Directors Report Dear Shareholders,
The Directors hereby present the 22nd Annual Report along with the
Audited Statement of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2011.
Overview
The global recovery is gaining strength, but unemployment remains high
in advanced economies and new macro-economic risks are building in
emerging market economies. Financial conditions continue to improve,
although they remain unusually fragile. In many emerging economies,
demand is robust and overheating is a growing policy concern.
India has never faced as worst situation as the western economies have
faced. It was just an experience of slower export, bad liquidity
condition which hampered the developing economy to keep on the
spectacular growth.
The Indian economy witnessed a robust growth rate of 8.6% in 2010-11.
Exports grew by 37.5% (fastest growth since independence) and totaled
US 6 bn. Imports also showed an increase of 21.2% and totaled US $
350 bn. Strong export growth performance in the second half of the
financial year has helped bring the trade deficit down to more
manageable levels.
In 2010-11, India'' trade deficit was of the order of US $ 104 bn.
Commerce and Trade Ministry is now confident that the export target of
US $ 450 bn. by 2013-14 will be met.
Further, textile and leather exports would be at advantage of the shift
in Chinese policy towards boosting domestic consumption.
In China''s Twelfth plan, exports do not hold the same place. Besides,
the Chinese will be vacating spectrum like textiles and leather. This
provides a bigger opportunity for India. Indian products would be more
competitive as wage increase in China, as a result of its departure
from its three-decade-old policy of export oriented growth. Under its
new plan, China is aiming for 13% annual growth in wages in its bid to
boost domestic consumption. It has also signaled its intention to put
more emphasis on high-end capital intensive exports.
But concerns remain on increase in cotton prices and inflation trends.
Further, the movement of Indian Government on lifting curbs on cotton
yarn exports has added to the worries of Indian Textile industry.
Also, there is quite an amount of fluctuation expected in Indian
Currency against the US Dollar. The rupee which started the financial
year at an average of Rs.44.44 touched a high of Rs.46.76 during July
2010 and ended the financial year at an average of Rs.44.91.
The future of the garment industry in India does not look bleak; on the
contrary it is quite promising. At present, India is being considered
as the next pioneer country in the ready made garments export business.
Business Restructuring
The Company was operating with two divisions - Exports and Domestic.
Exports Division was further sub-divided into Tops and Bottoms Division
and the Domestic Division was operating under the brand name, Indian
Terrain. The Domestic Division and Bottoms Division cater to different
markets / products. The company sensing the need to manage them as
independent entities for enhancement of their capabilities and to have
greater focus on their operations, decided to hive-off the divisions.
Further, the hive-off would provide greater flexibility to the
entities, to meet the needs for carrying out its operations. The
hived-off divisions will realize true values when separated and also
will maximize their returns and efficiency.
This scheme would facilitate the entities involved, to explore new
avenues and would enhance the future growth prospects for the people
and organizations connected with them. The restructuring activities
under the scheme would unlock shareholders value and create long term
value for all the stakeholders. Also, it would enable easy entrant of
Strategic / Financial Investor into the Companies.
The Company accordingly filed a scheme of arrangement with the Hon''ble
High Court of Madras for the demerger of Indian Terrain Division into
Indian Terrain Fashions Limited (ITFL) and transfer of Bottoms Division
on a going concern basis to Celebrity Clothing Limited (CCL), a 100%
subsidiary, through slump sale.
Further, the Company also envisaged write off the accumulated losses
against the existing reserves. The Scheme of Arrangement is under
Section 391 to 394 read with Section 78 and Section 100 to 103 of the
Companies Act. The Appointed date was on 1st April 2010.
The Honorable High Court of Madras, vide its order dated 16th August
2010 sanctioned the Scheme of Arrangement except to the extent of
transfer of Bottoms Division into Celebrity Clothing Limited through
slump sale. The Order became effective 3rd September 2010.
As per the Scheme, two shares of Indian Terrain Fashions Limited would
be issued to shareholders of Company as on the record dated of 27th
October 2010 for every seven shares held in the Company.
Accordingly, the assets and liabilities pertaining to the domestic
division as on 1st April 2010 was transferred to Indian Terrain
Fashions Limited and the excess of assets over liabilities relating to
the Domestic Division has been adjusted against the existing reserves
as per the provisions of the Scheme of Arrangement. Further the
investment in Indian Terrain Fashions Limited existing prior to the
date of demerger was cancelled and taken to Capital Reserve as per the
provisions of the Scheme.
However the Company did not envisage transfer of Bottoms division to
Celebrity Clothing Limited. One of the main objects to transfer was to
facilitate easy entry of Strategic / Financial Investor. The same did
not materialize and in the absence of the same having two different
entities would only result in additional costs and administrative
inconvenience.
Hence the Board of Directors of the Companies decided to withdraw the
proposal of transfer of Bottoms Division and retained the same with the
Company. The Honorable High Court of Madras, on submission of requisite
affidavits by the Companies and pursuant to Clause 25 of the Scheme of
Arrangement approved the modification to the Scheme of Arrangement.
Further, the Company has written off a portion of the Accumulated
losses as on 31st March 2010 against the securities premium account and
other reserves to the extent available as per the provisions of the
Scheme.
The Company, in the Scheme, also proposed to fair value its immovable
properties on 1st April 2010 and record the premiums under revaluation
reserve. Though the Honorable High Court of Madras has sanctioned the
fair valuation, the Company did not pursue the same.
The Company''s net worth was fully eroded as on 31st March
2010 under the provision of Sick Industrial Companies Act (SICA).
Accordingly the Company filed a reference with the Board for Industrial
and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) under Section 15(1) of SICA. The
reference was taken into consideration by BIFR and upon submissions
made and material on record, BIFR has declared the Company as a Sick
Industrial Company under section 3(1 )(o) of SICA vide its order dated
19th April 2011. BIFR has given directions to the lenders and to the
Company to submit a Rehabilitation Scheme as per Section 18 of SICA.
As at the year end, the accumulated losses of the Company have resulted
in erosion of net worth of the Company.
The Accounts of the Company have been prepared on the basis of ''going
concern concept'' despite negative net worth as on 31st March 2011 in
view of the various strategic initiatives that the Company is exploring
and also considering the proposed Rehabilitation Scheme to be submitted
to BIFR. The Management is confident of being able to continue and
operate the business and bring positive results in future.
Financial Highlights - Rs. In Crs
FY 2010-11 FY 2009-10
Income From operations 188.69 294.09
Gross Profit / (Loss) before
interest and depreciation 3.54 8.37
Interest 14.29 18.98
Profit / (Loss) before depreciation and tax 10.75 (10.6l>
Depreciation 8.76 9.94
Profit / (Loss) before Extra-Ordinary Income <19.51> (20.56)
Extra-Ordinary Income - 8.33
Profit/(Loss) before tax <19.51> (12.23)
Provision for Taxation - -
Profit/(Loss) after tax <19.51> (12.23)
Balance brought forward from previous year (134.63) (122.40)
Less: Accumulated losses written off
pursuant to Scheme of Arrangement 102.39 -
Balance carried to Balance Sheet <51.75) (134.63)
Consequent to the demerger of the Domestic Division of the Company, the
financial statements of the Company for the year ending 31st March 2011
does not include the operations of the Domestic Division business and
is therefore not strictly comparable with the figures of the previous
year ended 31st March 2010.
Operational Highlights
The Company has recorded total revenues of Rs.189 crs with EBITDA at
Rs.3.54 crs.
During the year under review the Company has taken certain bold
initiatives by dropping some of the low margin customers. The first
half of the year witnessed unutilized capacities on account of the
same.
The Company from the second half of the financial year has started
focusing on markets beyond US, mainly Europe which yielded significant
margin improvements. Also, the Company dedicated a portion of its
capacities to Domestic Business (on Job work Basis) which though does
not add much to the Top line of the Business still yield good margins.
A complete rejig was made to the Business as a whole and the Company
has now built a platform with a much experimented business mix and
improved production efficiencies.
The Company has let out its property at Chrompet to one of the
Hospitals from 1st April 2010 at a rental income of Rs.1.50 crs per
annum. The rental income is being utilized to repay the bank
borrowings.
The Company has sold one of its non-operational properties during the
year under review. The sale has fetched a gain of Rs.6.81 crs.
Finance and Accounts
The company has incurred Loss for the year and hence there is no
provision for Income Tax. The company has not accepted any deposits
within the meaning of Section 58A and 58AA of the Companies Act 1956.
The Company is in receipt of Rs.2.34 crs as TUF Interest subsidy during
April 2011. The Company will account the same on Cash basis during FY
2011-12.
Share Capital
State Bank of India, in its Sanction letter dated 23rd December 2008
has stipulated that the Promoters will have to bring in Rs.5 crs in
phases as contribution towards equity. The promoters / directors have
brought in their second tranche of Rs.3.08 crs during March 2010 and
April 2010.
The Company has gone for a preferential allotment of 13,71,326 equity
shares at Rs.22.46persharetoCelebrityConnections(wherein Mr. V.
Rajagopal and Mrs. Rama Rajagopal, the promoter directors are
partners), Mr. V. Rajagopal, Chairman of the Company and Mr. S. Surya
Narayanan, Managing Director of the Company during August 2010. The
allotment was approved by the Shareholders in the Extra-Ordinary
General Meeting held in August 2010.
Further, pursuant to ESOP Scheme, the Company has allotted 20,000
equity shares on conversion of options exercised by employees.
Consequent to the above, the Share Capital of the Company has increased
by Rs.1.39 crs.
Dividend
In view of the business loss for the year, no dividend is being
recommended
Personnel
The Board wishes to place on record its appreciation to all the
employees in the Company for their sustained efforts and contributions
in the current Challenging Scenario. The Company has an excellent young
energetic team
Directors
The Shareholders approved the re-appointment of Mr. V. Rajagopal as
Managing Director of the Company with a monthly Remuneration of
Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two lakhs only) in accordance with the
requirements of Schedule XIII of the Companies Act, 1956 in the Annual
General Meeting held in September 2010. Mr. V. Rajagopal is also the
Managing Director of Indian Terrain Fashions Limited (Demerged Entity).
Pursuant to the Demerger of the domestic division, from the Company the
Board of Directors felt the need for separate Managing Directors for
greater focus on the operations of the two different companies. Hence
the Board recommended and unanimously approved the appointment of Mr.
S. Surya Narayanan as the Managing Director of the Company we.f 29th
March 2011 and with a monthly remuneration of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two
lakhs only) subject to the approval of the Shareholders in the ensuing
Annual General Meeting.
Consequent to the appointment of Mr. S. Surya Narayanan as Managing
Director of the Company, Mr. V. Rajagopal has resigned from the
position of Managing Director of the Company with effect from 29th
March 2011. Mr. V. Rajagopal continues to be the Chairman of the
Company.
Pursuant to Section 255 of the Companies Act, 1956, Mr. N.K. Ranganath
and Mrs. Nidhi Reddy, retire by rotation at the ensuing Annual General
Meeting and being eligible, offer themselves for re- appointment.
Auditors
M/s Anil Nair & Associates, Chartered Accountants, Chennai and M/s
CNGSN & Associates, Chartered Accountants, Chennai, the Joint Auditors
of the Company, retire at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and are
eligible for re-appointment.
Corporate Governance Report and Management Discussion and Analysis
Statement
A report on Corporate Governance is attached to this Report as also a
Management Discussion and Analysis statement.
Particulars as per Section 217 of the Companies Act, 1956
A) Pursuant to the requirement of Section 217 (2AA) of the Companies
Act, 1956 and based on the representations received, your Directors
hereby confirm that:
i. In the preparation of the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31st
March 2011, the applicable Accounting Standards have been followed and
there are no material departures;
ii. The Directors have selected such accounting policies and applied
them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable
and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs
of the Company at the end of the financial year and of the profit or
loss of the Company for that period;
iii. The Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for
maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 for safeguarding the assets of
the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other
irregularities;
iv. The Directors have prepared the Annual Accounts on a going concern
basis.
B) During the year under review, there were no employees covered under
the provisions of Section 217(2A) of the Companies Act, 1956 read with
Companies (Particulars of Employees) Amendment Rules, 2011.
C) The information pursuant to Section 217 (1) (e) of the Companies
Act, 1956 read with Companies (Disclosure of Particulars in the Report
of the Board of Directors) Rules, 1988 is given below:
i. Conservation of Energy:
The operations of the Company are not energy-intensive.
However, wherever possible, the Company strives to curtail the
consumption of energy on a continuing basis.
ii. Technology absorption: Not applicable.
iii. Foreign Exchange Earning and Outgo:
Total Foreign exchange earned
(FOB Value) Rs.16,972.07 lakhs
Total Foreign exchange outgo Rs. 4,520.76 lakhs
Employee Stock Option Plan
The Company has granted Employee Stock Options under Plans ESOP Scheme
2005, ESOP 2007 and ESOP 2007 (2) and in accordance with SEBI ESOP
Guidelines. As at the year end, there are no Options outstanding. The
details of Options allotted / exercised / lapsed / surrendered forms
part of the Notes to Accounts to the Financial Statements [Note II
(10)].
Appreciation
The Directors are sincerely thankful to you - the esteemed
shareholders, customers, business partners, financial / investment
institutions and commercial banks for the faith reposed and valuable
support provided by them in the Company and its Management. The
Directors wish to place on record the co-operation extended and the
solidarity shown by the employees in assisting the organization to
control its losses and contributing for a good turnaround. The
Directors thank the Banks, particularly State Bank of India for all
their sustained support throughout the journey of the Company.
For and on Behalf of the Board
V. RAJAGOPAL
Chennai, 30th May 2011 Chairman
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