Sanluis Corp. SAB de CV: Fast-Growing, Deleveraging Auto Supplier at a Cheap Price
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Today's investing idea takes us to Mexico, where a small company has quietly become the world's leading producer of light vehicle leaf springs, and the top provider of suspension components for light trucks in the Western hemisphere. Sanluis Rassini made its first sale to Ford's Mexican operations in 1938 and began exporting to the USA in 1970. Sanluis spent the 80s and 90s adding plants and offices in Mexico and the United States, and expanding into Brazil. From 1988 to 2013, Sanluis grew its revenues at an astounding 19% annually. However, for most of that period, Sanluis was hampered by a crushing debt load. This debt load lead to a default and restructuring in 2010. Sanluis emerged from the restructuring with a strengthened balance sheet and has continued to reduce its net debt, both in absolute terms and relative to EBITDA and cash flows. Results at Sanluis have climbed to record highs, powered by the strong sales of light trucks like the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado. Sales growth for light trucks has outpaced the recovery in small automobiles, and the trend seems likely to continue as the US labor market improves. Results at Sanluis' Brazilian subsidiary have lagged, but could provide an additional tailwind when and if the Brazilian economy recovers. Despite its reduced leverage and bright business outlook, Sanluis trades at very low multiples of EBITDA and EBIT, and offers a double digit free cash flow yield.
Sanluis Corp. SAB de CV: Fast-Growing, Deleveraging Auto Supplier at a Cheap Price
Sanluis Corp. SAB de CV: Fast-Growing…
Sanluis Corp. SAB de CV: Fast-Growing, Deleveraging Auto Supplier at a Cheap Price
Today's investing idea takes us to Mexico, where a small company has quietly become the world's leading producer of light vehicle leaf springs, and the top provider of suspension components for light trucks in the Western hemisphere. Sanluis Rassini made its first sale to Ford's Mexican operations in 1938 and began exporting to the USA in 1970. Sanluis spent the 80s and 90s adding plants and offices in Mexico and the United States, and expanding into Brazil. From 1988 to 2013, Sanluis grew its revenues at an astounding 19% annually. However, for most of that period, Sanluis was hampered by a crushing debt load. This debt load lead to a default and restructuring in 2010. Sanluis emerged from the restructuring with a strengthened balance sheet and has continued to reduce its net debt, both in absolute terms and relative to EBITDA and cash flows. Results at Sanluis have climbed to record highs, powered by the strong sales of light trucks like the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado. Sales growth for light trucks has outpaced the recovery in small automobiles, and the trend seems likely to continue as the US labor market improves. Results at Sanluis' Brazilian subsidiary have lagged, but could provide an additional tailwind when and if the Brazilian economy recovers. Despite its reduced leverage and bright business outlook, Sanluis trades at very low multiples of EBITDA and EBIT, and offers a double digit free cash flow yield.