MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

12.09.2012

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

NILIT LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

Mauricio Levi Rd., Ramat Gavriel Industrial Zone, Migdal Haemek 2310201

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

1969

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturers, exporters and marketers of nylon 6.6 polyamide fibers.

 

 

No. of Employees :

1,500

 

 

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

 

 

ISRAEL - ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals - following years of prudent fiscal policy and a resilient banking sector. The economy has recovered better than most advanced, comparably sized economies. In 2010, Israel formally acceded to the OECD. Natural gasfields discovered off Israel's coast during the past two years have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Leviathan field was one of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds this past decade. In mid-2011, public protests arose around income inequality and rising housing and commodity prices. The government formed committees to address some of the grievances but has maintained that it will not engage in deficit spending to satisfy populist demands.

Source : CIA


Company name and address

 

NILIT LTD.

Telephone      972 4 654 46 66

Fax                972 4 654 46 03

P.O. Box 276, Migdal Ha'emek

Mauricio Levi Rd.

Ramat Gavriel Industrial Zone

MIGDAL HAEMEK 2310201 ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

Originally established in 1969 as a non-registered business by the Late Ennio Levi.

Converted into a private limited company and registered as such as per file
No. 51-056215-6 on the 07.02.1971.

Commercial manufacturing begun in 1974.

 

Converted into a public limited liability company and registered as such as per file No. 52-003473-7 on the 27.07.1983.

 

Reconverted into a private limited company and registered as such as per file
No. 51-135719-6 on the 16.01.1989.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital NIS 250,000,000.00, divided into - 250,000,000 ordinary shares of NIS 1.00 each, of which 246,500,000 shares amounting to NIS 246,500,000.00 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Subject is fully owned by NILIT B.V. of the Netherlands (shares are held via trust company ACHU FRANK INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LTD. by a local Attorney Office Zellermayer, Pelossof & Co. Adv.).

NILIT B.V. is owned by:

1.    Michael Levi (& family), 80%

2.    MARKSTONE CAPITAL GROUP, 20%, managed by Amir Kess and Ron Lubash.

 

In May 2005, the MARKSTONE Investment Fund acquired 20-21% of subject (through parent company), in consideration of US$ 73 million.

 


DIRECTORS

 

1.    Michael Levi, Chairman,

2.    Arnon Tiberg,

3.    Meir Het,

4.    Ronen Melnik,

5.    Avi Pelossof, Adv.,

6.    Amnon Lipkin-Shachak, former Israeli Minister and Chief of Staff in the IDF.

7.    Amir Kess, of the MARKSTONE Fund.

 

 

GENERAL MANAGER

 

Arieh Gottlieb.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Manufacturers, exporters and marketers of nylon 6.6 polyamide fibers.

The company, itself and via subsidiaries, operates in two divisions:

1)    Fibers Division: Raw material for own yarns manufacturing (nylon polymers) of fashion body wear, active wear, legs wear and intimate apparel.
As part of the Division, subject operates in 3 Joint Ventures:

S.N. FIBRES, 51% (rest 49% held by SARA LEE of the USA)

U.N.F. INDUSTRIES, 50% (rest 50% held by UNIFI INC of the USA)

     P.N.F. INDUSTRIES, 51% (rest 49% held by GENERAL)

2)    Plastics Division: Resins (polymers and co-polymers) for the Engineered Plastics industry, designed for the automotive and electronics industries.

 

Some 95% of sales are for export, to some 30 countries. Having hundreds customers.

 

Amongst local clients: DELTA GALIL INDS., ASIV TEXTILE INDS., POLYRAM RAM-ON INDS., MARANIT, etc.

Amongst foreign clients: UNIFI, TYCO ELECTRONICS, ROBERT BOSCH, DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE, etc.

 

Among local suppliers: CARGAL, PALAS ET REGEV INDS., CAROSTEC, PAZ OIL, A. ORLAN, INTERMEC BAR-CODE, K.I.T TEX INTERNATIONAL, etc.

Amongst local service providers: FAVARDI STUDIO, of Italy (fashion design), RIUMAR SHIPPING (forwarders).

 

Operating from owned premises (offices, plants, warehouses), on an area of 350,000 sq. meters, in Mauricio Levi Road, Industrial Zone, Migdal Ha'emek, and from manufacturing plants in USA, Germany, Italy and China.

Also operates from owned offices in the Textile House, 2 Kaufman Street, Tel Aviv. Also maintain offices worldwide.

 

Having 730 employees in Israel (had 700 employees in 2009, same as in 2008). Having over 1,500 employees in NILIT Group (Israel and abroad).

 

MEANS

 

Until 2007, we are informed that over US$ 300 million have been invested in subject.

In MARKSTONE Fund’s statements for the 1st half of 2010, the value of their investment in subject was US$ 104.8 million (initial investment US$ 72.8 million).

 

Subject and several of its subsidiaries are “Approved Enterprises” and as such enjoy tax benefits and State incentives.

In November 1999, the Israeli Investment Center (IIC) approved an US$ 2.4 million investment plan for the expansion of subsidiary S.N. FIBRES plant.

In November 2001 and December 2002, IIC approved US$ 12.8 million and US$ 30 million investment plans (respectively) for the expansion of subject’s plant.

In March 2006, it was reported that subject received a 5 year tax benefit from IIC.

 

In January 2012 it was reported that subject is going to make a huge investment of NIS 300 million in expansion, which will include NIS 100 million in expanding its plants compound in Migdal Ha'emek, and the reminder of the investment in its plants in Germany and China. Subject asked the IIC for NIS 20 million grant for the Migdal Ha'emek plan, in which it employ further tens of new workers.

 

Other financial data not forthcoming (as principle, officials do not divulge financial statements and their content).

 

There is 1 floating charge for an unlimited amount registered on the company's assets (fixed assets), in favor of the State of Israel (charges placed in August 2011).

 

 

REVENUES

 

Subject’s 2008 sales claimed to be US$ 200 million.

 

Consolidated 2008 sales claimed to be US$ 400 million, 95% for export.

Increase was also explained in the inclusion of acquisitions and subsidiaries (some of which apparently were formerly considered as “sister companies”).

Subject’s 2009 sales claimed to be US$ 200 million.

2009 consolidated sales claimed to be US$ 400 million, 95% for export.

2010 consolidated sales claimed to be US$ 500 million, 95% for export.

2011 consolidated sales claimed to be are US$ 550 million, 95% for export.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

NILIT PLASTICS EUROPE S.R.L., Italy,

NILIT PLASTICS EUROPE GMBH & CO. KG, Germany,

NILIT GERMANY GMBH, Germany,

NILIT CHINA, China,

NILIT NYLON TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO., LTD., China,

NILIT (SUZHOU) PLASTICS ENGINEERING CO., LTD., China,

NILIT AMERICA, INC., USA

 

S.N. FIBRES LTD., 51%, plant in Migdal Ha'emek,

U.N.F. INDUSTRIES LTD., 50%, plant in Migdal Ha'emek,

P.N.F. INDUSTRIES LTD., 50%, plant in Migdal Ha'emek.

 

Also part of the NILIT BV Group:

EURONIL THERMOPLASTIC COMPOUNDS SpA, Italy.

HANIT FIBERS LTD.

 

MEDITERRANEAN CAR AGENCY LTD., controlled by Michael Levi, sole local importers and agents of vehicles by FIAT, LANCIA and ALPHA ROMEO.

 

 

BANKERS

 

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

Bank Hapoalim Ltd., Central Business Branch (No. 600), Tel Aviv.

Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Main Branch (No. 010), Tel Aviv.

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd., Main Business Center Branch (No. 461), Tel Aviv.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned.

 

Subject is one of the leading companies in its field in the world.

Subject’s Chairman, Michael Levi, is well-known in the business community.

 

Subject is ISO 9001, QEKO-TEX certified.

 

Subject has business co-operations with leading global textile companies, including SARALEE, UNIFI and POMPEA SpA.

In May 2000, it was reported that subject and UNIFI of the USA will invest

US$ 50 million in establishing a new nylon yarn plant in the NILIT compound.

It was reported that UNIFI will acquire US$ 50 million worth of nylon yarns per year from subject.

 

MARKSTONE Fund in Israel is managed by Ron Lubash and Amir Kess, and is part of the MARKSTONE Capital Group, a private equity fund which specializes in investments in mature and leading industrial companies and in the capital market. The fund raised close to US$ 800 million since 2004 for its portfolio investment, mostly (some 90%) from American institutional investors (e.g. New York State Pension Fund, California Public Employees' Retirement System), and has invested some US$ 560 million in several local companies.

 

In January 2006, it was reported that NILIT Group (NILIT B.V.) acquired INVISTA, one of Europe leading synthetic fibers company, for US$ 400 million.

 

In June 2007 it was reported that NILIT Group is acquiring FRISETTA, a German plastic manufacturer owned by the Rueb family, in consideration of several tens of US$ millions. According to the reports, based on MARKSTONE reports, FRISETTA supplies polymers to the automotive industry, with annual sales of
€ 60 million. It has 180 employees, 2 manufacturing plants and enjoys good reputation in the German market.

This company joins subject's Italian subsidiary, which already operates in this field (EURONIL).

 

In the beginning of 2008, a venture for the erection of a private power station (of 50mW) was launched, led by DELEK INFRASTRUCTURE. This will be one of the first private power stations in Israel, designed to serve subject's plants. The project is erected with an investment estimated at US$ 46 million. Currently, the project awaits the Authorities' approvals and obtaining finance.

 

In May 2008 Group launched a plant in Suzhou, China with an investment of US$ 10 million, with 100 employees. In October 2009 it was reported that an additional investment of US$ 4 million was made for expansion (including some 50 new employees). According to a report from February 2010, an additional investment of US$ 3 million is planned during 2011.

In June 2011 it was reported that subject intends to erect a 3rd plant in China.

 

Subject –like many other firms in the field- were hit by the effects of the global economic crisis that erupted in 2008 2nd half. According to media reports, subject’s profitability was completely eroded during the crisis. Nevertheless, according to the statements published by the MARKSTONE Fund for 2009 subject came over the crisis, from which it exited in strength after the acquisition of NYLSTAR (see below) was completed during 2009.

 

In May 2009 it was reported that subject acquired American Nylon fibers manufacturers NYLSTAR from J.P. MORGAN CHASE for estimated sum of several US$ millions (US$ 20 million according to one report). NYLSTAR 2008 sales were circa US$ 53 million and has some 200 employees. Purchase said to be from NILIT’s own equity, though subject intends to raise capital from an American bank for the current operations of the acquired firm.

 

In February 2010 it was reported that subject's owners are planning an IPO of subject in the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011. So far the IPO did not take place.

 

In September 2011 it was reported that IT company MATRIX completed the project to upgrade all of subject's IT storage systems, as part of the expansion move. The value of the project is estimated at over NIS 600,000.

 

Sales by local Textile, Clothing and Fashion Industries experienced decrease in sales over the last couple of years. The output by the local Textile and Clothing industries in 2009 fell down by 13% from 2008. Some 60% of the textile industry production is sold in the local market and the rest for export. Most exports were the North American markets (some 50%), and the industries suffered from the global economic crisis, mainly in the USA, as well as the slow-down in local market. In 2010 sales for export of the Textile, Clothing & Leather industries improved just slightly, with 3.5% increase from 2009, however in 2011 fell again by 6.6% (mainly due to global markets weakness) reaching US$ 858.7 million.

 

The local industry has been in state of crisis during last decade in face of amounting import from foreign competitors with cheaper production costs, forcing streamlining process, plants closure, and mostly resulting in the shift of textile manufacturing to low labor cost countries. There are around 14,000 employed in the textile sector in some 130 plants. In order to deal with the situation, the local textile industry diverted mainly to advanced technologies production, niches and design aspects.

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Good for trade engagements.

 


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.55.52

UK Pound

1

Rs.88.84

Euro

1

Rs.70.85

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Report Prepared by :

PDT

 

 

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.