Issuer Profile
Profile
Founded in 1988, Ismail Industries Limited ('ISIL' or 'the
Company') was incorporated as a public listed Company in 1989. Mr. Muhammad
Ismail, in partnership with his brothers, founded Ismail Industries, which has
since become the largest manufacturer and exporter of confectionery products in
Pakistan. The Company's flagship brand, Candyland, operates within the
confectionery sector. Over the years, Ismail Industries has diversified its
portfolio through horizontal expansion, introducing brands such as Bisconni
(specializing in biscuits and cookies) and SnackCity (offering chips, peanuts,
and other snacks). The Company has made backward integration by ensuring
top-quality all-purpose flour (maida) for Bisconni and established Ghiza Flour.
Additionally, the Company has pursued vertical integration with the
establishment of Astro Plastics, which specializes in the production of BOPET,
CPP and BOPP films. Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL), headquartered in Karachi,
operates ten production facilities located across key industrial zones,
including Hub, Port Qasim. The Company’s operations are divided into two main
segments: Food and Plastics. For FY25, ISIL reported a production capacity of
316,416 MT (FY24: 298,356 MT) in the Food division, reflecting an enhancement
of 18,060 MT, while the Plastics division maintained a capacity of 63,000 MT
(FY23: 63,000 MT). Actual production stood at 201,769 MT (FY24: 192,644 MT) for
Food and 36,435 MT (FY24: 35,580 MT) for Plastics. This translates into
capacity utilization rates of approximately 63% (FY24: 65%) for Food and 57%
(FY24: 56%) for Plastics, indicating potential for further production
optimization in both segments. ISIL’s strategic initiative to establish its ‘Bisconni’
wholly owned subsidiary in Abu Dhabi, UAE, represents a commendable move to tap
into the lucrative MENA confectionery market.
Ownership
The majority ownership of the Company is held by the Ismail
family, with the shares distributed among three brothers and their families.
The ownership breakdown is as follows: Mr. Maqsood Ismail owns ~0.8%, his wife,
Ms. Almas Maqsood, holds ~29.8%, and their son, Mr. Hamid Maqsood Ismail, owns
~2.2%. Mr. Muhammad M. Ismail holds ~15.7%, his wife, Ms. Farzana Muhammad,
owns ~2.0%, and their son, Mr. Ahmed Muhammad, has ~15.2% stake. Mr. Miftah
Ismail owns ~31.0%, with his wife, Ms. Reema Ismail Ahmed, holding ~1.9%. The
remaining minority ownership is held by associated entities, including Uniron
Industries Private Limited ~0.6% and other stakeholders ~0.4% and free float.
The ownership structure of Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL) reflects a high
degree of stability, with the majority stake held by the Ismail family. Under
the long-standing leadership of Mr. Muhammad Ismail, who brings extensive
industry experience, the Company benefits from a seasoned and consistent
management approach. The sponsors of Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL) bring
over four decades of operational experience, contributing deep-rooted industry
expertise and insight to the Company's strategic direction. The sponsors
including the followings: Mr. Muhammad M. Ismail did his B.S. in Industrial
Engineering from the University of Florida, USA in 1974. He joined the family
concern Union Biscuits and served as a director till 1989 when he established
Ismail Industries Limited. As Chairman of IIL, he oversees all aspects of
management including production, sales and distribution, marketing, and
expansion and acquisitions. Mr. Maqsood Ismail, awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, holds
degree of B.S. in Economics from the University of Delaware, USA. Currently, he
is a Director of Ismail Industries Limited. Mr. Maqsood Ismail was the Chairman
of the Export Processing Zones Authority, Pakistan. He has also been Vice
President of the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of
Pakistan and a Chairman of Yarn Merchants Association of Pakistan and President
of Lasbela Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ahmed Muhammad Ismail completed his
graduation from George Washington University (USA), majoring in the field of
Economics. As part of the new vision of the Company, Ahmed Ismail has been
assigned the role of Chief of Candyland and Ismail Nutrition Business divisions
of the Company, where he has been active in modernizing the business while
bringing in a more object-oriented approach to managing the Company. As part of
the new vision of the Company, Hamid Ismail has been assigned the role of Chief
of Bisconni and SnackCity Business Division, where his achievements include
rapid growth in the topline of the business while improving the overall
profitability of both segments of the Company. He has a deep interest in
improving the technological capabilities of the Company and implementing the
accounting software. Dr. Miftah Ismail holds a PhD in Public Finance and
Political Economy from the Wharton School of Business, University of
Pennsylvania. A professional economist, he worked at the IMF before coming back
to Pakistan. He has a proven track record of leading some of the exciting names
in the Country including Chairman- Suit Northern Gas Company Pakistan, Director
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (2013 – present), Vice Chairman
Punjab Board of Investment and Trade – 2012. He is the President of Karachi
American School, and is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Institute of
Business Administration and has also been a visiting faculty member at the
I.B.A. Under this dynamic leadership, Ismail Industries Limited has achieved
remarkable success in the confectionery market while also demonstrating
excellence in expanding into new business ventures. In addition to being a
major player in the confectionery, biscuits and snacks industry, the Group has
interests in plastic films, cereals, flour and pharmaceutical.
Governance
The Company's Board of Directors is primarily composed of
members from the sponsoring family, totaling seven individuals. This
composition includes the Chairman, two non-executive directors, two executive
directors, and two independent directors. Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL)
benefits from a strong and experienced board of directors. The board members
possess diverse expertise, including industrial engineering and economics, as
well as a deep understanding of the confectionery, biscuits, and snacks
industry. The member’s profile of the Company includes the followings: Mr.
Munsarim Saif did his Bachelors of Engineering from N.E.D. University of
Engineering and Technology, Pakistan. He worked for Pakistan International
Airlines prior to joining Ismail Industries Limited. Currently, he is the Chief
Executive Officer of Ismail Industries Limited. He played for the National
Table Tennis Team for many years and was Pakistan’s Table Tennis champion in
1984. He has been with the Company since its inception and played a key role in
setting up the business. Mr. Ahmed Muhammad Ismail serving as an executive
director of the Company, completed his graduation from George Washington
University (USA), majoring in the field of Economics. As part of the new vision
of the Company, Ahmed Ismail has been assigned the role of Chief of Candyland
and Ismail Nutrition Business divisions of the Company, where he has been
active in modernizing the business while bringing in a more object-oriented
approach to managing the Company. Apart from business, he also has a keen
interest in golf. Mr. Muhammad Zubair Motiwala served as a former independent
director in the Company and was replaced by Mr. Muhammad Zain. Ms. Tasneem
Yusuf, serving as an independent director of the Company, is a chartered
accountant from ICAP, a fellow member of ACCA and a CPA. After working for
Unilever Pakistan, she moved to Dubai and worked for both Deloitte and Nasdaq
Dubai. Since moving back in 2009, she has been associated with her family
practice where she now heads the audit and assurance services department. Ms.
Tasneem Yusuf serves as a board member of Ismail Industries Limited, Reliance
Insurance Company Limited, B.F. Modaraba, Faran Sugar Mills Limited, Pakistan
Industrial Development Corporation and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan
(Private) Limited. She serves ICAP as a member of its Auditing Standards &
Ethics Board. Ms. Yusuf has completed the directors training program and the
directors training program for State Owned Enterprises from the Pakistan
Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG). Mr. Muhammad M. Ismail serving as a non-executive
director in the Company, did his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the
University of Florida, USA in 1974. He joined the family concern Union Biscuits
and served as a director till 1989 when he established Ismail Industries
Limited. As Chairman of IIL, he oversees all aspects of management including
production, sales and distribution, marketing, and expansion and acquisitions.
He also has a keen interest in bridge and is an avid golfer. Mr. Maqsood Ismail
was the Chairman of the Export Processing Zones Authority, Pakistan. He has
also been Vice President of the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and
Industry of Pakistan and a Chairman of Yarn Merchants Association of Pakistan
and President of Lasbela Chamber of Commerce. He was also on the board of IDBP,
and is now a trustee of the Karachi Port Trust. He was also on the Board of
Port Qasim Authority. He was awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (one of the highest civil
awards) by the Government of Pakistan in recognition of his services to the
community. Mr. Hamid Maqsood Ismail, serving as a non-executive director of the
Company completed his graduation from Middlesex Univeristy (London, UK)
majoring in the field of Business Administration and masters from Oxford
University. As part of the new vision of the Company, Hamid Ismail has been
assigned the role of Chief of Bisconni and SnackCity Business Division, where
his achievements include rapid growth in the topline of the business while
improving the overall profitability of both segments of the Company. He has a
deep interest in improving the technological capabilities of the Company and
implementing the accounting software. Under the leadership and guidance of the
experienced board, ISIL is well-positioned to capitalize on growth
opportunities and deliver long-term value to its shareholders. During FY25, the
Board of Directors convened four meetings, all of which were duly attended by
every Board member, including Mr. Muhammad M. Ismail, Mr. Maqsood Ismail Ahmed,
Mr. Munsarim Saifullah, Mr. Hamid Maqsood Ismail, Mr. Ahmed Muhammad, Mr.
Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, and Ms. Tasneem Yusuf. The governance framework of
Ismail Industries Limited was further enhanced by the Human Resource &
Remuneration Committee (HR&RC), chaired by Mr. Muhammad Zubair Motiwala
(Currently, Mr. Muhammad Zain), and the Board Audit Committee (BAC), chaired by
Ms. Tasneem Yusuf, further enhancing the governance framework for IIIL,
ensuring comprehensive oversight and strategic alignment. The Company complies
with the financial reporting and corporate governance framework under the
Listed Companies (Code of Corporate Governance) Regulations 2019 and the
Companies Act, 2017. Grant Thornton Anjum Rahman Chartered Accountants are the
external auditors of the Company. They gave an unqualified opinion on the
Company’s financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025. This reflects
a high level of Company's financial reporting integrity. Grant Thornton Anjum
Rahman Chartered Accountants are QCR-rated firm and is listed in the State Bank
of Pakistan’s category ‘A’ panel of auditors.
Management
Ismail Industries Limited (ISIL) maintains a clear
organizational structure, with centralized functions such as Accounts &
Finance, Human Resources, IT, and Supply Chain supporting the entire
organization. Meanwhile, Sales and Marketing departments are tailored to meet
the specific needs of each brand, allowing for targeted brand strategies and
operational efficiency. Mr. Munsarim Saifullah, the Group CEO of Ismail
Industries Limited (ISIL), holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from NED
University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan. A long-standing associate
of the founding sponsors, Mr. Saifullah has been integral to the Company since
its inception, bringing extensive expertise in production and engineering. Mr.
Ahmed Raza Parekh (FCA, CIA) serves as the group CFO of the Company. His
pivotal role entails spearheading and regulating all aspects of the Accounts,
Finance, Costing, Budgeting & Taxation function. He is supported by a team
of seasoned professionals, reinforcing ISIL’s leadership and operational
capabilities. The Company has no management committees in place. However,
members of the senior management regularly communicate and discuss ongoing
issues and upcoming plans relating to relevant brands and management functions.
The Company has now moved from SAP to SAP S/4HANA and success factors on cloud.
Multiple cloud service provider solutions have been reviewed and evaluated by
the Board and finalized one cloud service provider. The inclusion of SAP S/4
Hana has made a remarkable impact on day-to-day operations, especially data
management and presentation and has helped the Company to have more control
over the business operations and expand the Company's long-term initiatives.
All of the Company's products are ISO 22000 certified and have received Halal
certifications from SANHA. Oversight and effective management are ensured
through the internal audit department, which diligently monitors the Company’s
various functions and internal controls. This department reports directly to
the Board’s Audit Committee, providing an additional layer of accountability.
The Board’s Audit Committee Led by Ms. Tasneem Yusuf. While performing risk
oversight functions, the Board’s audit committee also evaluates cybersecurity
risks. Internal Audit department regularly performs network and cyber security
audits, the results of which are presented to the Board’s Audit Committee.
Business Risk
In Pakistan, the domestic convenience food market is
growing, with a 4.2% CAGR forecast for 2025-2033.Distribution meets
international standards in cities, but expansion opportunities exist in smaller
areas. Retail is fragmented; however, large chains are emerging, potentially
changing consumer habits. The CPI’s year-on-year increase is 4.5% as of
FY2024-25, signaling a slowdown in inflation. This impacts consumer spending,
especially on convenience foods, as price hikes in essentials continue.
Companies must adapt to these economic shifts to maintain market share. The
Condiments category in Urban and Rural inflation levels contributed~9.6% and
~9.2%, respectively. Recent product innovations in the Candyland range—such as
Jelly World, Sour Bites, Pizza Jelly, Sweet Bear, Orangy Jelly, Biggy, Buttons,
Bisca, Puffs, Cloud9, Punch Candy, and You Chocolate have further strengthened
its market position. Premium Bisconni offerings, including Divine, Mi Amor,
Daydream, Digestive, Perfetto, and Chip Hop, also experienced notable sales
growth. Additionally, Ghiza and Ismail Nutrition products contributed to higher
sales, with the Company’s LNS (Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement) products
providing a distinct competitive edge in the market. The Company employs
segment reporting for its revenue, divided into two primary segments: Food and
Plastics. The revenue mix for 9MFY26 stood at ~92.8 billion, with ~PKR
80.2 billion from local sales and ~PKR 12.3 billion from exports, compared to
9MFY25’s ~PKR 91.5 billion, where ~PKR 61.5 billion was generated domestically and
~PKR 29.9 billion through exports, reflecting a clear strategic and operational
realignment toward the domestic market. The diversity in the revenue stems
from well-established brands such as Candyland, Bisconni, SnackCity, Ismail
Nutrition, Ghiza Flour, and Astro Films. These brands collectively enable the
Company to capture a broad consumer base across multiple product categories,
supporting both mass-market and specialized demand. The strong brand equity
also allows the Company to maintain pricing power, enhance market penetration,
and sustain its competitive positioning across domestic and export markets.
Additionally, the multi-brand structure helps mitigate concentration risk by
balancing performance across various product lines and geographies. The
Gross Profit Margin decreased to 19.5% in 9MFY26 (down from 21.0% in 9MFY25),
while the Operating Profit Margin saw a more notable reduction to 8.7% (from
10.4% in 9MFY25), suggesting a moderation in overall operational efficiency
amid pressure from elevated input costs. Consequently, Net Profit stood at ~PKR
3.05 billion in 9MFY26, compared to ~PKR 4.0 billion in the corresponding
period last year. Notwithstanding the constraint on top-line earnings growth
and margin compression, the decline in profitability was partially mitigated by
effective financial management and cost control, evidenced by a significant
reduction in finance costs, which decreased to ~PKR 3.5 billion in 9MFY26 from
~PKR 3.8 billion in 9MFY25. The Company is consistently committed to
optimizing its operations and has introduced some premium products. Also, the
Company has introduced some new business lines. Apart from this, the Company is
planning to establish its new “Bisconni Middle East Manufacturing LLC” wholly
owned subsidiary, in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E with a total investment of up to $10mln.
The Company has made an equity investment of PKR 3,937,500,000 in Ismail Resin
to set up a Recycle Polyester Resin (PET Resin) manufacturing facility with a
capacity of 24,000 tons per annum. This initiative aligns with the Company’s
commitment to sustainability and innovation, positioning it as a key player in
the growing recycled materials market. Additionally, the Company has secured significant
contracts with major global brands, including Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé.
These partnerships are expected to drive growth and reinforce the Company's
market presence, further enhancing its reputation as a reliable and progressive
industry leader.
Financial Risk
The Company's working capital requirements, which comprise
inventory, trade receivables, and trade payables, are strategically financed
through a combination of internal cash generation and short-term debt
facilities. During 9MFY26, working capital management yielded mixed outcomes,
prompting an elongation of the Gross Working Capital days to ~119 days (up from
~97 days in FY25). This extension was primarily driven by a noticeable stretch
in inventory holding days. Conversely, the Net Working Capital days also saw
elongation (9MFY26: ~80 days), from ~71 days in FY25 last year, reflected by
the extension of payable days. The overall lengthening of the receivable cycle combined with the extension in payable days suggests a potential increase in the Cash Conversion Cycle. Subsequent to the reporting period, major receivables were cleared, easing short-term working capital pressure. The Free Cash Flow from Operations (FCFO) declined
substantially, settling at ~PKR 9.3 billion This significant drop indicates
weaker cash generation from core operations and suggests a decline in
operational efficiency. The Interest Coverage Ratio (FCFO over Finance
Costs) declined to ~2.1x in 9MFY26 (FY25: ~2.6x). This counterintuitive
improvement is directly attributable to the substantial reduction in Finance
Costs, which decreased from ~PKR 3.8 billion in 9MFY25 to PKR 3.5 billion in
9MFY26. The reduction in finance costs, due to a reduction in effective
interest rates, indicates improved financial efficiency and an enhanced ability
to meet interest obligations from cash flows. In summary, the Company exhibits
a dichotomy in its financial coverage metrics for FY25. While effective
management of the debt portfolio has lowered the cost of borrowing, the
fundamental operational weakness needs to be addressed to ensure sustainable
long-term financial health and improved ability to repay the total debt burden.
The Company maintains a highly leveraged capital structure. Total Borrowings
saw an increase from ~PKR 56.7 billion in FY25 to ~PKR 59.2 billion in 9MFY26,
indicating an aggressive funding strategy, deployed to finance growth
initiatives. Long-Term borrowings reduced from ~PKR 24.8 billion to ~PKR 22.5
billion. Overall, management should prioritize leveraging the improved
borrowing terms to de-risk the capital structure over the long term,
potentially by using lower-cost debt to strategically pay down the higher-cost
components or by prioritizing equity financing for future expansion.
Instrument Rating Considerations
About the Instrument
The Company intends to issue a rated, privately placed,
unsecured Short-Term Sukuk (PPSTS-7) amounting to PKR 8.0 billion, including a
green shoe option of PKR 3.0 billion, in August 2026. The proceeds from the
issuance will be utilized to finance the Company's working capital
requirements. The Sukuk will have a tenor of six months, maturing in February 2027.
It will carry a profit rate of 3MK plus an agreed spread, with both the
principal and profit payable in a single bullet payment at maturity.
Relative Seniority/Subordination of Instrument
The instrument is unsecured.
Credit Enhancement
The facility covenants are mutually agreed upon between the
Issuer and the Financial Advisors and Arrangers, as set out in the Facility
Documents. The issuance shall also comply with all applicable regulations and
guidelines issued by the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan
(SECP).
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