MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

31.10.2013

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

METAL-TECH LTD.

 

 

Formerly Known As :

METALTEK METAL TECHNOLOGY LTD

 

 

Registered Office :

P.O. Box 2412, Beer Sheva (8412315), Ramat Hovav Industrial Zone, Ramat Hovav 8551600

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Financials (as on) :

30.06.2012

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

31.03.1983

 

 

Legal Form :

A Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Producers, recyclers, processors and marketers of metal and specialty metal chemicals, focusing on converting low grade metals, mining tailings and waste into higher value metal oxides and metal powder products for the industry.

 

 

No. of Employees :

123

 

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 :

Slow but correct

 

 

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

 

METAL-TECH LTD.

Telephone    972 8 657 23 33 /2

Fax             972 8 657 23 34

Email:          general@metal-tech.co.il

P.O. Box 2412, BEER SHEVA (8412315)

Ramat Hovav Industrial Zone

RAMAT HOVAV 8551600  ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-111639-4 on the 31.03.1986.

 

Originally registered under the name DAGESH BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES LTD., which changed to METEK METAL TECHNOLOGY LTD. on the 21.9.1989, which changed to METALTEK METAL TECHNOLOGY LTD. on the 3.3.2000. During 2000-2001 subject switched its name twice again, switching between the latter two names, then finally on the 24.7.2001 changed to the present one.

 

In May 2005 published a prospectus offering shares to the public on the London AIM Stock Exchange, raising a sum of Ł10.5 million (based on company value of Ł50 million), following which converted into a public limited company.

 

Following a tender offer published by HILLAH CONSULTANTS in September 2012 for the shares held by the public, on the 12.10.2012 shares were delisted from trade on AIM and later subject re-converted into a private limited company.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital NIS 20,000,000.00, divided into -

100,000,000 ordinary shares of NIS 0.20 each, of which 38,476,328 shares amounting to NIS 7,695,265.60 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

1.    ISCAR LTD., 51%, fully owned by BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. (via a foreign company), of the U.S.A., a public limited company, whose shares are also traded on the New York Stock Exchange, controlled by Warren Buffett,

2.    Ariel (Aik) Rosenberg, 49% (holding directly –some 18%, and via HILLAH CONSULTANTS LTD. of Denmark – some 31%).

 

In 1994 Aik Rosenberg acquired most of subject's shares from PAZ OIL LTD.

 

In mid 2012 ISCAR acquired 51% of subject for reported sum of Ł 12.8 million.

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

1.    Ariel (Aik) Rosenberg, Chairman and General Manager,

2.    Jacob Harpaz, General Manager of ISCAR,

3.    Moshe Sharon.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Producers, recyclers, processors and marketers of metal and specialty metal chemicals, focusing on converting low grade metals, mining tailings and waste into higher value metal oxides and metal powder products for the industry.

 

Subject deals with Tungsten, Molybdenum and other specialty metals, chemicals and metal powders which are used mainly in the stainless steel, petrochemical and cutting tools industries.

 

95% of sales are for export.

 

Operating from an owned premises (offices, plant), on an area of 20,000 sq. meters, in the Ramat Hovav Industrial Zone, south of Beer Sheva.

 

Having 123 employees.

 

Having some 11,000 employees in ISCAR Group, of which some 2,500 employees in Israel.

 

 

MEANS

 

In May 2005, subject completed a Ł10.5 million capital raise (approximately US$ 18.5 million) by issuing its shares for trading on the London Stock Exchange.

 

Subject is an “Approved Enterprise” and as such entitled for State support and tax relieves. The Israeli Investment Center (IIC) approved in 1999 a US$ 4 million investment plan for the expansion of subject’s plant. 

 

As part of subject's expansion plans to increase its recycling and production capacity in Israel, during the first half of 2012 the IIC approved the Company’s investment program of US$7.6 million, and subject's Directors believe will provide a grant of 20%, with the option of an additional 12%, of the investment costs. Subject has commenced implementing investment, though its completion depends on further funding (which we believe has been sorted out with the entrance of ISCAR).

 

There are 5 charges for unlimited amounts, as well as 1 charge for the sum of US$ 25,000,000 and 1 charge for the sum of NIS 413,000 registered on the company's assets, in favor of the State of Israel, The First International Bank of Israel Ltd., Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd., ISCAR LTD. and BEZEQ INTL. LTD.

 

Consolidated B/S shows (last obtainable):

                                                                                                   US$ (thousands)

                                                                                         31.12.2011            30.06.2012

ASSETS

Current assets

     Cash and cash equivalents                                                      354                          990

     Restricted cash                                                                    2,564                       2,449

     Trade receivables                                                                 5,604                       5,213

     Other accounts receivable                                                     1,297                       1,190

     Inventories                                                                          23,401                      22,092

                                                                                              33,220                      31,934

 

Non-current assets

     Trade receivables                                                                    620                          321

     Property and equipment, net                                               10,173                      10,329

                                                                                              10,793                      10,650

                                                                                              44,013                      42,584        

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

 

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities                                                                      33,106                      32,769

Lon-term liabilities                                                                     1,032                       1,054

Equity                                                                                       9,875                       8,761

                                                                                              44,013                      42,584        

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

 

 

REVENUES

                                                                           Consolidated Statement of income

                                                                                           Year ended 31.12

                                                                                           US$ (thousands)

                                                                               2009                 2010                2011

Revenues                                                                   36,742              45,878              52,149     

 

Gross profit (loss)                                                      (9,919)                  407                6,893     

 

Operating loss                                                          (18,593)             (7,288)                (503)     

 

Loss before income on taxes                                    (20,638)             (9,292)                (960)     

 

Net income (loss)                                                    (20,473)            (26,752)                4,472     

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

The first 6 months of 2012 sales were US$ 20,397,000 (32% decrease compared to the parallel period of 2011), making a gross profit of US$ 2,165,000, an operating loss of US$ 890,000 and a net loss of US$ 1,114,000.

Later sales figures unavailable.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

Subject's accountant informed us that currently subject has no subsidiaries.

 

It is possible that subject's former subsidiaries below became sister companies, following the acquisition of 51% of subject's shares by ISCAR.

 

METEK METAL TECH SA, 100%, Switzerland,

ELECMETAL TECH JV LIMITADA, Chile, 50%,

METAL TECH CZ, 50%, Czech Republic, inactive,

JAR LTD. 100%, Russia, inactive,

METAL-TECH RECYCLING LTD., 100%, Israel, inactive.

 

ISCAR LTD., parent company, developers, manufacturers, marketers and exporters of finished hard-metal cutting tools and systems, tungsten and titanium carbide tips, indexable cutting tools, router bits and coated carbide. ISCAR 2012 sales were reported to be circa US$ 4,000 million.

 

Having many subsidiaries, mainly worldwide, in ISCAR METALWORKING COMPANIES Group, including TUNGALOY CORPORATION, 95%, of Japan. Among ISCAR local subsidiaries:

 

MICRO TOOLS LTD., metal precision parts manufacturing,

 

ZURIM TOOLS LTD., 51%, manufacturers of precision cutting tools,

 

SHAFIR PRODUCTION SYSTEMS LTD., 59%, manufacturers and marketers of custom-made automatic computerized machinery and robots for the industry.


H.B.Y.N. LTD
.

 

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, established in 1956, has current market value is  US$ 289 billion.

 

 

BANKERS

 

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd., Beer Sheva Business Center Branch (No. 426), Beer Sheva, account No. 688808 (main account).

The First International Bank of Israel Ltd., Main Haifa Branch (No. 006), Haifa, account No. 936995.

 

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


 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned (please refer also to NOTE below).

 

Subject's accountant refused to update financial data (it is part of ISCAR's official strict confidential policy).

 

Subject is ISO 9001; 2000 and ISO 14001 certified.

 

In September 2005, subject became the first foreign company to establish a hydrometallurgy plant in Mongolia, as its joint venture with the ERDENET MINING CORPORATION.

 

In July 2006 subject announced that METEK METAL, its subsidiary based in Switzerland, is expanding production into the Czech Republic with the formation of METAL-TECH CZ (80%) for producing Tungsten and Molybdenum from the recycling of waste and spent catalysts sourced from the oil refineries industry.

The remaining 20% will be owned by the SPOLCHEMIE, a Czech chemical company traded on the Czech Stock Exchange.

 

In August 2007, a Tashkent Court issued an order for liquidation proceedings against (former) 50% Uzbek subsidiary UZMETAL TECHNOLOGIES (UTL), which is following a dispute with subject's local partners (Uzbek State-owned), which began in July 2006 and caused the halt in the plant's operations and reach bankruptcy and liquidation.

Subject claimed that the Republic of Uzbekistan breached their obligations for UTL and the parties went into arbitration, and last report is from 2012 2nd half which the case is still in arbitration.

 

In 2008 the Government of Mongolia nationalized subject's 70% Mongolian subsidiary's (SHIM TECH LTD) plant. SHIM TECH LTD was declared bankrupt in 2011. Subject had claims and was taking steps in that regard.

 

In 2009 subject experienced a 76% drop in revenues resulting from the global economic crisis, which halted the demand of Molybdenum and dramatically dropped its prices. Subject went through streamlining and efficiency measures.  

 

In October 2011 subject signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with TECHNOPLUS VENTURES, where the latter will invest and provide finance for subject in volume of US$ 5 million, in consideration of 27.5%-35% of subject's shares. In March 2012 subject informed TECHNOPLUS that the MoU is no longer valid. TECHNOPLUS reported it is checking with its legal advisors its stand regarding the cease of negotiations with subject.

 

New parent company ISCAR, established in 1954, is a world leading manufacturer in the cutting tools field.

 In July 2006, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, the American investment company controlled by investment guru Warren Buffett, completed the acquisition of 80% of ISCAR Group from its owners, Stef Wertheimer and Eitan Wertheimer, for US$ 4 billion in cash, according to a company value of US$ 5 billion. In mid 2013 BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY realized its option to acquire the remaining 20% held by Wertheimer Family, for US$ 2.05 billion. This most recent transaction by Buffet proves his full faith in ISCAR.

 

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.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Notwithstanding the lack of updated financial data from subject's officials (and notice below), being an ISCAR subsidiary, considered good for trade engagements.

 

NOTES:

1.     According to the Registrar of Companies subject has a "Warning Before Registration as a Law Violating Company" Status.

Registration as a "Law Violating Company" is done due certain violation of the subject company for not meeting the Registrar of Companies regulations promptly, such as not paying Registrar fees, and not submitting annual reports on time. It should be noted that this is not necessarily connected to the company's business activities and financial standing. Although in many cases there is a connection to the bad financial condition of the company, we believe it is not so in subject's case (i.e. may be a technical/administrative procedure), though we are unable to determine that.

Once the company is declared as a "Law Violating Company", it may lead to severe penalties against it, including penalties (could be fines up to NIS 250,000), not allowing the company to register new charges or to make changes in the Registrar, and more.

2.    Since February 2013 Israel Post has started using a new area code method of 7 digits (the old method of 5 digits is no longer valid).


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.61.49

UK Pound

1

Rs.98.71

Euro

1

Rs.84.49

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Report Prepared by :

NIT

 

 

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.