PACRA Maintains Entity Ratings of Nishat Mills Limited

The ratings reflect established position of Nishat Mills as a premier export-oriented composite unit, with a sizable strategic portfolio and conservative capital structure. The Company enjoy's prominence in textile sector due to wide array of its products, extensive outreach and stable customer base. Meanwhile, the Company’s revenues are consistently on a growing trajectory, a factor of continuous BMR activities, which has helped the Company in maintaining its leading position. The diverse and sizable investment portfolio, emanating from the Company's implicit Holdco status within the Group, generates regular divided stream, supporting core income. Nishat Mills continues to maintain a low leveraged capital structure and strong coverages signifying its very strong financial profile. The Company's association with Nishat Group as its flagship entity, remains a key rating factor.
The entire textile chain is expected to be impacted due to the lockdown in Pakistan and major export destinations of the sector. The demand is expected to contract while eventual resumption of operations and recovery of the sector remains uncertain. The Company's operations and orders have suffered consequently. However, the Government and SBP have announced several initiatives to support export-oriented entities, providing some relief. Meanwhile, the Company continues to receive sizable dividend income from its diversified investment portfolio that provides comfort to the ratings. The Company is expected to maintain its very strong financial profile despite prevailing tough conditions.
The ratings are dependent on the Company's ability to sustain its core margins and profitability. Preserving low leveraged capital structure and sound coverages remain imperative. Meanwhile, inclusion of independent female members in the board structure is likely to have a positive impact on the governance of the Company.

About the Entity
Nishat Mills, established in 1951, is the largest textile composite unit and a leading exporter of textile products in the country. The Company’s majority stake (~51%) is owned by members of Mansha family and Nishat Group companies. Nishat Mills also holds shareholding in multiple strategic investments of Nishat Group. Nishat Group – a leading conglomerate – maintains a substantial presence in the country's financial sector and a strong foothold in textile, cement, power and hospitality sectors. The Group has lately entered Pakistan's automobile assembly industry through a joint venture with Hyundai motors.

The board comprises seven members with two directors representing the sponsoring family – including the Chairman – Mr. Hassan Mansha and the CEO. Board structure changed recently and added two female members to the board. Board consists of two independent directors, one executive director, while all other members are non-executive directors working with Nishat Group entities. The CEO, Mr. Umer Mansha, has been associated with Nishat Mills since 1994 and carries extensive experience in the textile industry. He is supported by an experienced management team. Moreover, the quality of systems and processes in place is considered very strong.