MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report No. :

330397

Report Date :

13.07.2015

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

BROWNS THE DIAMOND STORE (PTY) LTD

 

 

Registered Office :

105 Conrad Drive, Blairgowrie, Randburg, Gauteng

 

 

Country :

South Africa

 

 

Year of Establishment:

2003

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

2013/073395/07

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Subject is manufacturers and general trading of all aspects of jewellery

 

 

No. of Employee :

310+

 

 

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 :

Unknown

 

 

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)

South Africa

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 


 

SOUTH AFRICA ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors, and a stock exchange that is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world. Even though the country's modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth. Economic growth has decelerated in recent years, slowing to just 1.5% in 2014. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality - among the highest in the world - remain a challenge. Official unemployment is roughly 25% of the work force, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Eskom, the state-run power company, is building three new power stations and is installing new power demand management programs to improve power grid reliability. Load shedding and resulting rolling blackouts gripped many parts of South Africa in late 2014 and early 2015 because of electricity supply constraints that resulted from technical problems at some generation units, unavoidable planned maintenance, and an accident at a power station in Mpumalanga province. The rolling black outs were the worst the country faced since 2008. Construction delays at two additional plants, however, mean South Africa will continue to operate on a razor thin margin; economists judge that growth cannot exceed 3% until electrical supply problems are resolved. South Africa's economic policy has focused on controlling inflation, however, the country faces structural constraints that also limit economic growth, such as skills shortages, declining global competitiveness and frequent work stoppages due to strike action. The current government faces growing pressure from urban constituencies to improve the delivery of basic services to low-income areas and to increase job 

 

Source : CIA

 

 

COMPANY NAME

 

BROWNS THE DIAMOND STORE (PTY) LTD

 

Formerly: CHAR-TRADE 255 CC, the name having been changed on 30 May 2003.

 

 

ADDRESS

 

105 Conrad Drive

BLAIRGOWRIE

Randburg

Gauteng

 

 

POSTAL ADDRESS

 

P O Box 782992

SANDTON

2146

 

 

TELEPHONE NUMBER

 

+27 11 438 7920

 

 

FAX NUMBER

 

+27 11 250 2001

 

The subject moved from 229 Oxford Road, Dunkeld, Johannesburg in 2011

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

60% L A BROWN                                              ID No. 6411065012083

40% G W BROWN (Brother)                               ID No. 6811215022082

 

 

 

ASSOCIATE COMPANIES

 

Details not provided.

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

L A BROWN                              ID No.   6411065012083

B L BROWN                              ID No.   7408080009085

L S M MAMABOLO                   ID No.   8605085609087

 

 

BANKERS

 

NEDBANK CENTRAL BUSINESS, Johannesburg Branch. Account number: 1284085775.  It was stated that the subject does enjoy overdraft facilities, the extent of which was not known to the respondents at the company. It was stated that monies are transferred from their call account to the business account as and when needed.  Utilisation of the overdraft is occasional.

 

 

DATE REGISTERED

 

29 April 2013

Registration Certificate Number 2013/073395/07

 

BROWNS THE DIAMOND STRORE (Registration Certificate Number 2002/080356/23) was established in 2003 utilising a shelf company styled CHAR-TRADE 255 CC for registration purposes. In May 2003 the name was changed to the current name. In April 2013 the subject converted to a Private Company.

 

The Browns legacy dates back to 1934 when it was started by Jack Brown the late grandfather or L A BROWN and G W BROWN. The two brother joined the family business in the 1990’s. Further details regarding the entity type prior to 2003 were unconfirmed. The current directors took over the company in 2003.

 

It was stated that the directors were previously involved in another company, HYPERGOLD JEWELLERS (PTY) LTD (Registration Certificate Number 1997/015117/07).

 

 

VAT NUMBER

 

4820207076

 

TAX NUMBER

 

9039824157

 

 

BBBEE

 

Non-compliant

 

 

MAJOR OPERATION

 

Manufacturers and general trading of all aspects of jewellery.

 

 

MAJOR SUPPLIERS

 

The subject is reported to import worldwide and deals locally with:

 

Previously, we have divulged the names of the major suppliers in our reports. We have discontinued this practice to protect our valuable sources of trade information.  This has become necessary because we now give a description of the goods or services to which the trade references relate.  This gives our client the ability to assess whether  the purchases are vital to the subject’s operation and whether we have only been given their essential suppliers that must be paid promptly for the subject to maintain its operation.

 

 

MAJOR CUSTOMERS OR BUSINESS SECTORS:

 

General public

 

 

AREA OF DISTRIBUTION AND SELLING

 

South Africa

 

 

EXPORTS

 

None

 

TOTAL EMPLOYEES

 

310+

           

 

OTHER PREMISES

 

The subject is reported to have 33 branches countrywide.

 

 

OWNED OR LEASED

 

 

The head office premises are reported to be owned by the associate property company and the premises 229 Oxford Road, Dunkeld, Johannesburg is also owned by the property owning company valued in the region of R3 700 000 bonded for a small amount.

 

 

MEMBERS CONTRIBUTION

 

R100

 

 

FINANCIALS

 

The following estimated financial situation was submitted as at 10 July 2015:

 

STOCK                                                                                                  R   10 000 000+

DEBTORS                                                                                              R   15 000 000+

CREDITORS                                                                                           R    5 000 000+

LOANS                                                                                                                  None

TURNOVER per annum                                                                            R200 000 000+

 

 

AUDITORS

 

R W F C FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS INC, Houghton (+27 11 483 3333)

 

 

YEAR END

 

FEBRUARY

 

 

INSURANCE BROKERS

 

SANTAM

 

 

TRADE REFERENCES – AUGUST 2006

 

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS    PAYMENT    EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    4 years         R150 000       R150 000        30 days    30 days        Good

 

2.    1 year           R  10 000       R    5 000-       30 days    45 days        Slow

                                               R   8 000

 

3.    2 years         R  30 000       R  15 000        30 days    30 days        Good

 

 

TRADE REFERENCES – DECEMBER 2006

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS     PAYMENT    EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    8 years         R  30 000       R   5 000         60 days    60 days        Very good

 

2.    2 years         R  30 000       R 10 000         30 days    60 days        Slow

 

3.    4 years         R  80 000       R 20 000         30 days    30 days        Good

 

4.    3 years         R500 000       R300 000        30 days    30 days        Good       

 

 


TRADE REFERENCES – NOVEMBER 2007

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS     PAYMENT    EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    Old acc        open acc       R  90 000        30 days    30 days        Very good

 

2.    3 years         open acc       R  25 000        30 days    30 days        Very good

 

3.    6 years         open acc       R100 000        30 days    30 days        Very good

 

 

TRADE REFERENCES – AUGUST 2008

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS     PAYMENT    EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    Old acc        R300 000       R200 000-       30 days    30 days        Very Good

                                               R300 000

 

2.    Old acc        R      300       R       300       30 days    30 days        Good

 

3.    6 years         R 25 000        R   25 000       30 days    30 days        Good

                                                                    EFT

 

 

TRADE REFERENCES – DECEMBER 2008

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS     PAYMENT    EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    10 years       R200 000       R100 000        30 days    30 days        Excellent

 

2.    Do not give trade references.

 

2.    Few years     R  50 000       R  30 000-       30 days    30 days        Excellent

                                               R  50 000

 

TRADE REFERENCES – JUNE 2009

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS    PAYMENT    EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    15 years       ±R200 000     ±R50 000        30 days    30 days        Very Good

 

2.    Purchases very sporadic.

 

3.     Haven’t traded in the last year.

 

4.     Do not give trade references.

 

5.     11 years       ±R50 000         R20 000-       30 days    30 days        Very Good

                                                             R30 000

 

 

TRADE REFERENCES – OCTOBER 2009

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS    PAYMENT    EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    10 years+     open acc       ±R10 000-       30 days    30 days        Very Good

                                               R  50 000

2.    Do not trade

 

3.     Do not give trade references.

 

4.     5 years+       open acc       R500 000-       30 days    30 days        Very Good

                                                           R600 000

 

5.     6 months      declined        declined          30 days    30 days        Average

 

 

TRADE REFERENCES – APRIL 2010

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS    PAYMENT    EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    Old              declined        declined          30 days    30 days        Very Good

 

2.    5 years         open             declined          30 days    30 days        Good

 

3.    2 years         declined        declined          30 days    30 days        Excellent

 

 


TRADE REFERENCES – DECEMBER 2012

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS       PAYMENT   EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                             PATTERN

 

1.    Do not give trade references

 

2.    +10 Years     Open             R10 000          30 days       30 days       Good

 

3.    +8 Years      Open             Declined         30 days       30 days       Very good

 

4.    5 Years        Open             Declined         30 days       30 days       Excellent

 

5.    Have not dealt with them for over a year

 

 

CURRENT TRADE REFERENCES

 

      ACCOUNT    HIGHEST      AVERAGE      TERMS     PAYMENT   EXPERIENCE

      OPENED      CREDIT         CREDIT                          PATTERN

 

1.    2001             Declined        R180 000        30 days     30 days       Very Good

 

2.    Old acc        Declined        Declined         30 days     30 days       Good

 

3.    Do not give trade references

 

 

NATURE OF GOODS OR SERVICES SUPPLIED

 

(These descriptions relate respectively by number to the above current trade transactions):

 

1.    Courier

 

2.    Jewellery

 

 

COMMENTS

 

This is an established business which is meeting its commitments timeously.  No adverse information has been reported. The subject is considered equal to a maximum figure of £144 000 over 30 days.

 

 


DIAMOND INDUSTRY – INDIA

 

-            From time immemorial, India is well known in the world as the birthplace for diamonds.  It is difficult to trace the origin of diamonds but history says that in the remote past, diamonds were mined only in India. Diamond production in India can be traced back to almost 8th Century B.C.  India, in fact, remained undisputed leader till 18th Century when Brazilian fields were discovered in 1725 followed by emergence of S. Africa, Russia and Australia.

-            The achievement of the Indian diamond industry was possible only due to combination of the manufacturing skills of the Indian workforce and the untiring and unflagging efforts of the Indian diamantaires, supported by progressive Government policies.

-            The area of study of family owned diamond businesses derives its importance from the huge conglomerate of family run organizations which operate in the diamond industry since many generations.

-            Some of the basic traits of family run business enterprises include spirit of entrepreneurship, mutual trust lowers transaction costs, small, nimble and quick to react, information as a source of advantage and philanthropy.

-            Family owned diamond businesses need to improve on many fronts including higher standard of corporate governance, long-term performance – focused strategies, modern management and technology.

-            Utmost caution is to be exercised while dealing with some medium and large diamond traders which are usually engaged in fictitious import – export, inter-company transactions, financially assisted by banks. In the process, several public sector banks lost several hundred million rupees. They mostly diverted borrowed money for diamond business into real estate and capital markets.

-            Excerpts from Times of India dated 30th October 2010 is as under –

 

-            Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council in its statistical data has shown the export of polished diamonds to have increase by 28 % in February 2013. Compared to $ 1.4 bn worth of polished diamond export in February, 2012, India exported $ 1.84 billion worth of polished diamonds in February 2013. A senior executive of GJEPC said, “Export of cut and polished diamonds started falling month-wise after the imposition of 2 % of import duty on the polished diamonds. But February, 2013 has given a new ray of hope to the industry as the export of polished diamonds has actually increased by 28 %. It means the industry  is on the track of recovery and round tripping of diamonds has stopped completely.” Demand has started coming from the US, the UK, Japan and China. India’s polished diamond export is expected to cross $ 21 bn in 2013-14.

 

-            The banking sector has started exercising restraint while following prudent risk management norms when lending money to gems and jewellery sector. This follows the implementation of Basel III accord – a global voluntary regulatory standard on bank capital adequacy, stress testing and market liquidity.

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.63.47

UK Pound

1

Rs.98.47

Euro

1

Rs.70.69

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Analysis Done by :

RAS

 

 

Report Prepared by :

ASH

 

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.