MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report No. :

351706

Report Date :

01.12.2015

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

NETAFIM LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

10 Hashalom Rd., Tel Aviv 6789212

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

28.12.2005

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturers, marketers and exporters of irrigation systems and solutions, intended for open-field crops, landscape irrigation, greenhouse technology systems and turnkey greenhouse projects, wastewater management, and advanced crop management and monitoring systems.

Products include: filters, hoses, drippers, dripper lines, micro-sprinklers, valves, computer controlled irrigation systems.

 

 

No. of Employees :

4,200

 

 

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 31, 2015

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.12.2014)

Current Rating

(31.03.2015)

Israel

B1

B1

 

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. 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 2013, 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. Israel's economy also has weathered the Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East have insulated the economy from spillover effects. Slowing demand domestically and internationally and reduced investment due to uncertainties caused by the Gaza conflict in summer 2014 have reduced GDP growth to about 2% during 2014. 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 expected to come online no sooner than 2017, but production from Tamar provided a one percentage point boost to Israel's GDP in 2013 and a 0.5% boost 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 and has started splitting up the oligopolies to address some of the grievances but has maintained that it will not engage in deficit spending to satisfy populist demands. 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 & address

                                                                                                  

NETAFIM LTD.

 

Telephone    972 8 647 47 47; 647 47 00

Fax              972 8 647 39 83; 691 19 73

Email:          pstmaster@netafim.com

10 Hashalom Rd.

Tel Aviv 6789212 Israel

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

Originally established in 1998 as an agricultural cooperative society (ACS) and registered as such as per file No. 57-003539-4, under the name NETAFIM COOPERATIVE SOCIETY FOR DRIP IRRIGATION LTD. (NETAFIM ACS LTD.).

The ACS, which began operation on the 01.01.1999, was incorporated in order to take over all the activities of 3 “NETAFIM” plants:

1.   NETAFIM IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT AND DRIP SYSTEMS IN KIBBUTZ HATZERIM (1973), a limited partnership, established in 1973.

2.   NETAFIM MAGAL, a limited partnership, established in 1974.

3.   NETAFIM YIFTACH - IRRIGATION AND DRIP PRODUCTS (1978), a limited partnership, established in 1978.

 

Converted into a private limited company, registered as such as per file  No. 51-376909-1 on 28.12.2005 (assuming all business activities of the ACS).

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital 0.00 (no face value), divided into:-

            10 convertible type A shares (issued),

            10 redeemable B shares,

            510,921 type C shares (474,719 shares issued),

            99,489,059 ordinary shares (15,388,125 shares issued),

            all of 0.00 each (no face value),

of which 15,862,854 shares were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

1.    BLUEDRIP Sarl. (registered in Luxembourg), 61.1% of ordinary shares and all convertible type A shares issued, part of the German international investment fund PERMIRA (headquartered in London, U.K.),

2.    NETAFIM HATZERIM HOLDINGS (A.C.S.) LTD., 32.9% of ordinary shares, fully owned by Kibbutz Hatzerim, a cooperative society, operating an agricultural communal settlement,

 

3.    MAGALRON COOPERATIVE SOCIETY FOR IRRIGATION & DRIPPING LTD., 6% ordinary shares, fully owned by Kibbutz Magal, a cooperative society, operating an agricultural communal settlement (part of the shares are held in trust by BANK LEUMI LISRAEL TRUSTEE COMPANY LTD.).

4.    TAMIR FISHMAN, all type C shares, a trustee company.

 

In 2006 local investment funds MARKSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS and TENE FUND acquired 20% in subject, for a sum of US$ 40 million from the 3 founders, Kibbutz Hatzerim, Kibbutz Magal and Kibbutz Yiftach. Later MARKSTONE and TENE Funds realized an option and increase their holdings to some 31%.

 

In September 2011, after long negotiations, international investment fund PERMIRA acquired 55% of subject (some 20% from MARKSTONE, 10% from TENE, some 17% from Kibbutz Magal and 8% from Kibbutz Yiftach). In November 2011 PERMIRA purchased further 6.5% from Kibbutz Hatzerim. In total, PERMIRA paid US$ 510 million for subject's shares (US$ 360 million in cash plus US$ 150 million in promissory notes, i.e. a loan from the sellers). Additional US$ 75 million were to be paid based on 2012 results (has been delayed since subject did not meet these results in 2012).

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

1.     Jose G R Barella, Chairman,

2.     Dr. Jorg Rockenhauser,

3.     Michail Zekkos,

4.     Torsten Vogt,

5.     Klaus Edelmann, latter 5 are foreign nationals, of PREMIRA,

6.     Ms. Einat Rot,

7.     Eli Ben Simon,

8.     Gilad Winkler,

9.     Yosef Lavi.

 

 

GENERAL MANAGER

 

Ran Meidan.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Manufacturers, marketers and exporters of irrigation systems and solutions, intended for open-field crops, landscape irrigation, greenhouse technology systems and turnkey greenhouse projects, wastewater management, and advanced crop management and monitoring systems.

Products include: filters, hoses, drippers, dripper lines, micro-sprinklers, valves, computer controlled irrigation systems.

 

95% of sales are for export, to some 110 countries worldwide.

 

Amongst local clients: AMIR MARKETING & INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE, HAMASHBIR FOR AGRICULTURE, shopping organizations, etc.

 

Main suppliers: Valves: DOROT VALVES, BERMAD; Filters: ARKAL, AMIAD.

Among other local suppliers: INTERDAN, ASHALIM AGENCIES, DGS LASER SAFETY, POLYRAM RAM ON INDS., PLASSIM FITTINGS, KRAUSZ INDUSTRIES, I.P.E INTL., NAYER (2002), BERMAD, SASSON METALS, J.D POLYMERS, RIMONI PLAST, SU-PAD, TOP SOLUTIONS, SORPOL, MAPAL, MEISAV LACOL, SYSTEMATITECH, SHOSHANI & WEINSTEIN, CARASSO.

 

Operating from main rented offices, on an area of 1,200 sq. meters, in 10 Hashalom Rd. (Derech Hashalom in Hebrew), Tel Aviv, from further 3 plants in Israel (in Kibbutz Hatzerim, Kibbutz Magal, and in Kibbutz Yiftach) and 13 plants overseas (including USA, Australia, Brazil, Chile, India, South Africa, Holland, Peru, Spain, Turkey). Also operating from subsidiaries offices abroad and worldwide representatives' offices in over 110 countries.

 

Having 4,200 employees serving the whole NETAFIM Group, of which 1,100 employees in Israel.

 

 

MEANS

 

Subject's shares acquired by PERMIRA Fund were based on a company value of US$ 850 million for subject, though also taking also subject's debt of US$ 150 million (mainly due to the Dutch company REVAHO acquisition in 2008), which means actual company value of US$ 1 billion. Reportedly as part of the transaction, Bank Hapoalim led the financing of the deal, providing subject re-finance for current operations in volume of US$ 400 million.

 

Reportedly, MARKSTONE and TENE funds which acquired subject in 2006 (based on company value of US$ 200 million) fueled US$ 70 million into subject.

 

Equity as of 2010 reported to be US$ 80 million, cash – US$ 40 million.

Subject’s total debt as of 2011 - US$ 120 million (was US$ 350 million in 2008).

Stock was valued at US$ 100 million in mid 2009.

 

In March 2015 subject signed a financing agreement with several banks and financial institutes, led by BANK HAPOALIM, in volume of US$ 500 million (of which long time loan of US$ 150 million and a credit line of US$ 350 million) for the next 5 years.

 

In 2012, reportedly, subject invested US$ 40 million in fixed assets, US$ 25 million in acquisition and establishment of new companies, and US$ 3 million in a new company in India for customers' finance.

 

Subject is an “Approved Enterprise” and as such enjoys tax benefits and State incentives. In 1996/7 the Israeli Investment Center (IIC) approved an investment palns of over US$10 million for the plants expansion and in 2001 another US$ 27 million investment plan (expansion of the Hatzerim plant) approved.

 

According to a report from June 2013, subject invested US$ 10 million in 2013 in new plants in Valencia –Spain, in Brazil and in Peru.

 

In October 2014 it was reported that subject is contemplating to recycle of its debts in volume of US$ 230 million, issuing bonds in volume of up to US$ 250 million and a credit line of US$ 150 million. Subject received (A-) rating for the bond issuing and a general rating of (BB-). According to the report subject will have liquid assets in volume of US$ 510 million by the end of 2015.

In December 2014 it was reported that the recycling will be done with the local BANK HAPOALIM, MIZRAHI TEFAHOT BANK and HSBC BANK (and not with J P MORGAN), which will be in volume of NIS 1.2 billion + additional credit line of NIS 1 billion.

 

There are 13 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company assets, in favor of Bank Hapoalim Ltd. and IBM ISRAEL LTD. (last 3 charges placed March 2015 in favor of Bank Hapoalim, prior charges placed 2004-2005 on equipment in favor of IBM).

 

 

REVENUES

 

2010 sales claimed to be over US$ 600 million, of which over 90% were for export, with EBITDA of US$ 85 million and estimated net profit US$ 15 million.

2011 sales were US$ 809 million, with EBITDA of US$ 115 million.

2012 sales were US$ 750 million (95% for export), with gross profit reported to be 32% of sales.

2013 sales were US$ 750 million, 95% were for export.

2014 sales were US$ 750 million. According to reports from October 2014, estimated 2014 EBITDA is US$ 80-US$ 90 million.

2015 sales expected to exceed US$ 800 million, 95% for export.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

Subject also owns over 27 subsidiaries around the world, among them:

REVAHO B.V., 75%, of the Netherlands.

NETAFIM IRRIGATION INC., USA

NETAFIM COOPERATIE U.A, the Netherlands

NETASHA GROUP B.V., the Netherlands

NETAFIM BRASIL SISTEMAS E EQUIP DE IRRIGAÇÃO LTDA, Brazil

NETAFIM SULAMA SISTEMLERI SANAYI VE TICATET LTD, Turkey

NETAFIM DRIP MANUFACTURERS, South Africa

NETAFIM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD., Australia

NETAFIM THAILAND CO. LTD., Thailand

NETAFIM IRRIGATION INDIA Pvt. LTD., India

NETAFIM CHILE LTDA, Chile

NETAFIM PERU S.A.C., Peru

NETAFIM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH, Germany

NETAFIM KOREA LTD., Korea

NETAFIM IRYGACJA SP. ZO.O., Poland

NETAFIM CZECH s.r.o., Czech Republic

NETAFIM MEXICO S.A. de C.V., Mexico

NETAFIM SLOVAKIA, S.R.O., Slovakia

NETAFIM CENTRAL EUROPE (1994) LTD.

 


BANKERS

 

Bank Hapoalim Ltd., Business Center Branch (No. 600), Tel Aviv – main account.

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

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

Union Bank of Israel Ltd., Tel Aviv Main Branch (No. 063), Tel Aviv.

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

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned.

 

Subject is the global pioneer in the drip irrigation field and considered the largest company in the world in this area with estimated 35% market share (although drip irrigation captures mere 5% of the whole global irrigation market). It is one of the largest exporters in Israel, the largest one of the Kibbutz movement. Subject is the only Israeli company to be part of the UN Water Mandate Organization.

Israeli companies are considered pioneers and world leaders, including subject, NAANDAN JAIN and JOHN DEERE WATER (formerly PLASTRO).

 

Subject is ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001 and ISO 18001:2007 certified.

 

The new investor in subject, German PERMIRA Fund, established in 1985 and headquartered in London, U.K, is a global investment fund, with € 25 billion under management, with a portfolio of some 200 companies, in the industry, retail, communication and health service sectors.

According to the deal subject will remain in Israel under Israeli management.

Reportedly, PERMIRA plans an IPO for subject.

 

Kibbutz Hatzerim (established 1946, some 450 members) and Kibbutz Magal (established 1953, 240 members), both are cooperative societies, each also cultivates large area of agricultural lands, including fruit plantations, operating dairy farming, poultry, etc. Both Kibbutz's have other smaller ventures.

 

In April 2007, it was reported that subject is participating in agricultural research projects in Poland, funded by the European Commission in volume of €3 million.

 

In October 2007, it was reported that RIMONI PLAST will supply subject plastic injected products in value of US$ 7 million in 2 years.

 

In early 2008 subject completed the acquisition of control (75%) in Dutch REVAHO, considered among the largest in the world in manufacturing and marketing greenhouses, and also distributors of irrigation equipment (with 2007 turnover US$ 100 million) and 120 employees in their plants in Holland and Romania. REVAHO was thus far subject's sole representative in Holland and the U.K. The deal was estimated at US$ 70 million for the 75% stake. In 2011 REVAHO won a large project in Russia in volume of tens US$ million.

 

The global economic crisis in late 2008 – 2009 adversely affected subject, as it did for the branch. Subject took efficiency steps, workers were dismissed, and new investments in expansion were halted. Apparently, coupled with the recovery in the relevant global markets, the re-organization proved successful. Subject was also awarded Cleantech Exporter for 2011 by the Ministry of Economy. In 2011-2 subject returned to new investment and penetration to new markets, notably Chinese market.

 

In February 2008, as part of its focus in the Indian market, where it estimates it has a 20% market share in its field (being 2nd largest) subject reported it launched a global planning center in India, and completing the construction of a 2nd plant in India (having 500 employees employed in the plant in North India).

 

In July 2008, subject announced the acquisition of EDEN IRRIGATION of France, established in 1989 and supplies DIY irrigation products. The company's 2007 sales reported to be € 7 million.

 

In March 2009 subject reported on a huge contract in Brazil for supply of its irrigation systems in value of US$ 150 million; Also in March subject won a tender in Peru to supply irrigation systems in value of US$ 22 million.

 

In June 2012 it was reported that subject, as part of a global agreement by 45 multinationals' commitment for non-profit activities, will assist 50,000 farmers in India to shift to advanced irrigation techniques, and will assist the Brazilian Government to implement irrigation systems in remote rural areas.

 

In July 2013 it was reported that subject opened a plant in Valencia, Spain, following the expansion of activities in Spain, Portugal and Africa. 2 other plants in Brazil and Peru were opened in 2013.

 

In August 2014 it was reported that subject in advanced stages for a deal to supply Ethiopian governmental company with irrigation equipment in volume of some US$ 200 million. According to the report, financing (for the Ethiopian company) will be via an Israeli financial consortium headed by Bank Hapoalim.

 

In January 2015 it was reported that subject will participate in India's largest irrigation project to supply water to some 6,700 small farmers. Project is in volume of US$ 120 million, of which subject's part is US$ 60 million.

In May 2015 it was reported that subject signed a NIS 50 million deal with CSS (a sugar cane company) of Senegal.

 

In July 2015 subject reported it signed a deal with VINGROUP of Vietnam in volume of NIS 65 million, to supply irrigation equipment, as well as construct and manage a greenhouse project in Vietnam.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Good for trade engagements.

Maximum unsecured credit recommended several US$ millions.

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.66.81

UK Pound

1

Rs.100.36

Euro

1

Rs.70.68

ILS

1

Rs.17.18

 

Note : Above are approximate rates obtained from sources believed to be correct

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Analysis Done by :

KIN

 

 

Report Prepared by :

TPT

 


               

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.