William Ransom Share Discussion Threads

[graham1ty] 22/3/2012 14:11

This is appalling. Not necessarily for the process, liquidation might well have been the best option. However, the document is a disgrace. There is no information. The 2.8p bottom end of the range is less even than the £3m being paid for Optima. At the last announcement there was no net debt and an implied cash level of £2.3m ( possibly pre expenses). Add to that it has been ( slightly) profitable ever since and there is nothing in the document that suggests there might have been a cash drain since then.

One might guess therefore at £4-5m of cash, which is a 5p-6p distribution, not 2.8p-4.5p. On what basis are we to vote ? There is no proforma balance sheet. All we are told is Fred is buying Optima ? Is there a suggestion that cash is being retained in the business for working capital ? Is it being sold with some of the Ransom's Natural cash ?

I do not mind the sale of all the businesses, I do not mind the liquidation, I do mind the cosy, nepotistic way it has been handled and that there is no transparency as to who gets what: the risk/reward balance betweeh shareholders and Fred

Appalling

[poacher45] 22/3/2012 12:52

Having attended several AGM's this was obviously a big dispute between the family and the management. The management have in my opinion well and truely shafted the family and the shareholders. I took a big loss when this became delisted. Over the past 40 years I have found that it is always curtains if a share delists. Once that step is taken it is too late.

[deswalker] 22/3/2012 12:37

playful - I'm calling you but no response. Give me a call when chance allows.

[playful] 22/3/2012 12:29

I have just talked with the sales team in Bradford and since Christmas they have never known business to be so good!

Don't believe Fred's doom & gloom tales.

[playful] 22/3/2012 11:30

"Like for like revenues for the 11 months to 29 February 2012 declined by 14 per cent. To £9.3 million"

Why? Because they stopped production of their best selling products for 6 months, retailers were crying out for stock but Ransom delivered nothing from their best selling Aloe Vera product lines.

Now production has resumed lets have Optima's numbers for the year to date?

Fred, I am deeply disappointed in you!

Vote NO

[playful] 22/3/2012 10:43

Disgraceful:

[playful] 21/3/2012 22:48

I think the management team know we genuinely care about this business, so what may appear as negativity to some could perhaps be seen as passion & gusto to others...

[investor concerned] 21/3/2012 20:23

Playful,The Hangman why not try supporting what Fred,Ran,Michael and the whole of Optima Team are doing, instead of back bitting all the time?

[playful] 20/3/2012 23:04

Yes, I suspect something is certainly going on behind the scenes at the moment and don't expect we have too long to wait to find out what's been going on.

I understand Alan Sugar is launching a new venture in direct competition with Dr O so that will prove interesting, but funnily enough I'd still put my money on Fred.

[thehangman] 20/3/2012 18:28

Playful

I agree and can see Dr O making an offer.

As I said will pop and see Fred,Steve and Michael at Olympia. My stand is close to the Optima one.
Interesting times in the Health food sector at the moment.
H and B / Nutricentre (Tescos) pushing for ever higher margins / payments for gondola ends / money off voucers etc.Independants losing ground fast.

[playful] 20/3/2012 12:00

Still no joy!

I left a message on Rans mobile this morning asking him to get back to me, so we'll see what happens.

[playful] 15/3/2012 16:59

Still no response from Ran and I've emailed Fred too.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dr O makes us an offer next week for the whole kit and caboodle.

[deswalker] 14/3/2012 18:43

Cheers playful

[playful] 14/3/2012 17:49

I attempted phoning Ran this morning but received no answer from their IR contact number 01462 443527 and no message facility, so decided to try Michael Bath and he quickly responded to my email promising he would ask Ran to contact me, but this was before lunch and I've heard nothing yet.

Assuming no contact is made tomorrow I'll go directly to Fred at Dr O and try to get some answers to our questions regarding results & our long awaited AGM.

[playful] 13/3/2012 16:43

No reply from Ran today so I'll phone him tomorrow and keep everyone here updated.

[deswalker] 13/3/2012 11:59

Graham1TY,

The website has said 30 March 2012 for the AGM for months and a couple of us were told by the company that the end of March was planned. But you are quite right that we have had no accounts for the year to March 2011 so I don't see how such an AGM can take place.

I spoke to playful on the phone yesterday. He was composing an email at the time asking the company about all these issues. Hopefully he'll get something back and I'm sure he'll pass it on here.

I guess quite a few shareholders are hoping that progress is being made in either selling the last subsidiary and then liquidating the holding company or even better selling the holding company outright. Certainly this will be the main line of questioning at any AGM. After all the numbers to March 2011 are totally meaningless in the context of the current company.

Des

[graham1ty] 13/3/2012 10:09

playful

AGM in two weeks ? To approve what ? Have we had any results for y/e March 2011 ? Have we had accounts ? I have not and there is nothing on their website ? Or is this just a legal exercise to sneak one in with 12 months of the year end, but before accounts are issued ?

[playful] 12/3/2012 20:35

Two weeks on Friday...

Waiting on Ran to confirm things.

I notice they have dispensed with the services of Jan Pettiford which is disappointing as she always listened to shareholders and assisted me on many occasions.

[deswalker] 12/3/2012 20:32

A week on Friday ?

[playful] 12/3/2012 20:28

Why not join us all at the AGM a week on Friday?

[thehangman] 12/3/2012 19:09

Theyve taken on a very small stand this year under the heading
Optima consumer health ltd.

Will drop in to say hello to Fred,Steve and Michael.

[playful] 12/3/2012 15:47

I imagine you'll find him on the dr organics stand.

[thehangman] 09/3/2012 16:42

Off to Natural health show 1st2nd April at Olympia I wonder if RNSM will be there.
If so will pop and see Fred

[playful] 04/3/2012 16:24

They currently outsource all production now as they have no in-house manufacturing resource available.

[investor concerned] 04/3/2012 16:10

I was under the impression RNSM/Optima no longer manufactured any products?