The Herlihy Centra Supermarket Group and Ó Crualaoí’s Butchers and Delicatessans, both with outlets in Fermoy, are among eight Cork based companies in the running for ‘best managed company’ awards in a competition organised annually by business advisory firm, Deloitte in association with Barclays. The awards will be presented in March next year.

It’s Herlihy’s Centra’s fourth time to be shortlisted, they’ve won three years in a row. To qualify this time they had to start from scratch with a whole new application process.

“It’s an audit of management systems with a focus on the financial side,” Brian Herlihy explained. “It’s vindication that we are doing the right thing. It’s still a difficult trading environment but we know we’re on track with our management systems. We employ 200 people across our six stores and it’s a real big credit to them in managing those systems. It’s super news,” he said.

It’s Ó Crualaoí’s first time to enter and MD Francis Twohig is delighted they’ve been shortlisted. “It’s recognition that, we are managing and growing the business through these tough economic times. It’s a nice privilege to be shortlisted and with the other Cork companies, it’s nice to put Cork on the map. It’s especially good for SME’s to get recognition when they are being well managed,” he said.

Ó Crualaoí’s employ over 100 staff in total, the bulk of them in their five shops which all have their own managers, most of them local to the store they manage. “We would employ a good management structure,” Francis points out.

Herlihy’s Centra and Ó Crualaoí’s now face an in-depth review by the judging panel of every aspect of their operations. Each must demonstrate how their organisation is meeting its strategic objectives and adding value to the business. Companies will work closely with coaches from Deloitte and Barclays during the process and will receive valuable customised feedback.