The RNSM announced that it had sold its old factory site for ?8.575 million, which is way above the value shown in the company accounts. It looks as if this will increase the companys Balance Sheet value by approx. 35/40%. The companys Market value (based on the current share price of 42p) is under ?10 million, whilst the Balance Sheet value will be approx. 15/16 million.
This would seem to indicate a seriously undervalued (and cash rich)company.

I agree with that estimate Goal, 75ish was my estimate, nice to see I'm not the only person on money am holding!

Cynic, what do you mean? I thought this company was involved in the health food/ supplements market.. Or am I missing one of your bad jokes lol

explosive, I own a health shop, and the trade i do with optima health is massive... As you said Lecithin granuals sell but the biggest seller is Organic Choice 3,6,9 and Pommegranate juice.....

One day people will wake up & see what a bargain William Ransom & Sons really is @ around 50p.

Tonker was mearly going on what I see when I visit my local GNC, very pleased to know though that you do trade with Optima and also other Optima products sell well.

Ransom(William) & Son PLC
16 November 2006




For Immediate Release 16 November 2006



WILLIAM RANSOM & SON PLC


INTERIM RESULTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2006



IMPROVED LEVELS OF PROFITABILITY

ACROSS THE GROUP


William Ransom & Son plc ('Ransom'), one of the UK's leading natural healthcare
companies, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months
ended 30 September 2006.


Financial Highlights:


Group sales increased by 32% to 17.7m (2005: 13.4m)
Profit before tax and amortisation of goodwill up over 170% to 1.9m
(2005: 0.7m)
EPS excluding amortisation of goodwill and exceptional items increased by
12%, to 1.63p (2005: 1.46p)

Gross margins improved from 40.2% to 42.5%


Operational Highlights:


Improved levels of profitability in all areas of the business
Development of several exciting new products due for launch in the second
half of the year
New export markets with local distribution partners and new Italian
subsidiary established
Move to a new centralised 52,000 square foot distribution centre in
Bradford completed


Tim Dye, Chairman and Chief Executive of Ransom, commenting on the interim
results and outlook, said,


'It is encouraging to see further improved levels of profitability in all areas
of the business. The key objectives that we set ourselves for the first half of
the year have been met and the Group continues to trade in line with our
expectations. Our normal second half bias should be further enhanced by the
effect of new product introductions, export business development and anticipated
additional operational efficiencies.


With the key elements of the acquired businesses now integrated, and
manufacturing performing to target, we are again able to consider expansion
opportunities in both the UK and overseas. The Board believes that the short and
medium term outlook for the Group is good.'


For further information please contact:

William Ransom & Son plc On the day: +44 (0)20 7466 5000
Tim Dye - Chairman & Chief Executive Thereafter: +44 (0)1462 437615
Robert Howard - Finance Director

Buchanan Communications +44 (0)20 7466 5000
Charles Ryland / James Strong / Ben Romney




Chairman's Statement



Results



In the six months to 30 September 2006, group profit before tax and amortisation
of goodwill rose significantly, to 1.9m (2005: 0.7m). Operating profit
increased to 1.3m (2005: 0.3m). Basic earnings per share rose to 0.63p (2005:
loss of 0.15p) and excluding amortisation of goodwill and exceptional items,
earnings increased by 12% to 1.63p (2005: 1.46p). Group sales increased to
17.7m (2005: 13.4m). The Board declared an unchanged dividend of 0.50p per
share, payable on 10 January 2007 to all shareholders on the register on 15
December 2006.


Operating Review


It has been very pleasing to see further improved levels of profitability in all
areas of the business alongside the attainment of key operational objectives in
the first half of the year.


We have worked hard to maintain a high level of new product innovation and have
developed several exciting new products due for launch in the second half, as
well as having introduced earlier this year an extensive range of new products
for export markets. We expect the new product launches to benefit from the
cross-selling opportunities which the enlarged Group provides.


Our innovative and dynamic range of natural consumer healthcare products has
enabled us to establish new export markets with local distribution partners. The
selection of suitable partners and adaptation of packaging to suit local
requirements is time-consuming and can be costly, but it will yield benefit in
the second half and beyond. Additionally, at the beginning of the year, in
Italy, which is a highly developed market for natural healthcare products such
as ours, we invested in the establishment of our own marketing office, with a
range of 60 products specifically selected and packaged for the Italian market.
After a slightly slow start, the business is now growing well. Branded consumer
healthcare exports to the Middle East have not yet reached the exceptionally
high sales rates of last year, but some pick-up is expected in the second half,
driven in part by new product range extensions.


Growth in the UK glucosamine market, which until recently had been very high
through all channels, has become more patchy, although it is still a very
attractive market overall. In part the change is due to a degree of uncertainty
caused by a potentially shifting regulatory environment for glucosamine, which
we are monitoring carefully. Under our Health Perception and Optima brands, we
have responded to the changing market with an adapted and expanded product range
which seems, initially at least, to be showing very positive effects.


Margins in consumer healthcare have seen further benefit in the first half from
the integration of more processes of the acquired businesses. The move earlier
this month to the Group's new 52,000 square foot centralised distribution centre
in Bradford took considerable planning and will realise additional gains from
the fourth quarter forwards.


Manufacturing volumes and efficiency have improved steadily in the year to date,
as we have continued to optimise production processes against a background of a
growth in new contract manufacturing business.


Financial Review


Gross margins again improved, from 40.2% to 42.5%, which reflected a greater
emphasis on branded consumer healthcare products following the acquisition of
Optima, as well as a general improvement in gross margin in all activities
across the Group. Expenses rose by 1.2m as a result of the effect of
consolidating Optima for the full six months, compared with three months for the
comparable period. Underlying expenses fell slightly. Operating margin improved
to 7.3% (2005: 2.6%).


There was a net cash inflow from operating activities of 2.0m (2005: outflow of
0.4m). Stocks rose by 0.4m principally within the manufacturing divisions as
core stock levels were rebuilt following the very high sales at the end of the
last financial year. Debtors rose by less than 0.1m, while creditors fell by
0.3m.


Capital expenditure of 0.3m was within the depreciation figure of 0.5m.
Overall net debt was reduced by 0.9m to 5.8m after the repayment of 0.5m of
the senior term loan.



Outlook


The Group continues to trade in line with our expectations and the Board
believes that its short and medium term outlook is good. The beneficial impact
in the second half of the seasonal bias of our business should be further
enhanced by the effect of new product introductions, export business development
and anticipated operational efficiencies. In the slightly longer term, the
shifting UK regulatory situation regarding glucosamine presents opportunities
and threats to which we shall remain alert.


The natural healthcare market fundamentals remain very attractive and are, we
believe, conducive to sustained long-term growth in the sector. With the key
elements of the acquired businesses now integrated, and manufacturing performing
to target, we have begun again to consider opportunities for expansion in the UK
and overseas by acquisition in what are still fragmented markets. Growth in the
natural healthcare markets has attracted some high M&A multiples, but we remain
cautious in our approach and will not be drawn into over-paying. As I have
mentioned in previous announcements, we are also actively seeking another
suitably-qualified independent non-executive director to strengthen further our
Board for what promises to be an exciting period of further expansion.



Tim Dye

Chairman and Chief Executive





Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

For the six months ended For the year
30 September ended 31
March
2006 2005 2006
'000 '000 '000
Restated Restated

Turnover 17,744 13,426 32,510

Cost of sales (10,201) (7,416) (18,417)
Exceptional cost of sales - (607) (607)

Total cost of sales (10,201) (8,023) (19,024)



Gross profit 7,543 5,403 13,486

Selling and distribution costs (3,598) (2,802) (6,632))

Administrative expenses (2,641) (2,256) (4,994)
Provision for bad debt - - 80

Group operating profit 1,304 345 1,940

Net interest payable (211) (177) (439)


Profit before taxation 1,093 168 1,501

Tax on profit / (loss) on ordinary
activities (561) (261) (780)

Profit / (loss) after taxation 532 (93) 721

Equity minority interests 3 - 2

Profit / (loss) attributable to
shareholders 535 (93) 723





Earnings per share:
Basic earnings / (loss) per share 0.63p (0.15p) 1.00p
Diluted earnings / (loss) per share 0.63p (0.15p) 1.00p


Statement of total
recognised gains and
losses

Reported profit / (loss) 535 (93) 723
attributable to
shareholders

Exchange adjustments (7) - 2
offset in reserves


Total recognised gains / 528 (93) 725
(losses) for the period

Prior year adjustment (60) - -


Total gains and losses
recognised since the 468 (93) 725
last annual
report




Balance Sheet



At 30 September At 31 March
2006 2005 2006
'000 '000 '000
Restated Restated
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 28,701 30,387 29,548
Tangible assets 5,998 6,487 6,263

34,699 36,874 35,811

Current assets
Stocks 7,334 7,623 6,970
Debtors 7,664 6,907 7,616
Cash at bank and in hand 920 105 2,220

15,918 14,635 16,806

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one (8,440) (9,230) (9,521)
year

Net current assets 7,478 5,405 7,285

Total assets less current liabilities 42,177 42,279 43,096

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more
than (4,745) (5,671) (5,283)
one year
Provision for liabilities and charges (668) (281) (659)

Net assets 36,764 36,327 37,154

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 8,433 8,433 8,433
Share premium account 21,978 21,979 21,978
Profit and loss account 6,358 5,915 6,745

Total equity shareholders' funds 36,769 36,327 37,156

Equity minority interests (5) - (2)


Capital employed 36,764 36,327 37,154




Cash Flow Statement

For the six months ended For the year
30 September ended 31 March
2006 2005 2005
'000 '000 '000
Restated Restated

Net cash inflow / (outflow) from
operating activities 2,005 (418) 2,609

Returns on investment and servicing of
finance
Interest received 1 - 13
Interest paid (208) (177) (415)
Interest element of finance lease
rental payments (4) - (10)

(211) (177) (412)

Taxation received
UK corporation tax paid (78) (247) (745)

Capital expenditure and financial
investment
Payments to acquire tangible fixed
assets (278) (112) (662)
Receipts from sale of tangible fixed
assets 9 - 78
Receipts from sale of intangible
fixed assets - - 5

(269) (112) (579)

Acquisitions and disposals
Purchase of subsidiary undertaking - (23,077) (12,569)
Overdraft balances acquired - (521) (524)

- (23,598) (13,093)

Equity dividends paid - - (1,265)

Cashflow before use of liquid
resources 1,447 (24,552) (13,485)

Financing
Proceeds from new bank loans - 4,900 4,900
Issue of ordinary share capital - 20,390 10,000
Issue expenses for shares - (568) (569)
Repayment of bank loans (500) (250) (750)
Capital element of finance lease
rental payments 26 - 24

(474) 24,472 13,605

Increase / (decrease) in cash 973 (80) 120





Notes on the financial statements for the six months ended 30 September 2006


1. The results for the six months ended 30 September 2006 and
30 September 2005 are unaudited. They have been prepared on the basis of
accounting policies expected to be adopted for the year ended 31 March 2007. The
figures for the year ended 31 March 2006 have been extracted from the full
accounts for that year which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies
and on which the auditors have given an unqualified report.
During the year the Group adopted FRS 20 'Share - based Payment'. The adoption
of this standard constitutes a change in accounting policy therefore the impact
has been reflected as a prior year adjustment in accordance with FRS 3
'Reporting financial performance'.


The standard requires that where shares or rights to shares are granted to third
parties,including employees, a charge should be recognised in the profit and
loss account based on the fair value of the shares at the date the grant of shares
or right to shares is made.


The effect of the adoption of FRS 20 on prior year comparatives is to reduce the
profit attributable to shareholders by 13,000 in the six months to 30 September
2005 and by 25,000 in the year to 31 March 2006.


2. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are based on the profit on ordinary activities after
taxation and on 84,335,207 shares(2005 : 60,692,397 shares), the weighted
average number of shares in issue during the period. The diluted earnings per
share are the same as the basic earnings per share.

For the six months For the year
ended 30 September ended 31 March
2006 2005 2006

Basic earnings / (loss) per share 0.63p (0.15p) 1.00p
Diluted earnings / (loss) per share 0.63p (0.15p) 1.00p
Basic earnings per share excluding
exceptional items 0.63p 0.55p 1.51p
Diluted earnings per share excluding
exceptional items 0.63p 0.55p 1.51p
Basic earnings per share excluding
exceptional items and amortisation 1.63p 1.46p 3.41p
Diluted earnings per share excluding
exceptional items and amortisation 1.63p 1.46p 3.41p


Profit per share excluding all exceptional items, which are disclosed to reflect
the underlying performance of the Company, is calculated on a profit of 535,000
(2005: 332,000).


Profit per share excluding all exceptional items and amortisation, which are
disclosed to reflect the effect of amortisation charges on the performance of
the Company, is calculated on a profit of 1,376,000 (2005: 884,000)


3. Reserves
Share Profit
premium and loss
account account
'000 '000

At 1 April 2006 21,978 6,745
Retained profit - 535
Share option scheme issues 13
Unrealised exchange difference - (7)
Dividends - (928)


At 30 September 2006 21,978 6,358



4. Reconciliation of operating profit with net cash inflow /
(outflow) from operating activities:

For the six months For the year
ended 30 September ended 31 March
2006 2005 2006
'000 '000 '000

Operating profit 1,304 345 1,940
Depreciation 538 265 1,030
Amortisation and impairment of
intangibles 841 552 1,378
Share based remuneration 13 13 25
(Profit) / loss on sale of tangible
fixed assets (4) - 14
(Increase) / decrease in stocks (364) (346) 307
Increase in debtors (48) (915) (1,669)
Decrease in creditors (275) (332) (330)
Cashflows relating to fundamental
reorganisation - - (86)

2,005 (418) 2,609




5. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt:

For the six months For the year
ended 30 September ended 31
March
2006 2005 2006
'000 '000 '000

Increase / (decrease) in cash 973 (80) 120
New finance leases and higher
purchase contracts (28) - (80)
Amortisation of loan cost (9) - (28)
Cash inflow from increase in net
debt - (4,615) (4,174)

Change in net debt resulting from
cash flows 936 (4,695) (4,162)
Opening net (debt) / funds (6,771) (2,609) (2,609)

Closing net (debt) / funds (5.835) (7,304) (6,771)


Represented by:

Cash at bank and in hand 920 105 2,220
Bank overdraft (919) (755) (2,670)

1 (650) (450)
Bank and other loans (5,671) (6,654) (6,162)
Finance leases (163) - (159)

Closing net debt (5.835) (7,304) (6,771)





6. Copies of this interim report are being sent to
shareholders. Further copies can be obtained from the Company's registered
office at Alexander House, 40a Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 0AP.



This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Well I'm happy with that.

Nice move today.

Interim dividend was paid today

:-)

Ransom(William) & Son PLC
16 January 2007


Acquisition of shares for the William Ransom & Son plc Share Incentive Plan


William Ransom & Son (the 'Company') announces that WR Trustees Company Limited,
a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has today acquired a total of 172
shares in the Company on behalf of the William Ransom & Son plc Share Incentive
Plan (the 'Plan') at an average price of 54.0p per share. The Plan is an
employee share scheme open to all employees and directors of the Company. The
Company requires that any dividends payable in respect of shares held within the
Plan be used to buy more shares and for the shares to be purchased, by the
Trustee, within 30 days of the dividend being paid. Following that acquisition
of shares, Robert Howard, Finance Director of the Company is now the beneficial
owner of an additional 34 ordinary shares bringing his total beneficial
ownership to 83,290 shares representing 0.1 % of the Company's issued share
capital and Timothy Dye, Chairman of the Company is now the beneficial owner of
an additional 8 ordinary shares bringing his total beneficial ownership to
975,388 shares representing 1.16 % of the Company's issued share capital.




This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

LONDON (AFX) - Healthcare company William Ransom & Son PLC said executive chairman Timothy Dye bought 100,000 shares at 40 pence each, lifting his total stakeholding in the company to 1.075 mln shares or about 1.28 pct.
This is a good sign.

Sold by RHPS causing the fall. Well done Mr Bullford, think I'll hold though.

The market seem to like this news.
LONDON (AFX) - William Ransom & Son PLC said it has signed a ten-year deal to market and distribute a branded glucosamine product in the UK, based on Navamedic ASA's Glucomed/Flexove product.

Ransom paid the Norwegian pharmaceutical company 0.6 mln stg and guaranteed minimum purchases for two years, in exchange for exclusive rights to the UK's first licensed pharmaceutical glucosamine, expected to be launched in the second half this year.

Chairman Tim Dye said, 'The prescription market for glucosamine continues to expand rapidly as a result of the product's excellent safety profile compared to other drugs for the treatment of arthritis and other chronic diseases.'

And so it should goal, this licensed product not only provides revenue but will also provide reasurance to GP and patient alike. I just hope its priced competivly to ensure that similar un-licensed products don't push it out of the market. Very good news from Ransom, I hope to see a return sp of 50 at least within the next few weeks.

Preliminary Results look good to me.

Would Foot and Mouth affect this companies exports?

Natural products getting banned perhaps.

Hello brianboru, it is looking like that to me because I can't see any other reason for the recent drop in the price.

Me neither goal, 20% in around a week, tempted to start buying at these prices..

Yes, very tempting.

10% of the the company 'appeared' to change hands this a.m. (8,800,000 shares) at 39.5 - it would appear to be inter broker dealing but even so quite a lot!!

Edit - I dipped my toe in and bought last Thursday - the F&M scare seems to be over.