TTK Prestige Limited (517506) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

June 25, 2020

BSE Limited IN Consumer Discretionary Household Durables earnings 54 min

Earnings Call Speaker Segments

Operator

operator
#1

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the TTK Prestige Limited Q4 FY '20 Post Results Analyst Conference Call hosted by AMBIT Capital. [Operator Instructions] Please note that the conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Ashish Kanodia from AMBIT Capital. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Ashish Kanodia

analyst
#2

Thank you, Lizanne. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of AMBIT Capital, we welcome you all to the 4Q FY '20 earnings call of TTK Prestige Limited. We have with us Mr. T. T. Jagannathan, Chairman; Mr. Chandru Kalro, Managing Director; Mr. K. Shankaran, Director, Corporate Affairs; and Mr. V. Sundaresan, Chief Financial Officer of the company. Now I would like to hand over the call to the management for their opening comments, post which we can take the floor open for question and answers. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#3

Chandru?

M. Kalro

executive
#4

Yes, Jagan. Good afternoon, and welcome to all of you, and thank you for being here. Well, the Q4 was different like for most companies, thanks to the lockdown and the COVID situation. And we unfortunately ended up losing quite a bit of revenue over the last month because of the last 10 days which are very crucial for most companies, especially in durables. And therefore, you would have seen that there is a drop in the top line. And this was particularly unfortunate because we had launched a whole Q-on-Q products for the quarter and we were hoping to do quite well during the quarter. And moving forward, we are looking at things quite positively. The company is well placed in spite of all the problems. We continue to have enough cash to sustain the business. And after the lockdown has opened, we have seen a renewed interest in the kitchen, and therefore, the retail has been pretty solid wherever the markets have opened. So we are looking at the business a little more optimistically, and we now leave the floor open for questions.

Operator

operator
#5

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Avi Mehta from IIFL.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#6

Congratulations on this performance. I understand that the situation is weak, but it was encouraging...

M. Kalro

executive
#7

Can you please speak up. We are not able to hear you clearly.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#8

Sir, I had a few questions. One was on the exit run rate, especially in terms of sales. Now you had said that June till date was flattish but I wanted to understand the exact run rate because there could possibly have been pent-up demand, if you could kind of comment on that? And any category-specific comments that you could share?

M. Kalro

executive
#9

For our understanding, see, wherever the markets have opened, thanks to the lockdown, you know that people have been cooking only at home, largely without domestic help, and therefore, the kitchen has been a large focus during the period of the lockdown. And what we're seeing is, as soon as the markets are opening, we have launched a large exchange promotion, as you know, probably by now, to help people change their old products which are tired to new ones, and we're seeing a very good response to that. And a lot of convenience products which are now required where people need to work without maids and domestic help are now being sold very well. We are seeing a renewed interest in even the cookware business. So wherever the business has happened -- so as the market has opened, we are looking at sales going up and then coming down slightly after the better demand is satisfied, but even the steady state demand seems to be quite good.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#10

So how does this compare to pre-COVID levels?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#11

In our own store, the sales is higher than pre-COVID level. It is about 10% higher.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#12

Okay. And that's for our own stores, but, sir, for the remaining part of the business on an overall would you be able to share anything on that?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#13

See, we're not able to estimate that because one day one market is open, another day, another market is open. This market is closed, for that day, that market is open. So how do you estimate that.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#14

Okay. And sir, any category-specific things? You said cookware, for example, was doing well. Is this steady state healthy across the board? Or is there any specific categories to call out?

M. Kalro

executive
#15

Across the board, we are seeing a renewed interest in brand. People now want to buy a good brand, which is supported by good aftersales service, and they have understood that there is better to pay a little premium for that and actually buy those products. They are also buying largely products which can help them save time and convenience because if you see a lot of people working from home these days, and therefore, time is an even more premium now because they are working and cooking.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#16

Fair enough, sir. Fair enough. Sir, the second bit was on the cost-saving measures and the CapEx, if you could kind of share that? And any -- how are we looking at CapEx given our target of -- focus on ROCE?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#17

We have got enough capacity for what we require for this year. So the CapEx should largely be maintenance CapEx. And I don't understand the word cost savings. How we're going to save cost? We have paid all our labors 100%, all our staff, 100% during the lockdown.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#18

Sir, no, I didn't mean labor, I mean fixed costs, sir...

M. Kalro

executive
#19

I'll try to supplement that. We haven't laid off any person, like the Chairman just said to you. But what we are doing is a whole lot of digitization initiatives across the company to make us more efficient and more cost efficient, particularly. So a lot of processes that include sales processes, that include normal communication, that include HR processes and all that are now getting digitized, and of course, more efficient in terms of costs. We are looking at a benign commodity situation luckily for us even now. And we are in the process of even relooking that and seeing if there are any possibilities there.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#20

And going forward, we are very positive, so there's no need to reduce fixed costs.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#21

Okay, sir. Sir, maintenance CapEx, what number should I kind of -- what is the number that it typically is, maintenance CapEx, sir?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#22

INR 30 crores.

Avi Mehta

analyst
#23

INR 30 crores.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#24

Which is less than depreciation.

Operator

operator
#25

The next question is from the line of Mayank Bhandari from B&K Securities.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#26

Sir, I wanted to know what was our direct rural sales in FY '20?

M. Kalro

executive
#27

Direct rural sales was about INR 115 crores.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#28

Okay. And within Appliances category, can you just give how different categories have done, like kitchen appliances, cleaning solutions and...?

M. Kalro

executive
#29

So we've given you that in the release, I think, there. The presentations are...

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#30

No. No. In terms of mixer grinder, individual...

Unknown Executive

executive
#31

In the director's report, it is there. [indiscernible]

M. Kalro

executive
#32

The director's reported extract will give you all those details.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#33

Okay. And sir, in terms of liquidity conditions, you highlighted that there is some stress in general trade as well as in the modern format. So sir, can you give some color around this? Like, how is the liquidity conditions stressful for general trade and for both modern format?

M. Kalro

executive
#34

So the way things are panning out are that we are not in the mood to take any risk unless we see the money coming in for the past receivables. And we are being very careful and very conservative on that. The general trade is paying us, we are able to get money. The collections have been healthy as soon as the markets have opened. The modern trade, of course, hasn’t even opened up, as you know, and the malls are not opened up and many of the other things have not opened up. So there, we are stuck and that part of the market is not really operational.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#35

Okay. Sir, in -- particularly in the last 3 months, how is the e-commerce contributed to your overall sales? I mean, as a -- I mean, it's like about 16%, 17% of your total sales. So can you just give some -- like, has it increased significantly?

M. Kalro

executive
#36

It has significantly increased in contribution to the total because as I told you the large formats have not yet opened, and also people are not wanting to come out and shop if they can avoid it. So the e-commerce sales is, as we speak, in June, it has more than doubled of what it was last year for the same month.

Operator

operator
#37

The next question is from the line of Prashant Kutty from Sundaram Mutual Fund.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#38

Sir, firstly, I'm sorry, I just joined a little late. Did you make any comments in terms of how has been the demand trajectory in the month of April, May, June? Or...

T. Jagannathan

executive
#39

Can you come closer to the phone, please? We're not able to hear you properly.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#40

I am sorry. Is it audible now?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#41

Now better.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#42

Sure. Sorry, I said I just missed out a comment if you made anything on how have the demand trends been once the lockdown has opened up? So if you could just give us some sense in terms of how has May and June been in terms of activity?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#43

Chandru?

M. Kalro

executive
#44

Yes. In May, as you know, it has opened partially. And wherever the markets have opened and even continuing in June, wherever the markets have opened, the demand for kitchen appliances has been very robust. In fact, they have been seen to be seeing a pent-up demand, and though there is an initial spike coming down slightly to a level which is probably even better than what it was last year. The reason why we are not seeing an overall sale that is better than last year is because many parts of the markets are closed, many channels are still not opened up. But where they are opening, we are seeing a very renewed interest in kitchen appliances and the sales are very good.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#45

Any number to quote, sir, for example, what would be at, let's say, May or June in terms of -- versus last year?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#46

In fact, June, up to now, is about 10% ahead of last year.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#47

Okay. Sir, second question is on the alternative channels, which -- you just said that many channels are closed as well. How is the e-comm channel performing? And how much was it -- how much was e-comm for us in 2020? And what's the outlook for e-comm business in 2021?

M. Kalro

executive
#48

So the e-comm business was between 12% to 14% last year in FY '20. The e-comm business that we are seeing in June compared to the June of last year is probably more than double, as we speak.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#49

Okay. So this is one of the big drivers for online?

M. Kalro

executive
#50

Yes. Considering the fact that large formats are closed and people don't want to come out and shop, they are preferring to shop online.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#51

Remember, that half the market is still closed, and we're still doing better than last year, thanks to e-commerce.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#52

Okay. Okay. Also, sir, when you said half the markets are closed, the markets which are opened up, are there any trends, like, which of the markets which are opened up and doing well? Any sense on that?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#53

Karnataka, for instance, has opened up fully and is doing brilliantly and Kerala is doing well. Parts of Andhra are doing well. East is not doing well. First, of course, was COVID and then Amphan, and then Maharashtra is not doing so well. Delhi is also not doing so well. Parts of Uttar Pradesh is also not doing well.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#54

Okay. So you said Kerala, Karnataka are doing well?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#55

Yes.

Prashant Kutty

analyst
#56

Okay. And my last question, sir, you said direct rural has been about INR 115 crores in 2020. Again, we've been hearing the rural demand has been better in the last 2 months, is there a similar trajectory which you are also kind of -- or similar kind of commentary which you're also getting? And how would have rural seen in the last 2 months?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#57

You see, our rural is divided into 2 parts. One is what we sell through the tertiary stores, in the tertiary towns. The other is through MFIs. MFI sales is 0. Because of the government moratorium, they are not able to lend on the appliances. But we are not able to measure how much of the Tier 4 sales is rural. What we gave you the number INR 115 crores was purely through MFIs.

Operator

operator
#58

The next question is through the line of Achal Lohade from JM Financial.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#59

Pardon me, if I am repeating the same question. So with respect to the rural, earlier, you had indicated that we're trying to set up new distribution, so to say. So one is the MFI and there have been some changes in that, as you said, so have we been able to recoup the entire -- the rejig is over. And B, if there is any alternate rural distribution channel we are setting up?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#60

See, actually, we recouped 100% of our distribution by end of last quarter last year. And then the COVID came and the bottom dropped out. With the Reserve Bank saying moratorium on all loans, the MFIs are not able to give loans to buy appliances. So currently nothing is happening with MFI. We believe it will revive in July.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#61

Right. And against this INR 115 crore in FY '20, how much was the number in FY '19, sir?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#62

Chandru?

M. Kalro

executive
#63

See, we lost about INR 40-odd crores last year.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#64

So INR 155 crores, INR 160 crores.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#65

Understood. Understood. And secondly, with respect to the sales mix, could you help us with FY '20 in terms of the mix in terms of GT. You have talked about 12% to 14% for e-comm, but how much was the GT, how much was the Prestige exclusive and Other segments?

M. Kalro

executive
#66

Sorry, come again.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#67

I'm trying to understand that sales mix in terms of the channel mix. So you've talked about e-comm being 12% to 14%...

M. Kalro

executive
#68

I will tell you the whole thing, you don't have to deduce it. The GT accounts for about 50% of our sales. The PSK account for about 14%, 15% of our sales. The large format account for about 15%, 18% of our sales. E-comm accounts between 12% and 14% of our sales. The rest is institution.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#69

That is last year.

M. Kalro

executive
#70

That is last year.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#71

Understood. Understood. And...

M. Kalro

executive
#72

And the rural business last year was INR 85 crores through the MFI channel.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#73

Understood. Understood. My other question was, with respect to the new categories, now would it be possible to talk about like what you had indicated about Svachh range of cookers. So could you highlight some of these, which could have come in last 2, 3 months? Have we done anything? Or are we planning anything in next 1 or 2 quarters?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#74

Chandru?

M. Kalro

executive
#75

So what we've done in the Q4 -- end of Q3 last year and Q4 of last year was to transform our entire range of pressure cookers to move on to the Svachh platform, which meant that literally about 200 SKUs have been transformed into being in the Svachh platform. The idea is that we are now tackling a huge problem in the kitchen, which was never tackled before, and this provides a solution. We believe that this is going to golden standards in very good -- as we go along in this coming year. Apart from that, we've got a slew of new products this year in all product categories. And most of them, we want to make sure that we put into the market in the first half of this year.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#76

Understood. Understood. And just last question, if I may, with respect to sourcing? At an aggregate company level, how much is in-house and how much is outsourced, sir?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#77

It's about 50-50.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#78

And would it be possible to highlight given the -- what we are hearing about imports from China substitution? So a, what is the mix from China in terms of the imports? And b, is there any work we've already initiated with respect to import substitution?

M. Kalro

executive
#79

So we started embarked on a journey of reducing dependence on China 5 years ago when the first skirmish in Doklam happened, just for so you know. So from then to now, we have constantly indigenized and moved to India sourcing and actually brought it down to a level which is between 10% and 11%. After the current situation has happened, we are very clear, we are now fast-tracking that India sourcing. In fact, by putting pressure on ourselves, we are actually putting a hard stop on September. After September, you will not find TTK Prestige import anything from China. Everything will come from India, and we are not expecting it to impact our supply chain or our ability to do the business for this current year, it will not impact us.

Achal Lohade

analyst
#80

And any impact on the margins on account of this?

M. Kalro

executive
#81

No.

Operator

operator
#82

We'll move on the next question, that is from the line of Arnab Mitra from Crédit Suisse.

Arnab Mitra

analyst
#83

The first question was on the competitive intensity where in the past few quarters, you have seen some intensity from lower cost price players. Now post the lockdown opening, has that intensity reduced? How is the kind of promotional intensity in the market in May and June?

M. Kalro

executive
#84

Well, I don't think any of our competitors are as well placed as us, in the first place, both in terms of our cash position and our brand and our ability to promote, et cetera, et cetera. So you will find that at this moment, we are probably the only brand, which is advertising aggressively in all print and TV medium in the industry. And we believe that this is the time we can actually garner share because of our superior position in the market. Added to that, we are, as I said, keeping our new product pipeline fully activated, and you will see a lot of new products coming into the next 3, 4 months.

Arnab Mitra

analyst
#85

Okay. The second question was, obviously, e-commerce has now become much bigger, and it's now a very sizable channel for you. So in terms of market share, how do you do in e-commerce versus overall all-India shares? And in general, is competitive intensity, pricing margins better off or worse off from the overall business that you have?

M. Kalro

executive
#86

So in the e-comm platforms, we are clear leaders, which are being confirmed by both the 2 major platforms in the country because we've had our annual business plans with them. The pricing pressures are not there because our realizations are roughly the same as what we get from our large-format business. So we are not expecting this to adding a -- negatively impacts our margins. In fact, if anything, because of our ability to come out with exclusives and we have been early adopters and first of the class in doing everything that is e-commerce friendly. We today have 4 warehouses across the country, which are fulfillment centers for e-commerce. We are expanding that. And as we speak, we are the preferred partner for these 2 partner platforms. So the share, if anything, would be better on the e-commerce platforms.

Operator

operator
#87

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Bhavin Vithlani from SBI Mutual Fund.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#88

Good performance despite the uncertainties. Sir, my first question is, if you could help us with the market share in cooker, which cooker and cookware? Sir, last time you mentioned cooker market share in fiscal '19 was 36% on value, and in the cooker, our market share -- cookware, our market share was 38%. So I would appreciate what would be these updated numbers?

M. Kalro

executive
#89

It's in the similar lines as we speak. Because also, we haven't got our latest estimates that have come. So we want -- going to next quarter, we'll be able to answer that question better. See, also remember, what is happening in this market share estimate, the market share agency is covering large formats and GT. They do not cover our own BXL. They do not cover e-commerce, rural, et cetera, et cetera. So the numbers we give you are on that basis. And I don't think our shares have gone up or gone down too much because we've just come out of the lockdown.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#90

Sure. But for the year fiscal '20, as a whole, would -- nationally, would we have gained market share or retained market share?

M. Kalro

executive
#91

We would have probably retained market share.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#92

Understand. Second is, if you could help us with the breakup of the Appliances segment, where -- I mean, in terms of gas stoves, mixer grinders, induction cooktops, rice cookers?

M. Kalro

executive
#93

If you look at the Director's report, the breakup is given there. We've given you an abstract of that. We've carried those numbers.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#94

Okay. Sure. Fair enough. I'll look into it. And -- so just a question again on the Appliances segment. When you look at last 10 years, the growth has been pretty exemplary around 23%, 24%. In your view over the next 3 to 4 years, taking a slightly longer-term picture and just taking out the current uncertain period, what in your view is the growth rate that you could achieve in the Appliances segment? And if you could give some softer aspects on the color in terms of new categories that you're adding some newer product or innovation, something that you have spoken about in your press release?

M. Kalro

executive
#95

So in the Appliances, we are continuing to grow in double digit. And I think in the next 3, 4 years, I mean, this year, you keep it as an aberration because we really don't know how to look at this year until it evolves. But I think we are in a good position to continue with that double-digit growth, as we speak. Our innovation pipeline is full. We are coming out with exciting new products in all our core categories. When I say core categories, in appliances, there are gas stoves; mixer grinders; small appliances, which are convenience appliances; rice cookers; and even in chimneys, et cetera. So that new product introduction speed is going to be maintained, and we believe our growth rate will be maintained.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#96

Sure. I guess last -- so we had started with a new initiatives on the luxury side of chimneys and cooktops, where we are starting with exclusive stores. If you could throw more light? That's my last question.

M. Kalro

executive
#97

We've just introduced a new store format called Prestige Lifestyle, which we are focusing for this financial year only in the city of Bangalore because we picked Bangalore because, a, we are located here and Bangalore is probably one of the most versatile cities in the country. The kind of products that you will see in these stores, you will not see in our regular stores. So you will see a huge range of chimneys. We've got a new range of built-in appliances, which are ovens, et cetera. We've even got a countertop dishwasher there. And all our exclusive products, like, for example, we launched a grain grinder, which is called down-the-top grain grinder, which you'll see that. So it's called Lifestyle because we want this to address people who have a better lifestyle at home and who believe their kitchens are probably the most important room in the house. So as we go along, we will then expand the footprint of these lifestyles stores from next financial year onwards.

Operator

operator
#98

We'll move on to the next question that is from the line of Chirag Lodaya from Valuequest.

Chirag Lodaya

analyst
#99

Sir, my first question is, so in last few quarters, we are focusing on broad basing our modern trade large formats store part of the business. So this full year, if you can help us understand what's the contribution towards the major customer versus others? So how broad basing has happened this year?

M. Kalro

executive
#100

So what we meant by saying broad basing was we were having one very large customer and the other were reasonably okay. Now that kind of dependence has been reduced last year. And as we go along, that is something that we will do make sure that we are not dependent on any one single customer too much. We are also seeing, as you probably already know, there is a churn in the large-format area, the modern-format area, and we also have to wait for that to pan out before we can say anything more on this.

Chirag Lodaya

analyst
#101

Okay. Okay. Secondly, sir, when it comes to rural sales, our dependence on MFI channel is pretty high today. And currently with this COVID, this channel has impacted the most. So are you planning to build any alternate channel in this area or MFI will be only the channel to get us through this 3 months?

M. Kalro

executive
#102

See, as our Chairman said, the rural is split into 2 large parts. One is directly through the MFI. There is a substantial sale that happens through our Tier 4 towns, which are bigger towns into rural areas. Now we can't tell you how much is going into rural because we can't measure it. Clearly, our distribution expansion plan towards that end of the market is very aggressive this year, given the fact that there is so much reverse migration that has happened in the last few months -- in the last 1 month. We believe -- and also the fact that the onset of the monsoon has been bang on time, we believe the rural demand will be quite robust. So our effort is to make sure that the Tier 4 towns, our distribution is further strengthened, our products are reaching there in a better way, and also, we are trying to promote in those areas.

Chirag Lodaya

analyst
#103

Right. Right. Sir, just last one small clarification. So as Chairman said, overall demand in June is 10% higher to pre-COVID levels, it is for a company level or areas which are open?

M. Kalro

executive
#104

It is for the areas and channels which are open.

Operator

operator
#105

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Pritesh Chheda from Lucky Investment Managers.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#106

Sir, in one of your answers that you gave to a participant on a 5-year growth and where you mentioned that appliances will grow double digit and you mentioned gas stoves also in it. So just my question is on gas stove and cooker's side. These both categories are largely penetrated, and there was a big growth also in one of the category driven by the Ujjwala Bharat Scheme. Despite that, do you see a double-digit growth rate in these 2 categories? Or is it fair to assume that here, these 2 categories should be a low single-digit and largely replacement-demand led?

M. Kalro

executive
#107

No. The gas stoves that we addressed, too, are the replacement demand. We are not in the entry-level gas stoves at all, I mean, just to clarify.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#108

We don't supply Ujjwala.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#109

Yes. I know you don't supply to Ujjwala, but -- so is it fair to assume that -- so here, the demand has to be largely single-digit or you -- and since it's entirely replacement at a fully penetrated product or do you still think it can be double-digit growth? And if it is a double digit, what are the drivers to it?

M. Kalro

executive
#110

The drivers are the new products that we are bringing in.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#111

And it is not fully penetrated if you look at the kind of products we are bringing in. We are bringing in superior products, products with innovation. So people will throw away their old gas stoves and buy ours.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#112

Okay. And same logic you ascribe in cookers?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#113

Yes. Yes. Cookers is the first platform. Yes, the same logic.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#114

But cookers for you has grown at single-digit for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 years straight.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#115

For the last 10 years.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#116

Yes.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#117

Yes. Because it is a fully penetrated market in the urban areas. Two things have changed. One, our new Svachh platform will increase our market share very dramatically. Two, because of the Ujjwala Scheme, the rural areas have now started taking cookers.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#118

Okay. Okay. And lastly, sir, on the cookware and kitchen electric appliances. Post-COVID, we -- even in your call, you have commented on people staying at home, looking at kitchens, altering the kitchen, figuring out -- the postponed purchases have now being done now. So do you think that probably this 2 areas, which is kitchen electric appliances and cookware, might actually grow faster despite this 1, 1.5, 2-month disruption, might actually grow faster than what it has grown in the recent past?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#119

We hope you are right.

M. Kalro

executive
#120

The initial things that we are seeing in the retail is trending towards what you are saying. But I think we should wait for some time before we can say for sure.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#121

Okay. And on the gross margin side, directionally, a combination of more localization in India plus low material cost and a combination of your product mix, where do you see directionally the gross margins improving, reducing or stable?

M. Kalro

executive
#122

We look -- see them as stable. We are not looking at anything going down. And I don't think there will be any dramatic uplift. Remember, the commodity prices are denied even last year.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#123

And any extraordinary ad spends that you have proposed for FY '21, considering you're first off the block to -- as a brand to engage with customers, so there if you have any comment as a percentage of sales or absolute...?

M. Kalro

executive
#124

Nothing extraordinary, we are doing as we would do in a normal year, given the fact that we are in a position to spend. And also, after we have seen the demand, we believe it is worth spending at this stage to grab our share.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#125

Okay. And where are we on our ambitions on cleaning and water purifiers? There, we had this large ambition of revenue size, where are we on those 2 ambitions?

M. Kalro

executive
#126

I'm glad you asked that question. With cleaning, we are not able to supply enough. The reason is because people have now been without domestic help at home. So our mops are doing extremely well. Our water purifiers are doing extremely well, so are the bottles and other things that we are doing there...

T. Jagannathan

executive
#127

And vacuum cleaners...

M. Kalro

executive
#128

And the vacuum cleaners have been a revelation, actually. We are just not able to supply enough.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#129

So you might record what some 3-digit growth in these 2 categories, in cleaning solution and others?

M. Kalro

executive
#130

What do I say really, [Foreign Language]. Yes. Hello?

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#131

Yes.

M. Kalro

executive
#132

Yes. I mean as I said, it's too early to take a long-term view on that. We are daily sitting and staring at a new situation. At this moment, yes, these categories are doing brilliantly.

Operator

operator
#133

The next question is from the line of [indiscernible] Mutual Funds.

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#134

Sir, just one question. So what would be our broad utilization levels in June?

M. Kalro

executive
#135

Realization levels?

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#136

Utilization levels, sir. Plant utilization levels?

M. Kalro

executive
#137

Plant utilization between 50% and 70%, depending on which plant it is. We have 5 sites. And we are largely covered by what the local government allow us to do in terms of number of workers we can get in and the kind of shift we can operate. So we are between 50% and 70%. And all 5 sites are operational.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#138

Hello?

M. Kalro

executive
#139

Hello?

Operator

operator
#140

Mr. [ Dukanwala ], are you done with your questions?

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#141

Yes, yes, I'm done. I'm done.

Operator

operator
#142

The next question is through the line of Bharat Chhoda from ICICIdirect.

Bharat Chhoda

analyst
#143

Sir, just wanted to know how much of a -- do we import from China?

M. Kalro

executive
#144

The Chinese imports account for between 10% and 11% last year of our top line. And I think you must have heard us say this, after September, we have put a hard stop to it, and we are moving aggressively everything back to India.

Bharat Chhoda

analyst
#145

Okay. But sir, just wanted to look at a broader perspective, like, probably, is there an opportunity for Indian players to scale up and become a sourcing destination in our segment of products?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#146

Very unlikely. But scale of the Chinese, you take a company called Galanz. They make microwave cookers. They produce 5 million cookers a year. The total sale in India is 300,000.

Bharat Chhoda

analyst
#147

Okay. Okay. And sir, just one small question. Like, we said that the online business is doing well. So probably in that, how is the margin profile and the working capital scenario over there?

M. Kalro

executive
#148

At EBITDA level, there is not much difference. Realizations are similar to our modern-format realization.

Bharat Chhoda

analyst
#149

And the working capital, like, over there?

M. Kalro

executive
#150

Again, similar to the modern format.

Operator

operator
#151

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Mayank Bhandari from B&K Securities.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#152

Sir, particularly in Q4, your gross margin has been pretty good...

Operator

operator
#153

Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Bhandari. Sir, we're not able to hear you clearly.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#154

Can you hear me now?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#155

Yes.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#156

Sir, particularly in Q4, gross margin has been really good and while the sales has declined by about 14%. So what would you attribute to this?

M. Kalro

executive
#157

It's a big, big the product mix, the channel mix. It's a host of things. See, we are largely stable in terms of gross margin increase. I mean, it's up and down within 100 basis points, you will see any year, that's what you see.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#158

So within the same product mix, you believe that the sale of pressure cooker has resulted in better realization in Q4?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#159

No. We have not priced it more than our own cookers, same pricing.

Mayank Bhandari

analyst
#160

Okay. Okay. And sir, this would be a sustainable margin, like...?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#161

Yes.

Operator

operator
#162

[Operator Instructions] Next question is from the line of Rachna Prasad from Millennium.

Rachna Prasad;Millennium Mams;Analyst

analyst
#163

Sir, this is Rachna Prasad from Millennium Mams organization, Kolkata. Sir, my question is that last year, your export figure was INR 51 crore and you have a vision of increasing it to INR 1,000 crore. Sir...

T. Jagannathan

executive
#164

INR 500 crores, INR 500 crores.

Rachna Prasad;Millennium Mams;Analyst

analyst
#165

Okay. INR 500 crore. So what is the vision behind this? And what countries you are exporting? And sir, are you thinking of exporting the cleaning solutions? Or like, what is your vision behind it I would like to know?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#166

First, we have got the built capacity so that capacities are available for export in all our product lines. Second, we have worked very hard over the last 10 years to acquire new customers. That has succeeded. We now have some great new customers. So our export profits from last year to this year will double. And we expect to keep that way till we get to INR 500 crores. And third and most importantly, we've acquired the company Horwood to make sure that we export to Europe our own brands. So combined these 3 strategies will get us INR 500 crores.

Rachna Prasad;Millennium Mams;Analyst

analyst
#167

Okay. That's fantastic. And sir, I would also like to congratulate you on your flagship store, which you have opened in Bangalore. It was visited by my members and very well received, and they all applauded. So congratulations on that. And we wish to see more stores in other cities as well.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#168

Thank you. You will.

Operator

operator
#169

The next question is from the line of Bhavin Vithlani from SBI Mutual Fund.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#170

Sir, going by the current run rate, would you believe that you would be able to maintain the current level of sales which you reported in fiscal year '20 and fiscal '21?

M. Kalro

executive
#171

First, we would like to. We've lost about 1.5 months. That's something that we have to first make up for. We believe that if market opens quickly, that's a possibility. But if markets are in lockdown again, like it's happening, that looks difficult. We have to wait for some time before we have a stable situation.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#172

I completely I understand. Secondly...

M. Kalro

executive
#173

The thing is, we can tell you what's happening right now. What is happening right now is, in the markets which are opened, in the channels which are opened, we are doing better than last year.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#174

Sure. That's fairly encouraging. The second is our -- I mean, we had -- on the ad spend, we had some bit of acceleration as we had launched Svachh brand sometime in Jan. Would you believe that given that there was a lockdown for a brief period, some part of it had to be, I mean, reemphasized and that may entail slightly higher expenditure on the ad front in the current financial year?

M. Kalro

executive
#175

Absolutely. You're right. I mean with the lockdown, we've kind of gone back. So you would have seen that we've already restarted the campaign on Svachh. It's a national and nationally digital campaign, which we've unleased because we want to emphasize that aside of the fact that we've also launched the exchange scheme which I spoke about. But having said all that, we're looking at advertising spend being a roughly similar percentage as to last year to our revenues.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#176

Okay. Okay. I understand. Sir, just last, on capital expenditure, you mentioned current year would be just mainly maintenance CapEx, but on a sustainable basis, how should one think about capital expenditure, given that we had a target of INR 5,000 crores in 5 years?

M. Kalro

executive
#177

So the CapEx, like Chairman said, we have currently got adequate capacity to service export orders for that level. We have to then take it to the next level only after we cross those lines. While we are speaking, we are also doing several initiatives to make sure we do automation, to make sure productivity goes up from the existing lines also. So that is the way the CapEx is being used. We're not seeing too much expenditure in the coming 1 or 2 years.

Bhavin Vithlani

analyst
#178

I understand. Sir, the last question from my side again is, so one of the peers not -- Havells has actually now started with an omni-channel where they have through digitally combined the off-line and online channel members. Are we also looking at similar so that the friction between the off-line and online channel is scuttled out?

M. Kalro

executive
#179

We have done several initiatives with that area. In fact, as we speak, there is a pilot omni-channel hyper-local delivery model, which is being experimented within Bangalore. We will have more to report to you next quarter, I think, when we have a little more work done on this. But yes, we are very actively working on developing that omni-channel capability very soon.

Operator

operator
#180

The next question is from the line of Pritesh Chheda from Lucky Investment Managers.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#181

Sir, just a follow-up to one of the participants, you replied that quarter 4 gross margin, which is slightly higher than what is the annual margin for you, that margin is sustainable is what you replied?

M. Kalro

executive
#182

The annual margin is sustainable is what I replied.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#183

Annual margin is sustainable is what you replied?

M. Kalro

executive
#184

Yes.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#185

And just one observation, there is an equity increase between the 2 years, which is last year and this year, it's to do with any ESOF conversion or anything?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#186

No. It includes bonus shares.

Pritesh Chheda

analyst
#187

Okay. It's a function of bonus equity?

M. Kalro

executive
#188

Yes.

Operator

operator
#189

The next question is from the line of Jayakanth Kasthuri from Way2Wealth Securities?

Jayakanth Kasthuri

analyst
#190

Sir, as you said, your factories are working at around 50% to 70% of capacity utilization. So I wanted to understand in terms of your labor availability, are they all locally available? Or it's like some of them have migrated or some kind of reverse migration is happening?

M. Kalro

executive
#191

Very little has happened in terms of reverse migration, nothing of material nature. So we don't have any labor issues or getting manpower back into our factories. Most of our labor remain around the sites.

Operator

operator
#192

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of [ Solani Omkar ] from [indiscernible].

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#193

Sir, I would like to ask, in one of the report, you have mentioned that you doubled the turnover about 2024, '25. Sir, can you throw us some light on it, like, which was the product which will be contributing to this doubling turnover?

M. Kalro

executive
#194

Sorry, come again. I didn't understand the question.

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#195

Sir, you will be doubling the turnover by 2024, '25?

M. Kalro

executive
#196

2025?

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#197

Yes.

M. Kalro

executive
#198

Yes. So you are saying which are the products that will lead to that?

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#199

Yes, which will be contributing more to this doubling of turnover, like kitchen appliances or the pressure cooker? What would be the most contribution to that? Or if you can throw some light on doubling the turnover, turnover by 2024?

M. Kalro

executive
#200

So the idea was that now that 2024, we have to push a little bit because of this COVID year. But largely, the plan was made on the basis of a faster growth in appliances because the market sizes are bigger for many of those categories, and we were also expecting to grow in cookers and cookware. Now if you take cookware, we had a very large portfolio in nonstick, we are now building a very large portfolio in stainless steel. If you're looking at pressure cookers, we've already spoken about what we've done in terms of the Svachh pressure cookers. We're looking at hopefully getting market share gain in that. And the appliances are a big field, and we would like to grow there in double digits as I spoke.

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#201

Okay, sir. And sir, how is this Ujjwala scheme make you penetrate the rural market?

M. Kalro

executive
#202

The Ujjwala scheme has largely penetrated the urban core and the rural market. So what we are seeing is, like our Chairman told you, these markets are right for getting in pressure cookers and other kitchen gadget inside the moment the gas stove get share. Aside of the fact that within a few years, they will come up for replacement.

Operator

operator
#203

The next question is through the line is [ Rashmi Chawla ] from [indiscernible].

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#204

Yes. Hello? Yes, sir.

M. Kalro

executive
#205

Yes.

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#206

Yes. Sir, this is continuing the question about the rural area. Sir, you have 10 SKUs in rural areas, whereas there are 700 SKUs in urban areas. So sir, how do you see this in rural areas you are expanding these SKUs in rural areas to?

M. Kalro

executive
#207

You are saying that we have limited SKUs in rural area. Is that what your question is?

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#208

Yes, sir. Yes. Yes. Yes.

M. Kalro

executive
#209

Yes. Because the idea was to first check the waters there, and idea was to give them products that are more functionally relevant to them. Remember, the rural people are not necessarily buying the cheaper products. They're buying what is required by them for functional use. And as that kitchen evolves over a period of time, we will get in more products. The supply chain has been kept extremely light so that we can reach products correctly there and also service them.

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#210

Okay. So sir, we will see more SKUs in rural areas now?

M. Kalro

executive
#211

You will see that happening over a period of time, but it will take time.

Operator

operator
#212

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of [indiscernible] from Invesco.

Unknown Analyst

analyst
#213

Sir, just harping on the question earlier in terms of doubling of revenue for the next 5 years. So if you see the last 5-year, CAGR for this company has been purely to the extent of 7%, 8% kind of growth. And for doubling, I think we would require to grow at, say, 15% kind of a number. So do you think the kitchen appliances, because if you understand the core category being your cooker and the cookware grow at that 6%, 7% kind of a number, CAGR also. So the kitchen appliances will it grow at a higher growth rate, number one? Or will you look at scaling, acquisition, or a complete new product category for achieving this target?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#214

The doubling includes a large proportion of increase in export, increase in cleaning solutions, which is a new category and the increase in the market. We are not looking at just doubling the market. All of it put together will double the company's turnover.

Operator

operator
#215

Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last question. I now hand the conference over to the management for the closing comments.

T. Jagannathan

executive
#216

Chandru.

Unknown Executive

executive
#217

Not able to hear. Hello? What was the question?

M. Kalro

executive
#218

What was the question, again?

T. Jagannathan

executive
#219

No. No. Close the conference.

M. Kalro

executive
#220

Okay. Okay. So again, thank you very much for taking the interest and time. We, at TTK Prestige, are extremely optimistic about our future. We believe that we are best to -- in a better position than most of our peer group to address the market. The market itself is evolving every day. We don't know how these COVID crisis is going to pan out. But from whatever has happened in the market that have opened and in the channels that have opened, we're seeing very encouraging signs, which gives us a very good view for the year. How this pans out, we'll have to still see. Thank you once again for being with the call.

Operator

operator
#221

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of AMBIT Capital, that concludes this conference call. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.

For developers and AI pipelines

Programmatic access to TTK Prestige Limited earnings transcripts and 32,000+ others is available through the EarningsCalls.dev REST API. Plans from $24.99/month — full transcripts, speaker segments, full-text search, and the recently-added /api/v1/transcripts/recent polling endpoint for ETL pipelines.