Lumax Auto Technologies Limited — Q2 FY25 earnings call

Call held 21 Nov 2024

Management summary

Lumax Auto Technologies delivered a strong Q2 and H1 FY25 performance, achieving its highest-ever quarterly revenue driven by robust growth across key segments like Advanced Plastics and Mechatronics. The company is strategically focused on increasing content per vehicle, expanding into alternate fuels through acquisitions like GreenFuel, and leveraging a substantial order book with significant EV contribution. Despite industry headwinds in H1, management is optimistic about H2 recovery and sustained margin expansion.

Highlights

  • Q2 FY25 Revenue reached INR842 crores, marking a 20% year-on-year growth and the highest-ever single-quarter revenue.

  • H1 FY25 Revenue also grew by 20% year-on-year to INR1,598 crores.

  • EBITDA margin for Q2 FY25 stood at 14%, with absolute EBITDA growing 18% YoY to INR118 crores.

  • PAT before minority interest for Q2 FY25 surged by 38% YoY to INR52 crores.

  • The total order book is INR1,050 crores, with 90% new business and approximately 40% contributing to EV models.

  • Advanced Plastics segment revenue grew 17% to INR907 crores in H1 FY25, while Mechatronics saw 76% growth to INR46 crores.

  • Full-year FY25 Capex is estimated at INR120-140 crores, with H1 Capex at INR32 crores.

  • The company maintains a healthy free cash balance of INR387 crores against a long-term debt of INR363 crores as of September 30, 2024.

Key financials

2 periods

Headline

  • Revenue
    ₹842 Cr
    YoY +20%
  • EBITDA Margin
    14%
  • Absolute EBITDA
    ₹118 Cr
    YoY +18%
  • PAT (before minority interest)
    ₹52 Cr
    YoY +38%

H1

  • Revenue
    ₹1,598 Cr
    YoY +20%
  • Capex
    ₹32 Cr

What they filed

Q1 FY27: revenue up 32.9%, net profit up 83.3% against the same quarter last year.

₹ Cr · quarterly
Line itemQ2 FY25Q3 FY25Q4 FY25Q1 FY26Q2 FY26Q3 FY26Q4 FY26Q1 FY27
Revenue842 906 1,133 1,026 1,156 +37%1,271 +40%1,417 +25%1,364 +33%
EBITDA102 118 157 125 155 +52%176 +49%203 +29%190 +52%
Net profit52 56 80 54 78 +50%108 +93%98 +23%99 +83%
How to read this

₹ crore, as filed. The percentage beside a figure is the change against the same quarter a year earlier — never the quarter before, which would make every seasonal business look like it collapses and booms each year.

Segment breakdown

SegmentH1 RevenueOrder BookH1 Growth
Advanced Plastics₹907 Cr₹650 Cr17%
Mechatronics₹46 Cr₹175 Cr76%
Structures and Control Systems₹338 Cr₹225 Cr11%
Aftermarket0%
IAC India
Lumax Mannoh₹176 Cr₹60 Cr
Lumax Alps Alpine₹15 Cr₹100 Cr
Lumax JOPP₹7 Cr₹50 Cr70%

Guidance & targets

Revenue

  • GreenFuel Annualized Revenue Revenue · FY26 · High confidence ₹300-350 crores
    So for, let's say, on a full year basis, we are expecting anywhere between INR300 crores to INR350-odd crores of revenues with a stronger EBITDA margin than what we are looking at currently across the most of our subsidiaries and joint ventures. ... But this guidance, which I gave for an annualized number is more for FY '26.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Mechatronics Revenue Growth Revenue · FY26 · High confidence more than double
    We are planning to more than double up our revenue on mechatronics division, which includes Ituran, Alps Alpine, FAE, and Yokowo portfolio.

    — Vikas Marwah

  • Aftermarket Growth Revenue · FY25 · Medium confidence high single-digit
    for the full year, we still expect a high single-digit growth rate for aftermarket in the current financial.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Lumax Mannoh Growth Revenue · YoY · Medium confidence 12-15%
    We are anticipating a year-on-year growth of about 12% to 15%, depending on the OEM demand holding up.

    — Vikas Marwah

  • Lumax Cornaglia Revenue Revenue · FY25 · High confidence ₹160-180 crores
    for the current year, we are still looking at H2 being a better growth driver because of certain new products as well. So we should be for the full year looking at close to approximately between INR160 crores to INR180 crores of revenue for the current year.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Lumax Cornaglia Growth Revenue · FY26 · Medium confidence high single-digit
    And again, for the next year, because we have some order book, we should be looking at a high single-digit growth for Lumax Cornaglia next year.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Lumax Cornaglia Roto Moulding Revenue Revenue · next 24 months · Medium confidence ₹25-30 crores
    again, we are looking at a INR25 crores to INR30 crores revenue coming from there, which would make it viable.

    — Vikas Marwah

  • Alps Alpine Revenue Growth Revenue · H2 FY25 · High confidence double
    In H2, stand-alone H2 basis, we are looking at doubling our revenues compared to the previous year.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Alps Alpine Revenue Revenue · FY25 · High confidence ₹50 crores
    So for the full year, we are looking at a handsome 50% year-on-year growth for Alps Alpine. We should be close to INR50 crores revenue, although on a small base for the current fiscal.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Alps Alpine Revenue Revenue · FY26 · High confidence ₹100 crores
    And next year, we are looking to perhaps cross the INR100 crore revenue mark for Alps Alpine.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Yokowo Growth Revenue · FY25 · High confidence 50-70%
    Apart from that, let's say, something like Yokowo will also be growing at a very strong rate of, let's say, 50% to 70% in the current financial year as well as continuing that growth momentum over the next financial year as well.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Ituran Revenue Growth Revenue · FY25 · High confidence double
    for the full year, we are looking at still doubling our revenue

    — Anmol Jain

  • Ituran Revenue Growth Revenue · FY26 · Medium confidence 20-30%
    but that growth momentum will continue on a maybe 20% to 30% mark over next fiscal year as well.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Mechatronics Domain Growth Revenue · FY25 · High confidence 70-80%
    And mechatronics, as was explained earlier, will grow at almost close to 70% to 80% this year.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Mechatronics Domain Revenue Revenue · FY26 · High confidence ₹200 crores
    And next year also, we expect the revenues of mechatronics domain to double, maybe crossing the INR200 crores mark.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Organic Growth Rate Revenue · next 3 years · High confidence 12-15%
    So if the industry grows, let's say, at around 8% to 10%, we should easily be looking at a 12% to 15% growth organically.

    — Anmol Jain

  • Lumax JOPP Revenue Revenue · FY25 · High confidence ₹12-15 crores
    But we do expect that on a full year basis, this should double up to maybe anywhere between INR12 crores to INR15 crores in terms of revenues.

    — Anmol Jain

Profitability

  • GreenFuel EBITDA Margin Profitability · FY26 · High confidence stronger than current subsidiaries
    So for, let's say, on a full year basis, we are expecting anywhere between INR300 crores to INR350-odd crores of revenues with a stronger EBITDA margin than what we are looking at currently across the most of our subsidiaries and joint ventures.

    — Anmol Jain

  • IAC EBITDA Margin Profitability · H2 FY25 · High confidence 16-18%
    And in the near future, let's say, specifically for H2, we do expect a similar margin to be maintained.

    — Anmol Jain

  • EBITDA Margin Profitability · next 3 years · High confidence 14-15%
    we should be able to expand those EBITDA margins further, perhaps from 14% to 15%.

    — Anmol Jain

Capacity

  • IAC Capacity Utilization Capacity · H2 FY25 · Medium confidence 85%
    So post the investments, I would say that our capacity utilizations would still be close to around 85-odd percent.

    — Anmol Jain

  • FAE Plant Capacity Utilization Capacity · FY26 · High confidence 40%
    for the full year FY '26, we are anticipating almost 40% capacity utilization of the plant that we have put up.

    — Vikas Marwah

Capex

  • Capex Outlay Capex · FY25 · High confidence ₹120-140 crores
    the Capex outlay for the whole year is estimated to be around INR120 crores to INR140 crores.

    — Sanjay Mehta

Efficiency

  • Capex to Additional Revenue Ratio Efficiency · FY25 · High confidence 1:7
    So from an asset turnover, the additional Capex to additional revenue will be almost INR1:7 in FY '25 itself.

    — Anmol Jain

Volume

  • FAE Oxygen Sensors Supply Volume · FY26 · High confidence 0.5 million sensors
    We are looking at supplying almost 0.5 million sensors in the next financial year.

    — Vikas Marwah

Tax

  • Tax Rate Tax · future · High confidence 26%
    The tax rate for the quarter is 26% and is likely to continue in the same range in the future.

    — Sanjay Mehta

Debt

  • Annual Long-term Debt Repayment Debt · annual · High confidence ₹75 crores
    Annual repayment schedule for the whole year was -- long-term debt was INR75 crores.

    — Ankit Thakral

Market context

  • Aftermarket Growth Revenue · H2 FY25 · High confidence double-digit
    We do expect the H2 should be probably by itself a double-digit growth compared to year-on-year basis.

    — Anmol Jain

Risks & concerns

  • Industry Headwinds in H1 FY25

    medium

    General elections slowed capital expenditure impacting CV demand, heat waves and heavy rainfall affected consumer sentiment and aftermarket, and the Shradh period influenced purchasing decisions.

    Management acknowledged

  • Subdued Aftermarket Performance

    medium

    The aftermarket segment experienced flat growth in H1 FY25 due to poor income realizations, a trend observed across major Tier 1s.

    Management acknowledged

  • Passenger Vehicle Inventory Levels

    low

    Inventory levels for passenger vehicles rose during the quarter due to anticipation of new model launches but are now gradually decreasing.

    Management acknowledged

  • Delay in Tata Motors CURVV Program

    low

    The Q4 program for Tata Motors' CURVV model has been put on hold, though it is expected to be resurrected later, with the main product launch now in 2026.

    Management acknowledged

  • Shift in Plastic Fuel Tank Business Strategy

    low

    Tata Motors has reverted to using metal fuel tanks for many models, impacting the demand for plastic fuel tanks from Lumax's perspective, leading the company to seek alternative product lines for its roto moulding machine.

    Management acknowledged

Q&A highlights

3 direct
IAC India's capacity utilization, current performance, and margin sustainability. Direct
So from a capacity utilization, I would say that we have already initiated certain brownfield expansions on our capacities, both in Pune as well as in Nashik, and these will be operational in H2. So post the investments, I would say that our capacity utilizations would still be close to around 85-odd percent. ... And in the near future, let's say, specifically for H2, we do expect a similar margin to be maintained [16-18%].

Provides clear insights into the operational expansion and margin outlook for IAC India, a key growth driver.

Asked by Harshil Shah

Stand-alone business performance, aftermarket outlook, and the drivers behind improved stand-alone EBITDA margins. Direct
So I'll take the aftermarket first. I think aftermarket in the first half, as I said, has been subdued, but this is a phenomena which is across the most major Tier 1s across the industry. In H2, we have already started seeing signs of an uptick. We do expect the H2 should be probably by itself a double-digit growth compared to year-on-year basis. ... So if you see the stand-alone margins with respect to the H1 last year, it has grew almost by 150 basis points and which basically includes certain economies of scale due to the higher revenue in OEM and as well as certain, you can say, the price corrections from our major OEMs, namely Bajaj and HMSI, which were basically the carry forward from the last financial year.

Explains the challenges faced by the aftermarket segment and details the specific factors contributing to the improvement in stand-alone business margins.

Asked by Harshil Shah

Lumax's inorganic growth strategy, particularly regarding the GreenFuel acquisition, and its broader EV strategy. Direct
We're very bullish on the alternate fuel CNG particular segment and a very similar kind of acquisition partnership structure has been done for GreenFuel as well. ... out of the order book of INR1,050 crores, almost 40% of this order book is towards EV models, both in passenger cars as well as the 2-wheeler space. However, we are currently not further pursuing any opportunity in the EV specific component space. As an alternative, as I mentioned, we are a lot more bullish on the penetration of alternate fuels like CNG, and that's why we are strategically aligning our direction into that space and foraying into that segment.

Clarifies the company's strategic pivot towards EV-agnostic components and alternate fuels (CNG/hydrogen) rather than direct EV-specific components, outlining the rationale and future focus.

Asked by Aman Agrawal

3 min read 7 chapters

Detailed narrative

Strong Q2 & H1 FY25 Performance Overview

Lumax Auto Technologies reported its highest-ever single-quarter revenue in Q2 FY25, reaching INR842 crores, a 20% year-on-year increase from INR700 crores in Q2 FY24. The first half of FY25 also demonstrated robust growth, with revenue at INR1,598 crores, up 20% from INR1,332 crores in H1 FY24. The EBITDA margin for both Q2 and H1 stood at 14%, with absolute EBITDA growing 18% to INR118 crores in Q2 and 19% to INR223 crores in H1. PAT before minority interest for Q2 FY25 saw a significant 38% increase to INR52 crores, compared to INR38 crores in Q2 FY24.

Segmental Growth and Order Book Highlights

The Advanced Plastics segment was a major contributor, growing 17% to INR907 crores in H1 FY25, with an order book of INR650 crores. The Mechatronics domain exhibited strong growth of 76% to INR46 crores in H1 FY25, securing an order book of INR175 crores. Structures and Control Systems also grew 11% to INR338 crores in H1 FY25, with an order book of INR225 crores. The total order book across all product and domain categories is INR1,050 crores, of which 90% represents new business and approximately 40% is attributed to EV models.

Strategic Priorities and R&D Focus

Lumax is focused on several strategic priorities, including increasing content per vehicle, introducing new EV-agnostic product categories through joint ventures and acquisitions, and maintaining its position as a trusted single-source partner for major OEMs. The company is significantly enhancing its R&D capabilities, with a focus on technologies such as ADAS, electronics integration, HMIs, and software. This strategic alignment aims to meet evolving OEM demands and drive sustainable growth in the coming years.

IAC India Performance and Future Outlook

IAC India reported a 29% revenue growth in Q2 FY25, which included INR35 crores from tooling revenue. Manufacturing revenue for Q2 grew 15-16%, and for H1, it grew 17%. The EBITDA margin for Q2 was 16.5%, a 150 basis point decrease year-on-year, primarily due to one-time adjustments and price corrections. Management expects to maintain EBITDA margins between 16-18% in H2 and has initiated brownfield expansions in Pune and Nashik, anticipating capacity utilization to remain around 85% post-investments. The passenger vehicle segment's share in H1 FY25 increased to 50% from 47% in FY24.

GreenFuel Acquisition and Alternate Fuels Strategy

The acquisition of GreenFuel Energy Solutions is progressing as planned, with consolidation revenues expected to begin in Q3 FY25. GreenFuel is projected to achieve an annualized revenue of INR300-350 crores for FY26, with stronger EBITDA margins than current subsidiaries. Lumax is highly bullish on the alternate fuels market, including CNG, LNG, and hydrogen, and is strategically aligning its direction into this segment. This move is seen as a significant growth driver for both passenger and commercial vehicle spaces, with the company not actively pursuing EV-specific component opportunities at present.

Emerging Subsidiaries: Alps Alpine, JOPP, and FAE Traction

Lumax Alps Alpine, after flat H1 FY25 revenue of INR15 crores, is projected to double its H2 revenue year-on-year, targeting INR50 crores for the full FY25 and aiming to cross INR100 crores in FY26, driven by throttle position sensors and 2-wheeler infotainment systems. Lumax JOPP, despite a low H1 revenue of INR7 crores (up 70%), expects to double its full-year revenue to INR12-15 crores, with significant shift tower business from Maruti Suzuki commencing in FY27. FAE is set to begin supplying oxygen sensors to a major 2-wheeler manufacturer in January 2025, anticipating almost 0.5 million sensors in FY26 and 40% plant capacity utilization.

Capital Allocation and Financial Health

As of September 30, 2024, Lumax Auto Technologies reported a healthy free cash balance of INR387 crores, which is more than its long-term debt of INR363 crores. The Capex outlay for H1 FY25 was INR32 crores, with the full-year Capex estimated to be between INR120-140 crores. This Capex is expected to generate approximately INR400 crores of additional revenues in FY25, indicating a Capex to additional revenue ratio of 1:7. The company plans to fund future growth and inorganic opportunities through a mix of strong internal cash generation and potentially fresh debt.

This is an AI-generated summary of a publicly available earnings call transcript.