Company Profile
Data Patterns (India) Limited (DPIL) is a vertically integrated defence and aerospace electronics solutions provider catering to the indigenously developed defence products industry with in-house design and development capabilities. The major products manufactured consist of radars, underwater electronics/communications, electronic warfare suite, various electronic equipment for BrahMos programme, avionics, small satellites, automated test equipment (ATE) for defence and aerospace systems, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) modules. Apart from this, it generates service income by providing annual maintenance for the products manufactured and repair services.
Company has design capabilities across the entire spectrum of strategic defence and aerospace electronics solutions including processors, power, radio frequencies (“RF”) and microwave, embedded software and firmware and mechanical engineering. Its core competencies include electronic hardware design and development, software design and development, firmware design and development, mechanical design and development, product prototype design and development, functional testing and validation, environment testing and verification and engineering services opportunities.
Data Pattern’s capabilities across electronics solutions from design to delivery allows it significant advantage in terms of overall development time and cost and allows it to offer competitive pricing when bidding for defence and aerospace projects. Platform specific products and products certified for ongoing programmes allows DP to be the preferred OEM supplier for such qualified product requirements, driving growth and revenue visibility over many years.
The company has a track record of more than three decades in the defence and aerospace electronics industry. DPIL has a manufacturing facility at SIPCOT IT Park, Chennai, which consists of a 100,000 square feet factory built on 5.75 acres of land, which has facilities for design, manufacturing, qualification, and life cycle support of high reliability electronic systems used in defence and aerospace applications.
Investment Arguments
· Well positioned to benefit from ‘Make in India’ Programme.
With Defence of public sector undertakings (DPSU) focusing on specialization, and integration & subcomponent manufacturing being outsourced to the private industry, there are resultant expanded opportunities for the private sector. Data Pattern’s focus on building complete systems from the building blocks and sub-systems already developed, provides a higher value addition while distributing development costs. Data Patterns is focused on developing complete systems and sub-system solutions in domains such as radars, electronic warfare, communication systems, RF and microwave, avionics, missile and torpedo electronics, fire and launch control systems, space-basedsystems, and automatic test equipment.
Driven by defence policies and government initiatives that are more predisposed towards procuring equipment from the private sector, companies like Data Patterns that already have strong business relationships with DPSUs, DRDO and larger private defence companies, as well as the R&D and manufacturing capability to build end-to-end solutions are likely to emerge as winners.
· Strong relationships with reputed clientele in defence sector
DPIL has an established track record of more than three decades in the design, development, and manufacturing of electronic equipment for the defence and aerospace industries which has enabled them to foster strong relationships with its customers and suppliers. It shares established relationships with reputed defence organizations in the domestic market and has secured repeat orders from most of them. The major customers include the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Electronic Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and units operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
· Strong order book across product categories & marquee customers
As on 30th June 2023, the order book also saw a significant growth, reaching Rs. 967 crores whereas the order inflow stood at Rs 133 crores 2.9x YoY, with orders from several marquee customers in the Indian defence ecosystem, including the Indian government defence ministry, BrahMos, DRDO, the Indian government space organization, HAL, BEL and a DPSU involved in the missile space. They are currently engaged in the supply of products to several prestigious defence projects in India, including the LCA, the HAL Dhruv, LUH and the BrahMos missile programme. In each of the above projects, their products form critical components, such as the launch systems for the ground based BrahMos missile launcher, flight and safety critical “take me home” displays for the Tejas.
Additionally, as per management’s Q1 FY24 commentary they have started product development for Radars, Communication Systems, Electronic Warfare and Satellite from a total fund raised by QIP’s of Rs 500 crores value. This will also boost Data Patterns presence in ‘Made in India’ projects in the country.
· De-risk of business model through presence in space and exports
Strong Opportunities in Radars & EW will continue. Data Patterns intends to widen its reach to other high-end global markets similar to India, where its core competency is in complete sync with requirements for various sectors, such as industrial automation, telecom, automobile (electronic subsystems), medical (electronic subsystems) and nuclear.
· Expansion in Product portfolio
The company currently offers electronic solutions developed in areas including complex 20+ layer PCB designs, FPGA based firmware algorithms, device drivers, networking layers, etc. Further, it intends to bid and engage in higher value projects requiring use of complex technologies. Data Patterns is making investments in AESA radars, modern EW Systems, Airborne sensors, etc. as these complex technology-based products have wide ranging applications across defence and aerospace areas providing higher value growth opportunity.
Q1FY24 Financial Performance
The consolidated revenue for the quarter stood at Rs 90 crores, an increase of 32% on YoY basis. The EBITDA for the quarter stood at Rs 28 crores, an increase of 33% YoY basis. EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 31%, same as corresponding quarter for previous year. PAT for the quarter stood at Rs 26 crores, increased by 86% on YoY basis.
Key Risks & Concerns
· Long gestation period for product development; susceptible to regulatory changes in the defence segment
The R&D cycle of defence products and solutions is long and could stretch for several years. Moreover, DPIL offers products and solutions that form a part of the larger delivery system manufactured by other system integrators with the end customer being the MoD. This elongates the cycle further. The company’s operations are also exposed to the inherent regulatory risks in the defence segment.
· Significant Working capital requirements
Company’s business requires significant working capital including in connection with the manufacturing operations, financing inventory, purchase of raw materials and development of new products which may adversely affected by changes in terms of credit and payment.
· Operates in a competitive environment
Company operates in a competitive business environment. Failure to compete effectively against its competitors and new entrants to the industry in any of the business segments may adversely affect their business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Outlook & valuation
Data Patterns witnessed a strong growth on YoY basis with more than 2x increase in order inflows. This trajectory of order inflows is expected to continue its rally in coming years. The company expects orders totaling Rs. 20-30bn to be booked over next 3-4 years (majorly radars and EW systems). The company’s profitability metrics touched ROCE & ROE of 20% & 14% currently.
Additionally, we believe DPIL is a proxy play on India’s indigenization of defence products. Given its vertically integrated business model, well-diversified portfolio, strong capabilities across segments, robust order book, good execution visibility, strong industry tailwinds and strong client relationship along with consistent financials, we believe that Data Patterns is poised to deliver strong growth in coming years.
At CMP of Rs.2476, the stock is currently trading at 59x its FY25 E earnings .
We recommend a BUY on the stock.