MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

17.06.2014

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

KITAN TEXTILE INDUSTRIES LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

P.O. Box 24147, Tel Aviv (6124101), 57 Pinchas Rosen Street, Tel Aviv 6951279           

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2013

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

08.12.1997

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Importers, manufacturers, marketers and exporters of home textile products, e.g. bed linen, towels, bath robes.

 

 

No. of Employees :

114

 

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 31, 2014

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.12.2013)

Current Rating

(31.03.2014)

Israel

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low Risk

 

A2

Moderately Low Risk

 

B1

Moderate Risk

 

B2

Moderately High Risk

 

C1

High Risk

 

C2

Very High Risk

 

D

 


 

ISRAEL - ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among the leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. Between 2004 and 2011, growth averaged nearly 5% per year, led by exports. 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. 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. The economy has recovered better than most advanced, comparably sized economies, but slowing demand domestically and internationally, and a strong shekel, have reduced forecasts for the next decade to the 3% level. Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds this past decade. The massive Leviathan field is not due to come online until 2018, but production from Tamar provided a one percentage point boost to Israel's GDP in 2013 and is expected to contribute 0.5% growth in 2014. In mid-2011, public protests arose around income inequality and rising housing and commodity prices. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. 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. In May 2013 the Israeli government, in a politically difficult process, passed an austerity budget to reign in the deficit and restore confidence in the government's fiscal position. Over the long term, Israel faces structural issues, including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultra-orthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only 9% of the workforce, with the rest employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition.

 

Source : CIA

 


Company name and address

 

KITAN TEXTILE INDUSTRIES LTD.

Telephone         972 3 645 15 55

Fax                   972 3 645 15 21

Email:               service2@kitan.co.il

P.O. Box 24147, Tel Aviv (6124101)

57 Pinchas Rosen Street

TEL AVIV          6951279            ISRAEL

 

Web-site: www.kitan.co.il

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-255936-0 on the 08.12.1997.

 

Subject was established in order to continue the manufacturing activities of its parent company, KITAN CONSOLIDATED LTD., established in 1958.

 

At the end of 2004, sister company TANGO LTD. was merged into subject.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital NIS 6,285,000.00, divided into -

            6,285,000 ordinary shares of NIS 1.00 each,

of which 6,244,000 shares amounting to NIS 6,244,000.00 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Subject is fully owned by KITAN CONSOLIDATED LTD., owned by CLAL INDUSTRIES LTD. (bonds are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange), fully owned by AL DIVERSIFIED PARENT S.A R.L (part of ACCESS INDUSTRIES Group), controlled by Leonard (Len) Blavatnik.

 

In July 2012, I.D.B. HOLDING CORP. LTD., which held 60.5% of CLAL INDUSTRIES (hereafter CI), completed the sale of 49.9% of CI to Leonard (Len) Blavatnik, for NIS 1.27 billion (see more in CHARACTER). In March 2013 I.D.B. sold its remaining holdings (some 11%) in Cl.

 

KITAN CONSOLIDATED LTD’s shares were de-listed from trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on the 12.01.2000 following a series of tender offers made by CLAL INDUSTRIES.

 

In November 2013, following a successful tender offer for the shares held by the public, AL DIVERSIFIED PARENT reached full ownership of CI, paying NIS 1.25 billion for the 50.1% of shares.

In May 2014 sister company GOLF & CO., signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of subject and KITAN CONSOLIDATED for NIS 11 million (only with local operations), as well as for the sale of its overseas activities to affiliate CLAL ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES (see more below). Deal is expected to be completed in the following months.

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

1.         Gonen Bieber,

2.         Yochanan Locker,

3.         Yehuda Ben-Ezra.

 

 

GENERAL MANAGER

 

Mrs. Esther Eldan.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Importers, manufacturers (in the Far East), marketers and exporters of home textile products, e.g. bed linen, towels, bath robes. Also importers and marketers of household products, operating retail chain of 25 stores, under the name 'Kitan', for its manufactured and imported goods.

 

50% of sales are export, to Europe, USA, China, Canada

Products are marketed under the brand names Royal Sateen, Kitan, Kitan Studio, Esprit, Mexx, Walt Disney, Barbie, Supergol, Kitan Cool

 

In December 2012 subject closed its manufacturing plant in Dimona, its last manufacturing plant in Israel, and ceased local manufacturing.

 

Local sales are also via HAMASHBIR 365, largest department store (subject is operating 12 stores in the department stores).

 

Amongst clients: SHUFERSAL, Ministry of Defense, HARRODS (UK), COSTCO (of the USA), HUDSON BAY (Canada).

Imports are mostly from India, China and Turkey.

 

Most of purchase is import, mainly from China (48%) and Turkey (31%).

 

Among local suppliers: AVCO CHEMICALS, SALINA INDUSTRIES, TAGIT M.A., CARGAL, AVRAHAM HARATI, SOLTAM-RADAD.

 

Operating from main offices (partly owned by CLAL Group), on an area of 21,000 sq. meters (serving also other companies in CLAL Group), in 57 Pinchas Rosen Street, Tel Aviv, from a rented plant (owned by CLAL Group), on an area of 60,000 sq. meters, in Dimona Industrial Zone (premises currently inactive). Also operating from sewing plants overseas.

 

Having 114 employees (had 200 employees in the beginning of 2013).

In December 2012, following the closing of the plant in Dimona, its 40 employees were laid-off. That ended a continuous decrease in workforce in the plant (see more in CHARACTER).

 

 

MEANS

 

In May 2014, following the agreement of acquisition by GOLF & CO., CI published subject's financial data. CPAs noted that subject has suffered losses in the past years, and the continuation of activities is based on subject's ability to raise capital from parent company and banks. Subject's management estimates it will be able to obtain sufficient capital and meet its liabilities.

Consolidated B/S shows:

           

NIS (thousands)

                                                               31.12.2012     31.12.2013

ASSETS

Current assets

            Cash and cash equivalents                    2,031    1,548

            Customers                                            26,292  20,764

            Other debtors and current assets           1,549    1,612

            Stock                                                    25,929  20,778

                                                                        55,801  44,702

Assets for sale                                                    5,000    5,000

                                                                        60,801  49,702

 

Non-current assets

            Fixed assets (net)                                    5,335    5,569

                                                                        66,136  55,271

            ======            ======

 

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities                                                48,357  39,463

Non-current liabilities                                         856       673

Equity                                                               16,923  15,135

                                                                        66,136  55,271

            ======            ======

 

Main indicators from CLAL INDUSTRIES B/S to the 31.03.2014 (in brackets 31.12.2013):

Total B/S: NIS 10,648 million (NIS 10,202 million)

Equity: NIS 4,053 million (NIS 3,734 million).

 

One of subject's ways to cover expenses is leasing part of its plant's plot for a sister company.

 

Subject is an “Approved Enterprise” and as such enjoys tax benefits and State incentives (this status was while being a manufacturing company, but since subject closed its Israeli plant, it may have lost its favorable status).

 

There are 4 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company’s assets, in favor of the state of Israel, Bank Leumi Le'Israel Ltd. and The First International Bank of Israel Ltd. (last charge placed February 2011).

 

 

REVENUES

 

                                                Consolidated Statement of Income

                                                            NIS (thousands)

                                                            Year ended 31.12

                                                2011                 2012                 2013

Revenues                                  167,214 140,517 106,962

 

Gross profit                              40,245              39,802              47,802

 

Operating profit (loss)               (14,787)            (19,947)            (259)

 

Net profit (loss)                         (16,164)            (21,652)            (1,866)

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

KITAN EUROPE GmbH, 100%, marketing subject's products abroad.

 

KITAN CONSOLIDATED LTD., parent company, a holding company.

 

ACCESS INDUSTRIES, an international industrial group, with long-term strategic holdings in Europe, North and South America, in industries such as oil, coal, aluminum, petrochemicals and plastics, telecommunications, media, and real estate.

 

CLAL INDUSTRIES LTD., a holdings and investment company, with many holdings in various fields in the local industry and trade: textile, cement, hi-tech and electronics, bio-technology, communications, real estate and other industries. Other CI’s holding in the textile field:

GOLF & CO. GROUP LTD., 62%, a public limited company, shares traded on the TASE, importers, marketers and retailers of fashion (men’s, women’s and children wearing apparel and footwear) and Home Fashion (home textile products, home toiletries and spa, household products, etc.). Current market value US$ 147.3 million. Operating 288 retail branches (190 apparel and 98 home textile).

 

 

BANKERS

 

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

account No. 115100/68.

The First International Bank of Israel Ltd., Main Branch (No. 046), Tel Aviv,

account No. 433950.

 

A check with the Central Banks' database did not reveal any negative information regarding subject's a/m accounts.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Over the last years subject has been suffering from the competition with foreign textile manufacturers. Its flag plant in Dimona (the last manufacturing facility subject held in Israel, this is after in 2008 subject closed its local Nazareth sewing plant) dismissed most of its employees over the recent years, until finally closing it down in December 2012, shifting production to lower-wage workforce plants abroad. Manufacturing in Israel has been inflicting losses on subject, despite the cost saving measures taken and other initiatives.

Subject has been going through a re-organization in the recent years, shifting its main focus to retail. Subject is currently forming a retirement plan for dismissed employees. Subject also shifted its sewing plants from Arab countries – Egypt and Jordan, to other countries, due to the bad sentiments of the local population against Israel.

Parallel to shifting all of manufacturing abroad, subject has been increasing import, and opening its own retail chain stores (currently 25 stores). As part of the shift to focus on retail, subject ceased operating as manufacturer of private label for other clients. Subject also closed its "store in store" in HARRODS in England.

 

In May 2014 CI reported that sister company GOLF & CO. GROUP LTD. will acquire all of subject's shares for NIS 11 million, and in parallel, subject's subsidiary KITAN EUROPE will be sold to CLAL ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES (filly owned by CI), thus, subject will remain only with operations in Israel (in practice GOLF is acquiring the retail activities).

GOLF AND CO. is among the leading fashion chain stores in Israel.

 

CLAL INDUSTRIES is a veteran concern, with holdings in other local industries, leading in their fields, including cement (NESHER), bio-technology and healthcare (CLAL BIOTECHNOLOGIES), transportation & logistics (TAAVURA, MAMAN), beverages, shipbuilding, textile & fashion, energy and hi-tech.

Len Blavatnik is a Russian-American tycoon, who via ACCESS INDUSTRIES has many holdings in various industries (as well as via other companies). According to Forbes' The World's Billionaire's List of 2011, Blavatnik was listed in 80th place with an estimated fortune of US$10.1 billion.

 

In November 2007, subject and SHUFERSAL, Israel's largest supermarket chain, reported a cooperation, where SHUFERSAL will promote and sell subject's products exclusively in their chain. The deal volume estimated at NIS 4 million.

In the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 sales to SHUFERSAL were NIS 143 million, NIS 136 million and NIS 69 million respectively.

 

In May 2008 subject acquired FIBROTEX veteran activities (manufacturing, marketing and export) in the household textile, which is complementary to subject (hiring 40 of FIBROTEX employees).

 

In April 2009 it was reported that subject is launching a new home textile brand under the style "Kitan Home" as part of this strategy, in cooperation with HOMETEX. In September 2009 it was reported that subject invests NIS 5 million in 14 new "Kitan Home" stores in a concept of "store within store" within the HAMASHBIR 365, a leading local department stores chain.

 

In March 2011 it was reported that subject is opening 3 retail stores, investing NIS 1 million.

 

In September 2011 subject signed an agreement with SOLTAM-RADAD to sell its household products, as well as opening 2 new retail stores.

In early 2012 subject signed a deal to enter its brand "Esprit" to the Canadian retail chain store HUDSON BAY (some 100 stores), in volume of NIS 5 million annually.

Also in the beginning of 2012, subject franchised its "Royal Sateen" brand in the USA, receiving royalties.

 

In February 2012 it was reported that subject is opening 3 new shops with total investment of NIS 2 million, including a 100 sq. meters shop in Weizmann Center in Tel Aviv, a 200 sq. meters shop in Sirkin Mall, Petach Tikva, and a 120 sq. meters shop in MIXX Center, Hadera. To-date, further 3 new shops were opened in Karmiel, Ashkelon and another shop in Tel Aviv, reaching 21 stores.

 

In May 2012 subject reached a compromise regarding a class motion filed in May 2008 on environmental issues, in which subject will perform several actions to reduce its pollutants, as well as donate NIS 70,000 to the Ben Gurion University for environmental studies.

 

In October 2012 it was reported that a store was opened in Raanana with an investment of NIS 300,000, and 3 more stores are intended to be opened with a total investment of NIS 1.5 million.

 

According to a report from December 2012, OFFIS TEXTILE is contemplating to move its activities to subject's (now shut-down) plant in Dimona.

 

In February 2013 it was reported that CI sold half of the property in 57 Pinchas Rosen Street, Tel Aviv, where subject operates from, for NIS 80 million.

 

In May 2013 it was reported that subject will start marketing ARCOSTEEL home and kitchen products.

In January 2014 it was reported that subject received the local representation of ESPRIT (home textile) as well as in Europe Canada and Mexico.

 

From the CBS National Accounts for 2013, it turns that expenditure by local households on private consumption grew by 3.7% from 2012, after rising by 3.2% in 2012 and by 3.8% in 2011. Per-capita expenditure increased in 2013 by 1.8%.

Consumption expenditure by households on durable goods rose by 3.7% from 2012 (after remaining level in 2012 and rising 7.9% rise in 2011), although a breakdown shows that expenditure on furniture and jewelry rose by 3.5%, in contrast to a 0.9% decrease in electric appliances and other equipment.

 

Per capita expenditure for private consumption on durable goods rose in 2013 by 1.8% (after 1.7% decrease in 2012 and 5.9% rise in 2011). Breakdown reveals that expenditure on electrical domestic appliances fell by 2.7% per capita, while purchase of furniture and jewelry rose by 1.5% per capita.

 

According to CBS, import of consumer goods in 2013 marked a 2.2% increase continuing the rise of 1.9% in 2012 and 9.8% in 2011. Most of the rise was in durable goods (4.1%), which comprising some 40% of the import volume, while import in durable goods rose by mere 0.9% from 2012. Main rise derived from import of Household Utensils in 2013 which rose by 2.5% from 2012, summing up to NIS 2,546 million (in NIS terms, 9.5% in $ terms), after 1.7% in 2012.

 

The local household products market is considered highly competitive after reaching market saturation. It includes household textile, tableware and kitchenware and utensils, bath accessories and ornaments &decorative items, ceramic and glass ware, etc. According to estimations, the local household products market volume reaches NIS 2.5 – 3 billons annually (of which circa NIS 1 billion for “home textile”), and includes retail, wholesale, institutional markets (Retail chains capture 30% of the market share, specialization stores 20%, while the institutional and workers unions sector has 50% share).

 

SUMMARY

 

Following the acquisition by GOLF, considered good for trade engagements.

 

Note: 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.60.01

UK Pound

1

Rs.102.00

Euro

1

Rs.81.25

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Analysis Done by :

SUB

 

 

Report Prepared by :

NNA

 

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%)

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