Active Clothing
Q3 FY25 Earnings Call Analysis
Textiles & Apparels
fundraise: Nocapex: Yesrevenue: Category 3margin: Category 2orderbook: No
💰fundraise
Any current/future new fundraising through debt or equity?
- Currently, the company is not planning any capital raise through debt or equity.
- The additional knitting machines project (600 machines) will be funded by the machinery supplier with a five-year deferred payment facility, eliminating the need for the company to raise capital.
- Rs. 60 Crores capex planned for FY2026-27 related to knitting machines is already in process and expected to be operational in winter 2026, funded internally.
- No mention was made of any plans for new equity or debt fundraising during the call.
🏗️capex
Any current/future capex/capital investment/strategic investment?
- The company is undertaking a significant capex related to the rollout of 600+ advanced computerized flat knitting machines under a long-term partnership with Ningbo Shipping Company Limited.
- This "smart knitting" project will cost between Rs. 150 Crores to Rs. 200 Crores, with major investment coming from the machinery supplier side, spread over three years.
- Rs. 60 Crores of capex is planned for FY2026-27 as part of this initiative, mostly for machinery, expected to be live by winter 2026.
- The machinery supplier is providing 5-year deferred payment terms, so no immediate capital raise is planned.
- Apart from the knitting machine expansion, no major additions to printing, dyeing, or finishing lines are planned.
- The capex will support incremental capacity growth, manufacturing automation, technology adoption, and product category expansion especially in the sweater vertical.
📊revenue
Future growth expectations in sales/revenue/volumes?
- The rollout of 652 new smart knitting machines over the next 3 years is expected to significantly enhance production capacity.
- Once the rollout is complete, peak revenue is projected to reach approximately Rs. 700 Crores.
- Incremental capacity expansions are planned every six months, with Rs. 60 Crores capex in FY2026-27 focusing on knitting machines.
- The company aims to target new clients alongside growing business with existing customers.
- Growth is supported by automation, technology adoption, and expanding export markets, especially in Europe.
- Expansion into tier 2 and tier 3 cities for touchpoints is planned, though the current model remains stable with around 200 dealers.
- Despite current challenges in the American market, long-term growth outlook remains optimistic with improving sales volumes and operational efficiencies.
- Real-time sales tracking and digital workflows are expected to improve sales and reduce returns further.
📈margin
Future growth expectations in earnings/operating earnings/profits/EPS?
- The company expects steady growth supported by ongoing capacity expansion, particularly with the rollout of 652 smart knitting machines over the next 3+ years.
- Peak revenue post-completion of these machines is projected around Rs. 700 Crores.
- EBITDA and margins are expected to improve gradually with newer automated knitting technology.
- Needing around Rs. 150-200 Crores capex primarily on machinery, spread over three years, with a key Rs. 60 Crores phase in FY 2026-27.
- Positive impact anticipated from real-time sales tracking and efficiency improvements.
- Growth is temporarily affected by the American market disruptions but diversification into European markets is underway.
- Cash flows from operations have turned positive in H1 FY 2026, and this trend is expected to sustain with higher volumes and operational efficiency.
- No immediate capital raising planned; machinery suppliers offer deferred payments easing financial pressure.
- With the expanded capacity, new clients will be targeted alongside increasing business with existing clients.
📋orderbook
Current/ Expected Orderbook/ Pending Orders?
- The rollout of 652 knitting machines is underway, expected to be completed over a period of 3 years or a little more.
- Once this rollout is complete, the company anticipates achieving peak total revenue around Rs. 700 Crores.
- Orders are processed on an "against order" basis, meaning the company does not manufacture garments without confirmed orders.
- Sampling for upcoming orders, such as summer 2026, is in progress.
- The Rs. 60 Crores capex related to knitting machines is expected to be operational in the 2026-2027 financial year, contributing to increased capacity.
- Talks and audits are ongoing with new customers, expected to expand the order book post-expansion.
- The company currently supplies to 38 countries and aims to add new clients as capacity increases.
