Co-ops opt for SWS cash

THERE is no doubt that Irish co-ops have the decision makers and management to become world beaters.

But it seems that traditional co-op structures may be the biggest obstacles to the progress of the most talented people who work in them.

The sale before Christmas of SWS has raised a recurring question: can “pure” co-operatives — or, as in the case of SWS, companies they own — ever become truly successful household name companies?