Multibase India Ltd

@MyCapitalNotes

Based on my research experience, nd m sure lot of other investors vl agree wid this. The co. has very limited disclosures in its available materials and its not easy to find the answers you are looking for. Unless you have sm specialised scuttlebutt resources at your disposal, I suggest that this investment is a pass if u r looking from a retail investor point of view and the scuttleutt resources availale to him\her.

Disc :- Not invested. Resarched and passed it precisely for less info available and difficulty of obtaining it.

3 Likes

Interesting developement here.

  1. Results : Improved YOY basis. No growth in topline though.

Other expenses have reduced significantly.
1.4 Cr vs 2.17 Cr. Last year. / Q4 was 1.64 Cr.

  1. Their Auditers resigned by stating that “Company is adopting cost reduction measures and will not be able to pay the fees as proposed by us”

Auditer charges for FY 22 was 16.5 lakh, FY 21 was 15 lakh ( as per AR ). So probably auditers were expecting about 18/18.5 lakh ( at 10% increase ). Company denied and changed auditers. ( intention to reduce in other expense is visible here as well. )

So it looks like that company is seriously looking to improve bottomline. However, One needs to observe as to if / how they can improve topline as well going forward.

Disc: I have small position at lower price from current levels.

Sharing notes from the AGM

Industries served

  • End industry split: Automotive safety air bag (38%), automotive non-safety (15%), silica master batch (32%), consumer industrial segment (remaining)

  • Provide chemical for air bag rubbers

  • Silica master batch – gives scratch resistance property

One of the key raw material is butadiene polymers

Capacity utilization and history

  • Currently operating at <50% utilization. Focus in not on volume growth, focus is improving bottom line and gross margin

  • Replacement cost of current capacity is not very high, key strength is technology

  • Had to stop anti foam product business in 2019 due to global of Dow and Dupont. This product was given to Dow. It used to contribute 40% to sales at 40-45% EBITDA margins. This product line is no longer in any Dupont portfolio

Cash usage

  • 5-6% on fixed deposits, no answer given to give back excess cash

  • Have a global treasury policy, cannot invest in debt or liquid mutual funds

What is the vision for next 3-5 years?

  • Over next 5-years, hope to drive export growth from Daman plant

  • Expand silicon based products, exports from Daman, qualify new products

  • Target 16-18% margins in FY24 and 8-10% organic growth

  • Longer term focus is towards growing Multibase’s business in India, move more safety based products to India

  • Want to improve supply and variable cost in Daman factory. Their current raw material supply base is largely in Europe which makes their Indian entity unviable. They are looking to establish more raw material supply base within India, and then expand business of Multibase as then it will be of higher strategic importance to Dupont

Related party

  • Other 2 Indian Dupont entities: Electronics & water protection business. Product mix is completely different

Customer concentration

  • Distributors handle end market, that’s why top customer contribution looks high

Miscellaneous

  • Trading sale margins were adjusted in Q4FY23 which resulted in higher margins. Will keep fixed margins for traded products
5 Likes