Sunflag Iron & Steel

Stock Opportunities
41

Recent write up at the following blog
https://dolly-bestpicks.blogspot.com/2019/04/sunflag-iron-and-steel-company-ltd.html

Caution :

  • Please view these in the lite of your own research as certain people have their hidden agenda embedded in their research
  • metal stock are cyclic in nature and commodity type business .In commodity type business only company with large scale of operation with backward integration with superior products can create wealth
  • Some time waiting period if not purchased with margin of safety can prolonged even in best companies

Disc : Not invested This is not any stock recommendation to buy or sell Please investigate properly. I am not any Sebi approved analyst .

1 Like
42

@yourraj That blog is not written by Rajivji. It is an unknown author claiming to be the famous investor. I think that should be included in the your disclosure as well :slight_smile:

2 Likes
43

The company is available so cheap at 5 P/E which feels too good to be real. I am aware that it is a commodity company with high exposure to autos (~80%) but they are diversifying into various other sectors. Is it a value buy or value trap?

2 Likes
44

From AR

OPPORTUNITIES
Sunflag Iron is venturing into manufacturing of Super Alloy, which is alloy for high performance application which involves high load [stress] at high temperature [above 540 degree]; resistance to operation at high temperature; and resistance toenvironment attack at high temperature. This is used in Aircraft Parts, Armaments, Submarine Parts, Space Vehicle and RocketEngines, Nuclear Reactor, Super-critical Power Plants, Industrial and Vehicle Gas Turbines, Petro-Chemical Plants and other HighTemp and Corrosive Applications.

Defence Minister said the government of India is planning to ban the imports of 101 items of military equipment in an effort to boost local production and improve self-reliance in weapons manufacturing.
The government is planning to progressively implement the embargo on select military imports between 2020 to 2024.

The military equipment includes some high technology weapon systems and range from assault rifles and artillery to transport aircraft and light combat helicopters. The aim is to apprise the Indian defence industry about the anticipated requirements of the Armed Forces so that they are better prepared to realise the goal of indigenisation. This is a big step towards self-reliance indefence.

Since as of date most of the raw material being imported and sooner or later, this facility will help us to sustain the changed market scenario,Sunflag is seeing the opportunities to meet:

  • the growing demand of our population and protect our border, growth NOF technology is inevitable.
  • the growth of technology in relevant sectors like defence, armament, aerospace, marine, nuclear, thermal, petrochemical & transport etc.
  • to attain high level of technical perfection in these sectors.
5 Likes
45

As per latest Annual Report

FUTURE PLAN :
i) Installation of Super Alloy Steel making:
a) ESR-II (1.8 T Capacity) - Installed and under trail
ESR-I (22 T Capacity) - Installed and under trail production.
b) 6.5 T VIM is under commissioning.
c) 18T VAR order placed and expected at site by June, 2022.
ii) Other ongoing projects:
a) Downstream of Blooming Mill.
b) Installation of Ingot Annealing Mill
c) Installation of new Pickling Plant & IVD
d) Installation of Coil Spherodizing Furnace with new shed
e) Installation of LRF-3 and 4th Strand in CCM-1
f) Installation of Iron Ore Crusher Plant
g) Installation of Abrasive Saw Machine in BSM
h) Installation of Shot Blasting Machines for Rebar and Coils
i) Installation of Forging Plant
j) Installation of Quenching pipe for TMT rolling in BSM

OPPORTUNITIES
Sunflag has commissioned its Super Alloy Steel manufacturing facility during the year under review and now shall be able to
cater to requirements related to Aircraft Parts, Armaments, Submarine Parts, Space Vehicle and Rocket Engines, Nuclear Reactor, Super-critical Power Plants, Industrial and Vehicle Gas Turbines, Petro-Chemical Plants and other High Temp and Corrosive Applications. This will enable the Company to reduce its dependency on automotive and auto ancillary industries and create opportunity for expansion and foray in new markets.

Besides this, the Government has recently announced Production Linked incentive scheme (PLI) for manufacturers of special alloy
steel which is an import substitute. This is expected to boost steel consumption.
Sunflag is already manufacturing certain grade of steel which are covered under the said scheme and would explore the
opportunity to avail benefit under PLI scheme.
Government has announced an investment of over 1 trillion in infrastructure over the next 5 years. This would be a key growth driver not only for steel industry but will also be a multiplier of growth across the sectors, boosting steel demand from sectors such as transportation, real estate and infrastructure.

SUSTAINABILITY
Sunflag is committed to maintain its quality and has received appreciations and awards from various sources. With the
continuous efforts on making clean steel, now Company is focusing on expanding its market share in other segments viz. railways and
defence etc. This will protect the Company from dependency on Automobile sector.
exploring better opportunities in the years to come due to continuous developments of new grades of high alloy steel
as well as wire rod. Further, venturing into the self-dependency of raw materials will help in reduction in the cost of production and
enhancing the profitability. This has even proved advantageous during the recessionary period which is a very good sign for the
Company.
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT
During the year under review, could see some material change in the top line and in profitability. Indian Steel industry has been driven by availability of raw material viz. iron ore, coal etc. and cost of labour. Consequently, the Financial Year under review
remained volatile during the year. Further, your Company with continuous development of new grades of steel and upgradation of plant and equipment, could maintain its presence in the market particularly in automobile industry. As a result, there was an increase in the sales and profit before tax. EBIDTAas a percentage to total income for the year was 13.53% as against 10.27% for the previous year.
In order to achieve effective cost reduction and improvement in productivity, activity of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) continued to be implemented by the Company during the Financial Year 2020-21 under review.

List up to 3 of your products or services whose design has incorporated social or environmental concerns, risks and/or
opportunities.

a) Stainless Steels : Stainless Steels are 100% recyclable, environment friendly and with long life. Stainless Steel Rebars
were developed to achieve long life.
b) Steel for Turbine Blades : Turbine Blade steel is used in manufacture of steam turbines for Power Plants.
c) Steel for Defence : Sunflag is one of the major manufacturers of Steel for Bombshells for Defence

Management discussion is poor in the Annual report,
However from the accounting perspective I had found the Balance sheet very much informative as you can get details of all schedules.

Disclosure : Invested recently at levels of 80

4 Likes
46

With the arbitration award in favor of Sunflag, the stock valuation has become very much attractive.

Extracts from AR of LLoyds Metal
"An Arbitration Award was passed by the Sole Arbitrator Mr. Justice A.R. Joshi (Retd.) Former Judge, Bombay High Court, under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 on 22nd April, 2022 in the matter of arbitration between Sunflag Iron & Steel Company Limited (“Sunflag”) and Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (“Company”). The matter in nutshell is that the Company and Sunflag from the year 2004 have been entering into various understandings
and contracts to have joint and equal control on the iron ore mine of the Company and sharing of the iron ore extracted in the ratio of 60% and 40% respectively in return Sunflag
assisting the Company with the required funding for capital and operational expenditure.
However, for reasons not attributable to both the parties the said arrangements could not take place and the mining operations could not be commenced. During this period Sunflag had advanced funds to the Company towards the operation and commencement of the mine. In the year 2016, the Company started mining operations with minimal production; however, the Company could not share the iron ore extracted with Sunflag for various reasons. The Company and Sunflag were engaged in discussions to resolve the issue amicably but the same could not be resolved. Sunflag then invoked the arbitration clause and initiated the
arbitration proceedings. The claim(s) made by Sunflag were as follows:

  1. Repayment of the amount paid by Sunflag along with the interest @4% + SBI PLR compounded annually amounting to Rs 312 crores;
  2. A demand of Rs 1,433 crores towards Sunflag’s right of 40% mineral extracted at cost over the life of entire mining lease period i.e., 40% of 75 million tonnes, i.e., 30 million tonnes with a margin of Rs 2000, per tonne amounting to Rs 6,000, crores and when discounted to the present value the same worked out to Rs 1,433 crores; and 3. 32% of the equity share of the Company considering the net worth attributable to the mine being 80% of net worth of the Company, and Sunflag having the right of 40 % of the mine. All the above claims of Sunflag were refuted by the Company and various counter claims were also made. After hearing
    the arguments of both the parties, the learned Arbitrator has passed an Arbitration Award dated 22nd April, 2022 and an Additional Arbitration Award dated 28th April, 2022. The gist of
    the Award is as follows:

The Company was liable to pay Rs 900 crores to Sunflag (i.e., Rs 312 crores on account of refund of advance along with accrued interest and the balance Rs 588 crores as full settlement of all other claims). Given the amount being large, the Company proposed
to settle the said liability, subject to the approval of the Shareholders and in accordance with applicable laws, by issuing six crores (6,00,00,000) 0% interest Optionally Fully
Convertible Debentures (“OFCD”) which will settle entire liability of the Company on the basis of proposed issue price of Rs 150/- (Rupees One Hundred and Fifty only). The OFCD would be converted not before 9 months but, not later than 18 months at a conversion ratio of 1:1. This proposal has also been agreed by Sunflag and they will be termed as the Non-Promoter of the Company. Further, the Company is liable to pay an interest at the rate of 9% p.a. on the face value of the OFCD’s if the Company fails to convert the OFCD’s and in the event the proposed allottee does not exercise the conversion right within the 18 months conversion period, then the OFCD’s will be redeemed by the Company within 48 months from the date of allotment and interest will accrue at 9% p.a. on the face value of OFCD’s from the expiry of the conversion period of 18 months until redemption of the OFCD’s.
The Company shall commence the process of the proposed issuance of OFCD’s and obtain necessary approvals and compliances with respect to the same."

Disclosure from levels of 80 since last more then 1 year and added more recently at around levels of 85.

The current Share Price of Llyod Metals is around Rs 229 and hence the investment value will be 1374 Cr as against present market cap of Rs 1900 Cr of Sunflag Iron.

2 Likes
47

The total value of compensation is 1194 crores. Shares are issued at Rs 199 each for 6 crores shares. Roughly around 15% of Lloyd metals mcap.

48

where did you got the figure of Rs 199 each for 6 Crore shares??

49

Exceptional income of sunflag for Q1FY23 and exceptional loss of Q1FY23. No of shares on conversion is 6 crores share. so price comes to Rs 199 per share.

50

Its 150 and not 199 as per notification submitted by the Company

51

.
The reason i said 199rs is because as per lloyds metals they issued 6 crores shares and booked exceptional loss of 1194 crores and sunflag booked 1194 crores exceptional income. So the math comes to Rs 199

52

Sunflag has converted their OCD to shares. They cant sell the same for another 3 months. Holds 12% post dilution of Lloyds metal

53

Very interesting . Mar-23 SHP is out.
Sunflag as expected have 11.69% of Lloyds metal share and it reflects in SHP.
But now Lloyds metals holds 1.69% stake in Sunflag as per sunflag’s SHP

54

Spoke to the IR dept at Sunflag. LM has acquired 1.69% from the open market. The IR has no idea why LM is doing this and they say that it is as per LM descretion.

55

Nice. Thats bad for LLoyd metals business considering they would do 4500 crores capex in 3 years.
Why would they acquire such a small stake from open market.?
.
Also would love to intereact with IR of sunflag. If you could share the details in dm for email id of IR

56
57

Lot of interesting points to study Sun flag:

  1. Won auction for Surajgad iron ore block
  2. Any positive direction from current mines where lease has lapsed and matter is sub-judice
  3. More approvals from various leading companies from defence, aerospace for super alloys
  4. More utilization of super alloys division will help to increase realisation per ton.
  5. Daido steel which holds 10% will help to expand reach of Sunflag to global market and increase focus on Super alloys
  6. Current value of the co’s stake in Llyod metals is nearly 3500 cr which is current mkt cap of the company
  7. Technically the stock consolidating in 190-200 range and sector also looks positive

I think company is at inflection point from 5-10 years perspective, however I would like to know analysis of other members whether to factor in some risks which could derail the growth.

Disc : Invested. This is not any stock recommendation to buy or sell. Please do you due diligence. I am not any Sebi approved analyst.

3 Likes
58

Interesting reading!

Disc: Invested

59

Some questions which I have for the management

  1. As the arbitration awards value (now shares of lloyds metals) has grown more than 3x, what does the management plans to do with this corpus?
  2. The Daido corporation (sunflag’s partner) uses Electric arc furnace to make steel, does Sunflag plans to expand or switch to electric arc furnace?
  3. How much % of portfolio is going to be Special alloy steel ?
2 Likes
60

I have studied VSSL (Competitor of Sunflag in specialty steel segment) and I have shared my work on the forum.

Sunflag iron lacks disclosures and I think this is the main reason for the stock to trade cheap (if you consider the market value of investments held by Sunflag). I wish to share my research on the Company so that the management can answer few questions about their business in future, conduct concalls and share presentations. Following is my research on Sunflag

About Sunflag Group:

  • 1930’s: The Group was founded by Satyadev Bhardwaj. He identified a need for quality garments and textiles in East Africa and established the first textile plant in Kenya to serve the local market.
  • 1950’s: The textile operation in Kenya became one of the leading companies in the country. Satyadev’s three sons; Bhushan, Vijay and Ravi started to take an active role in the business. The operations included knitting, dyeing and finishing, and garment making.
  • 1960’s: The Group embarked on its first expansion outside Kenya with investment in “Nigeria”. The potential was huge with a desperate need for quality garments and textiles for a rapidly expanding population.
  • 1970s: The founder handed over the running of the business to his sons. The Group expanded into Tanzania and embarked on an ambitious program of vertical integration adding spinning and weaving to all its operations. Professional management was brought in to run operations with the family concentrating on policy and strategy.
  • 1980’s: Despite political and financial difficulties in Africa the Group continued to expand its textile operations in Kenya, Tanzania, and "“Nigeria”. The Group diversified in India with an integrated steel plant, invested widely in property, and established a filament yarn-making plant in Thailand.
  • 1990s: The Group consolidated its worldwide operations and diversified into the healthcare and power generation industry. In India, the Group invested in a hospital a Medical Research Centre, and a power generation plant. Towards the end of the decade, the Group entered the North American market.
  • 2000s: The North American operations were expanded with additional manufacturing units. The African units were modernized and steel manufacturing started in “Nigeria”. The steel mill in India was expanded.
  • The future: The Group has a strong management team and continuity is assured. The Group plans aggressive expansion of its manufacturing operations in India, and investments in Eastern Europe and across South America.
  • Mr. Bhardwaj’s legacy is the transformation of the company he founded into a highly profitable and dynamic industrial global conglomerate.

Sunflag Iron And Steel Co Limited

  • Sunflag Iron and Steel Company Limited ( ) has set up a ‘state of the art’ Integrated Steel Plant at Warthi, Bhandara Road in the State of Maharashtra, to produce high quality Special Steels with an installed capacity of 6.68 Lakh MTPA for rolled products.
  • Product: Supplier in Flat Bars, Round Bars, Bright Bars, and Wire Rods of Alloy Steel, Spring Steel, Ball Bearing Steel, and Stainless Steel and captured a better position in these market segments.
  • Supplying to various customers in South East Asian, North American, and South American Countries, East African Countries, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, China, Turkey, South Korea, and Vietnam.
  • SISCL has been collaborating with Daido Steel Co. Ltd (Japan’s leading specialty steel producer), since November 2010 which also has an equity stake in SISCL to the tune of 10.00% as of September 30, 2023. The association with Daido helps SISCL in the improvement of production Processes and Product Quality, Development of New Grades, and Localization of Steel by the Automobile OEMs. SISCL has its manufacturing facility located at Warthi, Bhandara Road (Maharashtra)

Who is Daido? - Key steel producer in Japan, but uses Electric arc furnace for manufacturing as compared to Sunflag which uses Oxygen blast furnace. Also, I dont think Daido’s staff is actively involved in providing assistance to Sunflag that mean Daido’s staff is physically not present in Sunflag’s manufacturing unit to share technical know how. Its peer VSSL has an advantage in this aspect.

  • Daido Steel is one of Japan’s major specialty steel makers. Initially founded in 1916 as Electric Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd, the firm became Daido Steel in 1976 after a reorganisation and having merged with three companies. Currently, comprising of the parent company and 62 consolidated subsidiaries, Daido operates five businesses:
    • Specialty Steel,
    • High-Performance Materials and Magnetic Materials,
    • Parts for Automobiles and Industrial Equipment,
    • Engineering, and
    • Trading and Service.
  • According to the research conducted by the Japan Metal Daily on FY20 crude steel production volumes, Daido Steel was ranked 6th overall but was ranked 3rd among electric furnace steel makers
    • Bearing steel: FY20 domestic production volume fell 18.2% YoY to 703,000 tonnes due to a drop in demand from the automobile use and inventory adjustment
    • Tool Steel: FY20 domestic production volume fell 22.8% YoY to 161,000 tonnes. Steel bar and wire products combined occupy 50% of the market. The main user is the auto industry – steel sheets used as a raw material for auto components, and steel bars are used in die casting, jigs, and tools
    • Structural Alloy Steel (or mechanical constructure steel): Structure steel is also mainly used by the auto industry. FY20 domestic production volume was approx. 3.0mil tonnes (-19.8% YoY).
    • Spring Steel: The total production volume in FY20 was 309,000 tonnes (-16.6% YoY).

Settlement through arbitral tribunal – Investment holdings of 6 crore shares (CMP 690) – 900 crores of settlement awarded amount has grown to 4x (> 4000cr). This can be counted as Pure Cash as the company can monetise the same when ever they wish to. To put it in a context this amount is significantly more than required to finance a 5 million ton of greenfield capex under Electric Arc furnace method.
Details are as follows:

  • 22nd April 2022 in the matter of arbitration between Sunflag Iron & Steel Company Limited (“Sunflag”) and Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (“Company”). The matter in a nutshell is that the Company and Sunflag from the year 2004 have been entering into various understandings and contracts to have joint and equal control on the iron ore mine of the Company and sharing of the iron ore extracted in the ratio of 60% and 40% respectively. However, for reasons not attributable to both parties the said arrangements could not take place and the mining operations could not be commenced. During this period Sunflag had advanced funds to the Company towards the operation and commencement of the mine. In the year 2016, the Company started mining operations with minimal production; however, the Company could not share the iron ore extracted with Sunflag for various reasons.
  • The Company and Sunflag were engaged in discussions to resolve the issue amicably but the same could not be resolved. Sunflag then invoked the arbitration clause as provided in documents and initiated arbitration proceedings. After hearing the arguments of both parties, the learned Arbitrator passed an award on 22nd April 2022. The gist of the award is as follows: The Company is liable to pay Rs. 900 crores to Sunflag (i.e., Rs. 312 crores on account of refund of advance along with accrued interest and the balance Rs. 588 crores as full settlement of all other claims).
  • Given the amount being large, the Company proposed to settle the said liability, subject to the approval of shareholders and by applicable laws, by issuing six crores (6,00,00,000) Zero interest Optionally Fully Convertible Debentures (“OFCD”) which will settle the entire liability based on proposed issue price of Rs. 150/- (Rupees One Hundred and Fifty only). The OFCD would be converted not before 9 months but, not later than 18 months at a conversion ratio of 1:1.
  • As per the settlement through the arbitral tribunal concerning dispute settlement with Lloyds Metals and Energy (LMEL), SISCL had been allocated optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCD) of LMEL in April 2022. The company exercised the OFCD on March 16, 2023, resultantly, the company now holds an 11.89% stake in LMEL.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing facilities like Sponge Iron Plant, Mini Blast Furnace, Sinter Plant, Captive Power Plant, Steel Melt Shop, Continuous Casting Machine with EMS facility, Ingot Casting and Rolling Mills. Modern annealing facilities include a Bell annealing furnace, hardening and tempering, Electric annealing furnace. Bright Bar facilities like peeling machines, Combined drawing machines, Wire drawing units, coil-to-bar peeling machines, polishing & grinding line,s and heat treatment facilities are available for value addition. Further, Ultramodern inspection and testing facilities which include Phased Assay Auto Ultrasonic testing machine, Magna flux leakage test, Eddy current test, MPI and mobile / XRF Spectrometer, Anti mix testing for ensure best quality.

Corporate governance - Need some fresh minds here.

  • 6 independent and 6 non-independent directors

Management / Key man

  • Pranav Bhardwaj
    • Mr. Pranav Bhardwaj, age 49 years, is a British National and Person of Indian Origin. He has graduated as B.Sc. majoring in Chemistry and Business Management (Joint Honors Degree) from the world-renowned Imperial College of London
    • Pranav Bhardwaj, Managing Director (MD), is second generation entrepreneur, responsible for overall in charge of running the business affairs of the company
      • He is Chairman of ASPA (the Alloy Steel Producers Association of India) which was established in 1968, with the principal objective of promoting trade, commerce and manufacture connected with alloy steel in the country.
      • Other members of ASPA include Sachit Jain (MD, VSSL), RK Goyal (MD, Kalyani Steel), V M Mashruwala (CEO, Mukand Sumi Special Steel)
    • Age 49
  • Executive directors of the Company are above 70 years age
  • Top executive’s salary is around 5% of PAT

Vision - Trying its hands on Super alloy steel, now if this is possible they instantly add a TAM of around 500 crores which will also keep growing as India tries to reduce its import dependency.

  • Super Alloy Steel manufacturing facility has been commissioned and now it shall be able cater to requirements related to Aircraft Parts, Defence, Space Vehicle, Nuclear Reactor, Super-critical Power Plants, Industrial and Vehicle Gas Turbines, Petro-Chemical Plants and other High Temp and Corrosive Applications. This will enable the Company to reduce its dependency on automotive and auto ancillary industries and create opportunity for expansion and foray in new markets.
  • Besides, the Company is also looking forward to acquiring coal and iron ore mines to increase its business volume.
  • Capacities for new products: Sunflag has added facilities like Electro Slag Refining (ESR); Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) and Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR), which will cater to Aerospace and Defence.
    • Installation of Super Alloy Steel making:
      • ESR-II (1.8 T Capacity) - Successfully commissioned
    • ESR-I (22 T Capacity) - Successfully commissioned
    • Vacuum Induction Melting (6.5 T Capacity) -Successfully commissioned
    • Vacuum Arc Remelting (18 T Capacity)- Successfully commissioned
  • Other ongoing projects: The Company during the year commissioned its Blooming mill and Forging Plant which are now operating at their minimum capacity in view of operational requirements for stabilization.
    • Installation of Solution Annealing Furnace
    • Installation of new Pickling Plant & IVD
    • Installation of Coil Spheroidizing Furnace with new shed
    • Installation of LRF-3
    • 4th Strand in CCM-1
    • Installation of Abrasive Saw Machine in BSM
    • Installation of Shot Blasting Machines for Rebar and Coils
  • The Company during the year commissioned its Blooming mill and now operating at its minimum capacity in view of operational requirement for stabilization. Few approvals from customers for super alloy products have been received and accordingly the Company is now developing various grades of steel to cater to these customers
  • Ultramodern Blooming Mill, can cater to higher section requirements for Automobile, Heavy Engineering, Railways, Defence, and Aerospace requirements with a higher reduction ratio. Further, with Bottom poured ingot facilities, is catering to special requirements of Railways and Defence for critical / core applications.
  • Innovations in progress: Sunflag is actively involved in development activities for import substitution of special steel under the guidance of the Ministry of Steel, Government of India. Sunflag is developing various Special Steels that are presently not being made in India. The grades developed are in bearing grades for ball application, soft magnetic ferritic stainless steel, particularly duplex, super duplex stainless steel, precipitation hardening stainless steel, tool steels, and high-speed steels.

Clients - Great portfolio of clients

  • Superalloy category: Sunflag is an approved vendor to VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai space Center), LPSC (Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre for ISRO), HAL, and GE Gas & Power (GE Gas Power is a world leader in gas power technology, services, and solutions) and has received orders for supply of high-quality Aero steels & Inconel’s.
  • Super alloys market in India:
    • Annual import of super-alloys in the last three years averaged ₹1,374 crore, while for titanium alloys it was ₹618 crore and for speciality steel around ₹3,500 crore.

Sources:
Annual reports of the Company

Disclosure: Invested at lower levels

3 Likes