Company profile
Power Mech Projects Limited (PMPL), incorporated in 1999 is a Hyderabad based company promoted by Mr. Sajja Kishore Babu (Chairman and Managing Director). The company primarily provides engineering and construction services with a focus on the power and infrastructure sector.
PMPL has diversified its operations across a range of sectors like Railways, Transmission & Distribution (Electrical), Flue Gas Desulphurization, Mining, Steel and Process Industry Refinery, Hydro projects, Manufacturing, Cross Country Pipe Laying civil works and operations & maintenance of power plants etc. PMPL has executed major projects across India for various clients such as Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), NTPC Limited, independent power producers (IPPs), and state generation utilities. The company also has a presence in Middle East, South Asia, and Africa via subsidiaries and Joint Ventures.
Investment Rationale
Established track record of operations
Power Mech Projects Ltd. (POWM) is a leading infrastructure construction company based in Hyderabad with a global presence. PMPL has a track record of close to two decades as the erection, testing, and commissioning of boilers, turbines, and generators (ETCBTG) and balance of plant (BoP), civil work, and operations & maintenance of power plants. The company was involved in ETCBTG projects for the first two ultra-mega power projects (UMPPs) (Mundra &Sasan) as well as for 19 other supercritical power projects in the country. Recently, the company was awarded EPC works for FGD projects in the power plants of Adani Group. PMPL also provides services in non-power segments such as Railways, Transmission & Distribution, Petrochemicals, Piping & Electrical, Desalination plants, Roads, Water Supply, Development of Industrial Buildings, etc.
A robust order book provides future visibility
PMPL was awarded 5 orders from Adani Group in August 2022 amounting to Rs.6,163 crore for the implementation of a wet limestone-based Flue Gas Desulphurization system on an Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis. The projects are expected to be completed in 18-30 months from the effective date with a performance guarantee period of additional 3 months post-commissioning of the project. With the company’s prior experience in the power segment works, it is well positioned to effectively execute the large sized work orders in a timely manner.
The management counts on the FGD project to contribute to the top line by Q4FY23 and a total of Rs.400cr is to be added to the year from the project. The MDO order from Coal India is anticipated to begin in Q4FY24. The company has currently received Rs.774cr worth of orders in Q2Fy23 and has a projection of adding Rs.300cr worth of orders over the coming quarters. Strong order inflow is expected in erection, O&M, and civil segments. Furthermore, the company is taking efforts to improve the Electrical business segment. The current order book stands at Rs.24,076cr (including the MDO order of Rs.9,294cr).
Steady revenue contribution from relatively higher margin O&M segment
PMPL is one of the largest O&M service providers in India with 112 ongoing projects including 44 AMCs and 11 overseas projects. The company has been focusing on the O&M segment for power/water pipeline projects which provides a stable revenue stream and has higher margins. The O&M revenue has been increasing over the years and during the past 5 years, the revenue from the O&M segment has grown at a CAGR of 12% having improved from Rs.518 crore during FY18 to Rs.805 crore during FY22. The O&M segment on average contributes about 30% of Total Operating Income (TOI) and offers relatively better profitability.
Growth in the scale of operations during FY22 and H1FY23
With the improvement in the pace of order execution post Covid-19, the performance of the company improved significantly marked by growth in total operating income to Rs.2,720 cr during FY22 from Rs.1,893 cr during FY21 (y-o-y growth of ~44%). Due to better absorption of royalty charges and fixed expenses, the PBILDT margin of the company improved by 830bps to 10.99% (2.69% during FY21). The company reported robust performance in H1FY23 with growth in revenue and PBILDT by almost 30% each (on a y-o-y basis) backed by timely execution of work orders in hand.
Q2FY23 Financial Performance
The company reported its highest-ever revenues of Rs.771cr in Q2FY23, which was 43% higher than the previous year. The domestic business contributed 87%, while overseas business contributed 13%. The performance was primarily fuelled by strong execution across all segments. Growth in segment revenues boosted top-line growth, with Erection/O&M/Civil showing a 52%/20%/66% increase when compared to Q2 FY22.
EBITDA witnessed a strong growth of 50% YoY to Rs.87 cr on the back of healthy revenue growth. EBITDA Margins stood at 11.2%. PAT recorded a robust growth of 58% to Rs.43 cr as against Rs.27 cr clocked in the same quarter of the previous fiscal reflecting strong growth across all parameters.
Key Risks & Concerns
Working capital-intensive nature of operations - The business operation of the company is undergoing a radical transformation with huge work orders which needs to be adequately complemented by the capital base. The promoter fund infusion of Rs.50 crore, interest-free mobilization advance for FGD orders, and improved collection period is expected to support the working capital requirements going forward. However, any unexpected slowdown in work and/or increased cost may result in enhanced working capital intensity.
Presence in a highly fragmented and competitive construction industry - PMPL operates in the intensely competitive construction industry wherein projects are awarded based onthe relevant experience of the bidder, financial capability, and the most attractive bid price. The high competition in the construction industry is due to the presence of many small and medium players resulting in aggressive bidding which exerts pressure on the margins.
Delayed execution - Delayed execution of large-sized work orders by the company could materially impact the financial performance.
Outlook & Valuation
We believe the company’s focus on expansion to new areas in Railways, Water Projects, Roads, Coal Mining, Electrical, Urban Infrastructure projects, etc. will help to sustain revenue growth going forward.
With a robust order pipeline, strong execution across most of the verticals, efforts to enhance the Electrical business segment, focus on the high-margin O&M segment, and a healthy balance sheet we believe that the company’s margin and profitability to improve in the coming quarters.
At a CMP of Rs.2090, the stock is trading at 22x FY22 (EPS of Rs.94.48) and we recommend a BUY on the stock.