel, including manufacturing activities from sister companies HOD - ASSAF STEEL and STEEL RECYCLING. All Romanian activities will become a separate division, under TAMA LTD. A 3rd segment will be of "Others", including HOD – ZAMIR, ISCOL, HOD GLOBAL WIRE and HOD SELA ((which will remain subject's 51% subsidiary).

 

In August 2006 the Ministry of Environment issued a warning letter to HOD – ASSAF of shutting down their plant for causing air pollution above the allowed standard. As a result, HOD – ASSAF purchased and installed a system for decreasing the emissions causing air pollutions, according to plan approved by the Ministry of Environment, in value of US$ 2 million.

In that regard, in December 2006, 4 citizens filed a class action motion against HOD – ASSAF and Group's former General Manager Andre Vaida.

In February 2009 HOD – ASSAF reached a compromise in claim against them regarding environmental damages, in which HOD – ASSAF will invest some NIS 15 million in new procedures, donate NIS 330,000 to an environment fund and also pay legal expenses NIS 370,000. In February 2012 the Haifa District Court approved the compromise.

 

In May 2009 subject and parent company HOD – ASSAF INDUSTRIES (as well as YEHUDA STEEL Group, the 2 Israeli manufactures of reinforced steel), requested from Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor to impose custom levies on imported steel (anti-dumping) in order to protect local steel industry, which may collapse. At the first stage the Ministry checked and after finding that import of iron increased significantly (market share of imported iron rose to 25%), decided to lay a temporary levy.

Local steel and iron importers, as well as the Contractors’ Association, submitted their objection to the Ministry and also appealed through the Courts to avoid such import tax. They claimed that there has been no rise in demand for iron in 2008. In August 2009 the Ministry formed a compromise, according to which import of iron to Israel up to 270,000 tons (average import in 2007-2008) will not be levied and over that limit a US$84 per ton will be imposed.

As the price metal started to rise, both Groups requested a levy on scrap iron export due to extensive export (to Turkey) claiming it causes a shortage in the local market, which elevates prices, hence the lack of economic viability for local production. On the 24.07.2011 the Minister of Trade agreed on a levy of US$ 35 per exported ton (for one year).

 

According to data by of the Metal, Electrical and Infrastructure Industries Association, representing the local Metal and Electricity Industries, which includes large scale export-oriented industries on one hand and family-owned plants which sell to the local market: 2010 sales (local and export) by the said industries amounted to NIS 70 billion, comprising 25% of Israel's industrial output. Results are similar to 2008 scales, after some 20% drop in 2009 due to the significant slow-down in the local economy, affected by the global financial and economic crisis. Sales for export reached US$ 10 billion in 2010.

Some 90,000 employees serve the said industries (26% of Israel's industrial workforce).

 

Export of products of Basic Metals by the local industry rose in 2011 by 12.6% from 2010, reaching US$2,678.7 million, continuing the growth trend in 2010 when it rose by 39.2% from 2009. Export of Machinery & Equipment also marked 8.3% increase in 2011 (in value of US$2,975.5 million), after 8% rise in 2010.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), import of metals raw materials to the local industries in 2010 and 2011 showed an increasing trend, after a contraction in 2009 in view of the local and global slow-down in economy. Import of raw materials divided as follows: Iron and Steel - rise by 33.6% in 2010 (after 38% decrease in 2009 from 2008) and by 36.3% in 2011, reaching US$ 2,457 million; Precious Metals - up 22.5% in 2010 (after 35.3% decrease in 2009) and by 2% in 2011 reaching US$ 146.7 million; Non-ferrous Metals - 40.7% rise in 2010 (after 44.3% decrease in 2009 from 2008) and by 20% in 2011, reaching US$ 986.2 million.

 

Despite the current general weakness in local markets (negatively affected by the global economy), 2011 ended with significantly improved economic indicators compared to 2010 in terms of gross domestic investment in machinery and other equipment for the manufacturing industry (excl. ships & aircrafts). Central Bureau of Statistics data reveals that investments -both from import and domestic production- of machinery & equipment rose by over 35% from 2010 (in 2010 it rose by some 10% from 2009, after it fell by 19% from 2008). Total gross domestic investment in machinery & equipment from import alone, rose in 2011 by 52% from 2010 (12% rise in 2010 after falling in 2009 by almost 23%).

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Notwithstanding the lack of updated data from subject's officials, considered 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.53.23

UK Pound

1

Rs.86.14

Euro

1

Rs.69.98

 

 

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.