MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

10.06.2013

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

SYNERGY CABLES LTD.

 

 

Formerly Known As :

SUPERIOR CABLES LTD.

ZION CABLES UNITED WORKS LTD

 

 

Registered Office :

P.O. Box 102 (8701002) 1 Haeshel Street Sapirim Industrial Park Sderot 8710201

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2012

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

10.07.1963

 

 

Legal Form :

Public Limited Liability Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturers, marketers and exporters of power and electrical cables, ranging from low (LV), medium (MV) and high voltage (HV) power cables up to 161 kV; control, airfield lightning, EMC and industrial cables.

 

 

No. of Employees :

262

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

B

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

26-40

B

Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

Small

 

Status :

Moderate

 

 

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, 2013

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.12.2012)

Current Rating

(31.03.2013)

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. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among 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. Israel''s economy also has weathered the Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East have insulated the economy from spillover effects. 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, and production from the Tama field is expected to meet all of Israel''s natural gas demand beginning mid-2013. 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

 

SYNERGY CABLES LTD.

Telephone         972 8 680 94 44

Fax                   972 8 689 00 14

E-mail:              synergy@synergy-cables.com

P.O. Box 102 (8701002)

1 Haeshel Street

Sapirim Industrial Park

SDEROT 8710201 ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A public limited liability company, incorporated as per file No. 52-002527-1 on the 10.07.1963.

Originally registered under the name ZION CABLES UNITED WORKS LTD., which changed to SUPERIOR CABLES LTD. on 24.01.1999, and then changed to the present one on 23.04.2007.

 

In 1998, all activities of CVALIM – THE ELECTRIC WIRE AND CABLE COMPANY OF ISRAEL LTD., a rival company founded in 1934 and operated in the same line as subject, were acquired in consideration of US$ 43.5 million and merged it into subject.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital NIS 40,000,000.00, divided into -

            4,000,000,000 ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 each,

of which 202,257,092 shares amounting to NIS 2,022,570.92 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

1.         ALPINE GROUP INC., of the U.S.A., holding 47.9% (through fully owned SUPERIOR CABLES HOLDING (1997) LTD.), controlled by ALPINE HOLDCO INC., controlled by Steven S. Elbaum,

2.         Shares are also traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

 

In September 2002, former parent SUPERIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC. (U.S.) signed an agreement to sell several assets and holdings, including its shares in subject, to the ALPINE GROUP INC. (which owns 49% of SUPERIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC.) for a sum of US$ 85 million. The deal was finalized on the 12.12.2002.

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

Steven S. Elbaum, Chairman,

Dr. Hugo Chaufan, Vice Chairman,

Stewart Wahrsager,

Shaul Yamal,

Aviram Lahav,

Prof. Leora Kazenstein.

 

GENERAL MANAGER

 

Meir Yalon.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Manufacturers, marketers and exporters of power and electrical cables, ranging from low (LV), medium (MV) and high voltage (HV) power cables up to 161 kV; control, airfield lightning, EMC and industrial cables.

 

52.6% of power cables sales were for export in 2012 (60% in 2011, 55% in 2010), mainly to U.K. USA and Germany.

 

Until the end of the first half of 2008, manufacturing was divided into 2 divisions: Telecommunications and Power, when by June 2008 the Telecommunications Div. activity was sold to the TELDOR Group (see more below).

 

Main client is THE ISRAEL ELECTRIC CORP., 30% of sales in 2012.

 

Purchasing of copper is via affiliate EXEON INC. (subsidiary of ALPINE).

Aluminum supplier: RUSAL.

Amongst local suppliers: Y.T.S. YOGEV TRADING SERVICES

 

Operating from premises, an owned plant, 60,000 sq. meters, on which 34,000 sq. meters built in 1 Haeshel Street, Sapirim Industrial Park, Sderot (known as Shaar Hanegev Plant). Also operating from facilities as follows:

Additional 15,000 sq. meters storage facilities adjacent to Sderot plant.

Rented offices, on an area of 65 sq. meters in 7 Hameyasdim Street, Kiryat Bialik.

Rented offices, on an area of 50 sq. meters, 18 Lishansky Street, New Industrial Zone, in Rishon Le-Zion,

 

Having 262 employees (had 280 employees in end of 2011).

The decrease is due to the sale of subsidiary PREMIER CABLES in June 2012.

 

 

MEANS

 

In their Reviews for subject’s financial statements for 2010 and 2011 quarterly reports (last is on 30.09.2011) the CPA attached a "going concern" note for subject, due to accumulated losses in the years 2008-2010 (total NIS 181.6 million) and uncertainty as to the continuing profitability trend that subject reached in 1st half of 2011 (net profit of NIS 9.6 million, though after deducting capital gain from selling an asset it reaches net loss of NIS 2.3 million), as well as doubts as to the company's ability to meet its financial covenants towards its bankers (since December 2008). In August 2010 subject finalized debt arrangement with its bonds holders, including change in interest rates and reschedule (postponement) of bonds redemption in sum of NIS 160 million to 2017 (instead of 2013), and other obligations.

ALPINE also fueled NIS 7.5 million into subject in a convertible loan.

Subject committed to a wide re-organization move, completed during 2011 first half, which included streamlining measures and dismissals, real estate asset realization (sold – see below CHARACTER) and shift in headquarters.

In March 2012 new financial covenants were agreed with subject's banks. That, together the success of the re-organization and the significant lowering of subject debts to the banks (NIS 20.3 million on the 31.12.2011 compared to NIS 48.5 million on the 31.12.2009), brought to the lifting of the "going concern" note from subject's 2011 annual statements, and since.

 

Current market value US$ 15 million.

 

Accrued orders of power cables as of 01.03.2013: NIS 72 million.

 

In February 2007, in a framework of a prospectus published, subject completed a capital raise of 119 million in issue of bonds and options.

 

There are 9 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company's assets (financial assets, fixed assets, equipment and a vehicle), in favor of Bank Hapoalim Ltd., Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd., The First International Bank of Israel Ltd. and a computer company (last charge placed April 2012).

 

Consolidated B/S shows:                     

                                                            NIS (thousands)

                                                            31.12.2012        31.03.2013

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

            Cash, cash equivalents              5,080                3,813

            Other financial assets                3,431                3,865

            Customers                                91,547              87,734

            Other debtors                            7,123                8,697

            Other assets                             270                   -

            Stock                                        101,247 129,128

                                                            208,698 233,237

Non-current assets

            Fixed assets                             93,942              92,201

            Other non-current assets                3,044                2,913

                                                              96,986              95,114

                                                            305,684 328,351

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

 

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities                                    137,596 163,066

Non-current liabilities                             98,591              91,723

Equity                                                    69,497               73,562

                                                            305,684 328,351

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

 

REVENUES

 

Consolidated Statement of Income NIS (thousands) Year ended 31.12

 

                                                            2010                 2011                 2012

Sales (from ongoing operations)                        547,773 592,608 626,688

 

Gross profit                                          64,615              75,133              85,844

 

Operating income                                  1,844                33,750              26,603

           

Profit (loss) before taxes on income      (39,554)           12,092              12,015

 

Net profit (loss)                                    (43,948)            9,514                12,709

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

 

Consolidated sales for the first 3 months of 2013 were NIS 98,462,000 (44% decrease compared to the parallel period of 2012), making a gross profit of

NIS 11,688,000, an operating profit of NIS 7,677,000 and a net profit of NIS 3,059,000.

The decrease in sales is due to a decrease in sales to THE ISRAEL ELECTRIC CORP. (a shift in delivery dates) and the sale of PREMIER CABLES.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

SYNERGY CABLES GmbH (SCG), 100%, Germany, marketing company,

SYNERGY CABLES USA INC. (SCU), 100%, USA, marketing company,

SYNERGY CABLES CANADA INC. (SCC), 100%, Canada, marketing company,

EILAT OPTIC CABLES LTD., CABLES OF ZION UNITED MARKETING COMPANY LTD., H.T. CABLE LTD., all 100%, all non-active.

 

 

BANKERS

 

Bank Hapoalim Ltd., Ashdod Business Branch (No. 399), Ashdod.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

As noted above, financial standing of subject was troublesome till couple of years ago. The global and local economic climate in recent years also made it harder for subject to recover. Nevertheless, re-organization moves (including sales of no core activities and assets, layoffs, and subsidiary sale – see more below) and arrangements with its bond holders and bankers, as well as recovery in the markets (included increase in orders from local Electricity Corp.) improved subject's conditions. Yet, the local and global economic environment has been worsening again in recent period.

In the legal aspect, nothing unfavorable learned apart from relatively minor case (see more below).

 

Subject is a leading company in the power cables field in Israel, with estimated market share of 25% in low voltage cables in 2012 (was 30% in 2011), and 65% in medium-high voltage cables in 2012 (was 75% in 2011).

 

The cables are manufactured according to world standards and all the manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001/9002 approved.

 

In 1999, subject acquired the activities of its local competitor in the electrical cables industry, PICA PLAST LTD., in consideration of US$ 9.7 million.

 

ALPINE GROUP INC. is an industrial holding company in the metal and wires business. It is a public company whose shares are traded on the OTC Stock Exchange (symbol APNI:OTC US).

 

In July 2006 SHREM FUDIM GROUP, through its investment arm SFK TECHNOLOGIES, and partners invested in subject in return of 30% of its shares. Shares were held by ART P.E. LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a private equity investment fund. SFK TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (SFT), a publicly traded (TASE) investment company. Until December 2010 it SFT held 44% of ART as a limited partner and 50% as general partner.

In September 2009 SFT signed agreements with its partners in ART (including Ofer Yarkoni and Doron Steiger) to dismantle ART during 2010 and realize the investment of ART in subject. In December 2010 ART divided its holdings in subject between its partners – 13% left to S.R. ACCORD TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (formerly SFK TECHNOLOGIES LTD., no EILUY FINANCY LTD.), who holds the shares in subject. EILUY FINANCY later sold all its activities (investments) and is currently a public shell company. In February 2013 EILUY sold its holdings in subject.

 

In 2003, subject signed a deal to acquire 34% of a company in Kazakhstan. In April 2004, the deal was replaced with a new one, according to which subject will provide equipment for 22% of KAZENERGOKABEL shares and for US$ 900,000.

In December 2010 subject sold its holdings (22%) in the Kazakh company for US$ 2 million.

In that regard, subject has been in legal process from 2006 concerning a claim against subject for fees by a law office in Kazakhstan. In December 2012 subject and H.T. were ruled to pay NIS 12,351 (twelve thousand, three hundred and fifty one NIS only). An appeal was made by plaintiff, though subject estimates its chances are lower than 50%.

 

In June 2008 subject finalized a transaction with local telecommunications, electronics and electricity cables manufacturer TELDOR WIRES AND CABLES LTD., selling to TELDOR subject's Telecommunication Cables Division for

NIS 50.2 million, net (activity value was NIS 75 million, from which debt of subject to TELDOR was erased). The sold division sales in 2007 comprised some 20% of subject's sales. The move was part of the company's strategic plan to focus on its core activities. As part of the deal subject will cease the marketing activities of SYNERGY CABLES GmbH in Germany.

 

In December 2010 subject realized its holdings (37.5%) in a real estate in Rishon Le-Zion for NIS 20.5 million, money designed to redeem short-term bank loans.

 

In June 2012 (as part of subject's re-organization) subject sold its holdings (80%) in PREMIER CABLES LTD., UK, marketing company, for £ 3.7 million.

 

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 fell 11% in 2012 from 2011, reaching US$2,396 million, after rising by 12.6% in 2011 (continuing the growth trend from 2010 when it rose by 39% from 2009).

Export of Machinery & Equipment also marked 10% increase in 2012 (in value of US$3,317 million), after around 8% yearly rise in both 2011 and 2010.

 

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), import of metals raw materials to the local industries in 2012 marked a decreasing trend, after a remarkable recovery in the years 2010 and 2011 from 2009 (a year where the local industry suffered from slow-down in economy). Import of raw materials divided in 2012 as follows: Iron and Steel – fell by 11.5%, reaching US$ 2,177 million (after rising by over 30% per year in 2010 and in 2011); Precious Metals – down 13% (after rising by 2% in 2011 and 22.5% in 2010) and reaching US$ 146 million; Non-ferrous Metals – fell by 13% (after increase by 20% in 2011 and by 41% in 2010), reaching US$ 803 million.

 

Central Bureau of Statistics data reveals that investments by the local manufacturing industries -both from import and domestic production- in machinery & equipment (M&E) in 2012 fell by 1%, which comes after 41% rise in 2011. The investments originating from import, which comprised 70% of overall investment in M&E, fell 3.8% (after 69% rise in 2011), while investment originating from local production rose by 6.2% in 2012 (fell 5.3% in 2011).

Gross Domestic Capital Formation (investment) in machinery & other equipment in 2012 reached (in current prices) NIS 47,540 million, of which NIS 33,336 million was from imports and NIS 14,204 miilion from domestic production.  

 

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, investments by the local industrial branch in imported machinery and other equipment in 2012 witnessed almost 20% (in current prices) decrease from 2011, after climbing by 108% in 2011 from 2010. The fall in 2012 in investment could be explained by the continuing unfavorable business environment, which is also negatively affected by the slow-down in overseas markets.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Considering the significant improvement in subject's financial situation, we figure subject is by now good for trade engagements and even for credits. However, since thing are still fragile (also in view of the unfavorable economic environment), therefore we recommend for relatively low exposure. Follow-up is also recommended.


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.56.74

UK Pound

1

Rs.88.53

Euro

1

Rs.75.20

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Report Prepared by :

SDA

 

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.