Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Summary
- Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd was established in 1958 as a partnership firm by Late Samson H. Chowdhury.
- General public holds 36.25% of the total shares; sponsors, foreigners, and institutions hold 34.57%, 18.61%, and 10.57%, respectively. The company has an authorised capital of Tk 10,000 million and paid-up capital of Tk 8,864.51 million.
- The production units of the company are basically two types – primary, and secondary units.
- The company earn BDT 12.96 billion profit after tax (PAT) during the same year, a 22.66% growth year on year. Net asset value (NAV) stood at 69.85 million, a 14.87% increase year on year. Earnings per share of the company has grown 22.66% and stood at BDT 15.35 during the same year. The company paid cash dividend of BDT 3.97 billion during FY20.
Company overview
Square Pharmaceuticals (DSE: SQURPHARMA, CSE: SQURPHARMA), the flagship company of Square Group, is the largest pharmaceuticals company in Bangladesh. The company was established in 1958 as a partnership firm by Late Samson H. Chowdhury. It was incorporated as a private limited company in 1964. The company was converted to public limited company in 1991 and got listed in the stock exchanges in 1995. The company is holding the highest position in the industry since 1985 and it aspires to become a high-performance global player. The company started its exporting business in 1987 and now exports to more than 43 countries around the globe.1 In financial year 2019-20, the company exports amounted to Tk 165 crore, an 11% increase year on year.
Square Pharmaceuticals has an authorised capital of Tk 10,000 million and paid-up capital of Tk 8,864.51 million. The face value of the company share is Tk 10 each. General public holds 36.25% of the total shares; sponsors, foreigners, and institutions hold 34.57%, 18.61%, and 10.57%, respectively. The company employs 9,500+ people. Square Pharmaceuticals has two subsidiary companies – Square Pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ Ltd., and Square Lifesciences Ltd. Corporate headquarter of the company is situation in Mohakhali Commercial Area, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The company focuses on the quality of the produced medicines. It has been successful in maintaining the quality of the products hence it holds the top pharmaceuticals exporter’s position in Bangladesh. The company maintains a team of scientific pharmaceuticals experts who continuously conduct research & development works to innovate new products, improve quality, and reduce cost of products. Square Pharmaceuticals currently produces 859 products. Among them 637 are pharmaceuticals, 134 are agrovet, 36 are pesticides, 30 are herbal, 14 pellets, and 8 basic chemicals.
Production Plants: Primary business units
The company has two formulation sites – one in Dhaka and another in Pabna. The Dhaka unit has st
arted its operation in 2002. During the year, representatives from UNICEF, Copenhagen has visited the site and enlisted it for their global supply. Aside from UNICEF, a UK-based consulting firm also visited the site and commented that it fulfils the requirements of MHRA (United Kingdoms Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency).2 Thus, the company has got opportunities to boost their export potentialities worldwide. The Dhaka site has several units such as Solid Dosage Unit-1 & 2, Cephalosporins Unit, Small Volume Parenteral & Ophthalmic Unit, Insulin Unit, Large Volume Parenteral Unit, and MDI Unit.
The formulation site in Pabna is the first manufacturing facility of Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The site has started its production in 1958. The modern facility has full compliance with WHO-cGMP requirements. It has earned ISO 9001 certificate in 1998. It has several units such as Hormone & Steroid Unit, Liquid Unit, and Penicillin Unit.
Company Divisions: Secondary business units
The company has five distinct divisions apart from its main operations in Dhaka Unit and Pabna Unit. Each of the divisions represents separate business of the company.
PET Bottle Unit
With a vision to enhance the quality benchmark of primary packaging material of pharmaceutical products, Square Pharmaceuticals produces Pharma-grade PET bottle & caps using the single stage ‘SIPA’ branded Italian machinery. The company promotes the products of this division based on Class D production facility and the SIPA technology. Also, the company commits a ‘SQUARE’ quality for its customers, which primarily refers to the brand value of the company. Products of this division include Round Transparent PET Bottle, Oval Transparent PET Bottle, Round Amber PET Bottle of different variants such as 200ml, 100ml, 60ml, and 30ml. Also, the division produces Closure 28MM While Single and Double Unprint caps.
AgoVet Division
The AgroVet division of the company has started its operation in 1998 with only 3 locally manufactured products, which now stands at 73. The division manufactures, imports and markets poultry and livestock medicines successfully. It imports versatile products from overseas principles such as France, Holland, Germany, India, Thailand & China. The company has recently started marketing of the products of the biggest global veterinary pharmaceutical company – Schering Plough Animal Health. Also, the division has signed distribution agreements with renowned veterinary injectable manufacturers Norbrook Laboratories & DOW, USA.
The AgroVet division has a subdivision of repacking, marketing and selling pesticides, agricultural chemicals, and public health insecticides. The agrochemical products include fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, mosquito control aerosol and so on. The packaging and manufacturing facilities are populated with pneumatic controlled machineries, experienced personnel, and adaptable work environment to ensure safety.
API Unit
With an aim to reduce dependency on import for Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (API), Square Pharmaceuticals is manufacturing international standard API in Bangladesh. The facility is located in Pabna. The customers of this division of the company are the other pharmaceutical companies in the country. The company plans to further expand the business in both domestic and international market by capitalizing a project of the government – to establish Industrial Park to produce API. The Park will be established in Gazaria, Munshiganj holding 200 acres of land. The company has received highest allocated 3 plots to a single company in the API Industrial Park. Currently, Square produces the following APIs –
- Amoxicillin Trihydrate BP (Compacted & Micronized)
- Cloxacillin Sodium BP (Compacted & Micronized)
- Flucloxacillin Sodium BP (Compacted & Micronized)
- Diclofenac Sodium BP
- Diclofenac INN Bulk (Free Acid)
- Diclofenac Potassium BP
- Diclofenac Diethylamine BP
- Paracetamol BP
Herbal & Ayurvedic Site
This line of production is being pursued by Square covering following Therapeutic classes in Herbal medicine –
- Anti-tussive & Expectorant
- Hepato-protective
- CNS & antidepressant
- Cardiovascular
- Adaptogen & Immunomodulator
- Vitamin & mineral supplement
- Hematinic
- Gastrointestinal
- Topical analgesics
- Hormonal
Traditional Ayurvedic medicines cover energy tonic, digestive health products, liquid vitamins and so on.
Square Lifesciences Ltd.
Square Lifesciences Ltd (SLL) is a subsidiary almost fully owned by the parent company Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. This entity enjoys the ‘subsidiary’ status and will be located at Patikabari, Hemayetpur, Pabna, Bangladesh. The project is currently under construction and active processes to obtain regulatory permissions from Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), and Department of Environment (DOE) are ongoing. The plant is expected to go for production by the beginning of 2022.
Sister concerns of Square
Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. are listed below –
- Square Hospitals Ltd
- Square Toiletries Ltd
- Square Food & Beverage Ltd
- Square Informatix Limited
- Square Fashion Limited
- Maasranga Communications Ltd
- Mediacom Limited
- Sabazpur Tea Company Ltd
- Aegis Services Ltd
- Square College of Nursing
- Astras Limited
- Square Air Limited
- Square Texcom Limited
- Sqaure Textiles Ltd
- Square Yarns Ltd
Among these sister concerns, Square Textiles Ltd is listed in the stock markets. Square Pharmaceuticals holds minority interest in Square Textiles Ltd, 49.94% minority interest in Square Hospital Ltd, 48.46% interest in Square Fashions Ltd. Apart from these, Square Pharma holds multiple investments in companies including United Hospital Ltd, Central Depository Bangladesh Ltd, Lanka Bangla Finance Ltd, IDLC Finance Ltd, Bangladesh Steels Re-Rolling Mills Ltd, Shanta Holdings Ltd and Envoy Textile Ltd. All of them are leading business organisation in the country.3
Business overview
Revenue of the company comes from the sale of its manufactured products. Gross revenue of the company at the end of financial year 2020, ending June 2020, was BDT 52.93 billion. The company has grown 18.68% year-on-year in terms of revenue during that year. The company earn BDT 12.96 billion profit after tax (PAT) during the same year, a 22.66% growth year on year. Net asset value (NAV) stood at 69.85 million, a 14.87% increase year on year. Earnings per share of the company has grown 22.66% and stood at BDT 15.35 during the same year. The company paid cash dividend of BDT 3.97 billion during FY20.
The pharmaceuticals industry is the least affected industry during Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Bangladesh. According to the annual report 2020 of Square Pharmaceuticals, the company has faced fewer restrictions, no disruption in raw materials supply, or any delay in production and distribution. Therefore, the company has posted stellar performance figures in the last financial year. This indicates strong foothold of the company’s operation.
Square has a strong non-current asset base of BDT 34 billion in FY 2020. The non-current assets of the company have remained almost static in terms of value compared to the past year. Shareholder’s equity of the company is BDT 77 billion, an increase of BDT 10 billion from a year earlier. A closer inspection shows that the increase is due to improved position in retained earnings, which in turn is profitability of the company. Current ratio of the company is about 15 times. Current liability of the company is about BDT 3 billion but the company holds BDT 47 billion of current assets. The current assets’ position of the company is good due to its BDT 32 billion cash and cash equivalents. This indicates that Square has the power to invest heavily.
Profitability ratios of the company has improved during FY20 compared to the previous financial year. For example, the gross profit margin ratio has increased from 49.05% to 50.88%; net profit margin from 36.10% to 37.46%; net profit margin from 27.30% to 28.24%. Export of the company has also increased from BDT 1,491.56 million to BDT 1,653.75 million in FY20, a 10.95% increase over the previous year.
Price to earnings ratio of the company has stood at around 15 times based on audited financial statements as of September, 2021. The company has declared 47% cash dividend in 2020 and 42%, 36%, 35%, 40%, 30% in the previous respective years. The company has also declared stock dividend of 5%, 7%, 7%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.50% in the aforementioned years, respectively.
Recent Development
- The company will start its operation in the Kenya by this year
