"This is to inform you that Brickwork Ratings has placed the earlier rating of BWR AA+ (Outlook: Stable) to BWR AA+ under watch with developing implications to the company's unsecured NCD issue of Rs 250 crore," Tata Chemicals said in a regulatory filing.
Brickwork said in a letter to Tata Chemicals that the rating has been put under watch with developing implications "on account of heightened management risk due to change in top management at holding company/group level, which may impact the strategic decision making in TCL".
The rating continues to factor the company's diversified product portfolio and geographical presence, large market share, professional management and group support enjoyed by the company.
The rating is constrained by profitability susceptible to volatility in raw material prices, exposure to cyclical soda ash business and highly regulated fertilizer business, under recovery of subsidy as well as stretched working capital cycle and the weak performance of its relatively high-cost European and Kenyan operations.
Over the years TCL has expanded its operations into edible salt (Tata salt, IShakti/Tata Sampann, Tata Salt Plus and Flavoritz), Phosphatic fertilizers, urea and cement and its agri business includes crop nutrition, agric chemicals and pesticides.