By Business & Finance 
Pictured (L-R): Tony Smurfit, CEO, Smurfit Kappa
Tony Smurfit is Chief Executive Officer of Smurfit Kappa, which is soon to merge with WestRock to become Smurfit WestRock, ‘one of the world’s largest paper and packaging producers’
Tony Smurfit is CEO of Smurfit Kappa. He was appointed in August 2015, succeeding business veteran Gary McGann.
Previously, he worked in several roles within the group in Europe and the US since joining over 20 years ago. He served as chief operations officer between 2002 and 2015, and chief executive of Smurfit Europe between 1999 and 2002.
He then guided through a merger with Kappa Packaging in 2005, creating a worldwide packaging giant.
Smurfit WestRock
Earlier this month, it was announced that Smurfit Kappa would merge with WestRock, in a deal worth approximately $20 billion. The announcement was made by both companies on 12 September.
The new group will be titled Smurfit WestRock. According to a statement released by both companies, it will be the “largest listed global packaging partner by revenue.”
The deal will see both companies combine to form a giant that produces paper-based storage boxes, bottle packaging, paper sacks, e-commerce shipping materials, and more.
Tony Smurfit will continue in his capacity as chief executive officer of the new company.
Combined adjusted 12-month revenue of both companies is about $34 billion (€31.7 billion) for the year end 30 June.
Commenting on the merger, Tony Smurfit, CEO of Smurfit Kappa, said: “This incredibly exciting coming together of our two great companies is a defining moment within the global packaging industry. Smurfit WestRock will be the ‘Go-To’ packaging partner of choice for customers, employees and shareholders. We will have the leading assets, a unique global footprint in both paper and corrugated, a superb consumer and specialty packaging business, significant synergies, and enhanced scale to deliver value in the short, medium and long term.”
Echoing his sentiments is David Sewell, CEO of WestRock, who said: “We look forward to working with Smurfit Kappa to build a leading global platform that harnesses the strength of WestRock’s consumer portfolio, presents a truly comprehensive offering of packaging solutions for customers and delivers meaningful value to our shareholders today and into the future.
“Smurfit Kappa shares our deep commitment to innovation across the packaging lifecycle, and we are confident that Smurfit WestRock will continue to lead the industry forward. I’m grateful to WestRock’s team members, whose hard work has made this combination possible, and excited for the many opportunities that will arise from becoming part of the partner of choice in our industry.”
Historic Moments
Smurfit Kappa’s corporate timeline is filled with historic moments. The group’s evolution is chronicled from general box-makers Jefferson Smurfit in 1934 via its Irish Stock Exchange listing in 1964, the merger with Kappa Packaging in 2005, the close of the Gary McGann era in 2015 and the appointment of Tony Smurfit.
December 2016 provided yet another highlight in a remarkable story of growth for the firm and its CEO – as Smurfit Kappa Group entered the FTSE 100, the index of the highest-capitalised companies on the London Stock Exchange.
Tony Smurfit is the son of Michael Smurfit and grandson of Jefferson Smurfit, he joined Smurfit Kappa over 20 years ago.
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