PIONEER EMBROIDERIES LTD - REVIVAL TIME ....

   

Pioneer Embroideries is a stock need no introduction to veteran investors .It was a hot one till 2007-08 which recorded its lifetime high @ Rs.345 during January 2008. Company is in the business of manufacturing embroidered fabrics, laces and dope dyed yarn and its brand “Hakoba” is still the undisputed leader in embroidered clothing category.In the ‘Laces’ segment company is the second largest producer in the world

                                                                             Company operating six manufacturing facilities across India with facilities to produce Embroidery (4248 million stitches), Bobbin Lace (25,200,000 mtrs), spun yarn (1,788 MT) and dope dyed yarn (10,500 MT). Due to leveraged and untimely expansion ( mainly in retail segment)  and  unexpected downturn in overseas markets due to recession ..etc  company went into big trouble .From a net profit of Rs.15 Cr reported in 2007 , its bottom line crashed to a loss of Rs.33 Cr in 2013 ( Out of this Rs.33 Cr , more than Rs.15 Cr were interest payment) . Sensing the big trouble, management initiated efforts to revive the company . Efforts to settle bank loans through CDR mechanism failed due to disagreement of few banks in the lender consortium . Because of this reason company initiated talks with each banks separately for one time settlement ( OTS) .Through this route company already settled its due to ICICI Bank and it is expected to complete the payment  to  State Bank of Patiala which already negotiated and reached amicable agreement .Meanwhile during last  year , company re-paid its entire FCCB obligation on a modified repayment terms .Now  its efforts to reach settlement with other banks are at various stages and management expressing their confidence to reach an amicable settlement with remaining lenders within not so distant future. In a recent development, Edelweiss ARC Limited ( EARC) , an asset reconstruction company sponsored by  Mr. Rashesh Shah led  Edelweiss Group took over the debt of Pioneer with EXIM Bank. I believe , Compared with banks ,Private asset management companies are more flexible and time and formalities needed to deal with them is less compared with PSU banks . Now EARC agreed to accept re-payment of interest outstanding on this loan in the  form of equity . As part of this agreement company now allotting  Eight Lakhs Fifty Thousand shares to EARC at a price of Rs.35 each. I don’t think ,any private ARC will convert  even a part of their assignment to equity if they feel the underlying business is not viable . 

 

 

Company’s retail venture – Hakoba Lifestyle-  is running through its subsidiary ( Currently four stores are operational ) and it also selling products like ready to stitch salwar kameez and dupatta sets, sarees ..etc through e-commerce sites like Flipkart..etc. Amid its not so good financial situation and working capital crunch , for the last five years pioneer reported substantial and steady improvement in its top line ( See below Table)  .

This clearly indicating,demand of product is  not the major issue of the company but mainly  the debt related issues eating its bottom line. Major fabric manufacturers in India and overseas are company's customers and the increase in export income was robust in last years which jumped from Rs.17 Cr to Rs.41 Cr. Its operating cash flow turned positive  in 2011  and it is about Rs.61 Cr in last FY. Now promoters are trying their level best to find a solution for debt related issues  and considering the recent developments ,I believe the possibility for a success in this effort is quite high. If the success of of their efforts continue in this same tempo , Pioneer may emerge as a dark horse in the years to come . Due to cash crunch company could not modernize some of its machineries in recent times. Once they are in a position to do that it will surely improve their efficiency and margins.   After the news of allotting shares to EARC @ Rs.35 , stock price appreciated in past few days . Average risk takers can wait for a correction ( if any )  for an entry and high risk takers may buy part now and add further in any dip ( if it happens) . This is not a stock suitable for those looking for quick bucks by investing only for one or two quarters. Earlier also I   indicated my positive stand on this company around Rs 20-25 level ( through replies to reader queries) which was before the arrangement with  EARC .  Stock listed in both exchanges and currently trading around Rs. 30 .

Link to Company Website HERE

Disc: It is safe to assume that I have vested interest in this stock.