The book shows Michael's 'logical opportunism' in action, and explains how the Smurfit culture and systems provided a world-beating competitive advantage. 'It is up to others to judge how well I have done in life, but I believe that I grasped with both hands the challenge I was given as a young man and, in so doing, I honoured to the best of my ability, the legacy that was left to me by my father. All in all, I can honestly say that it's been a life worth living.' Michael Smurfit Michael's life outside Smurfit - his chairmanship of the Racing Board and of Telecom Eireann; his interest in horseracing; and his ownership of The K Club and the triumph that was the Ryder Cup 2006 - all feature, alongside his love and commitment to his family.
A Life Worth Living: The Autobiography
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Author Description
Born in St Helens, Lancashire in August 1936, Michael Smurfit joined his father's business, Jefferson Smurfit & Sons Ltd. in Dublin, straight from school to learn the papermaking business 'from the bottom up'. Two years after the company floated on the Irish Stock Exchange, Michael and his brother Jeff became Joint Managing Directors, as Jefferson Senior took on the role of Chairman and Chief Executive. Then followed 30 years of acquistions, as the Jefferson Smurfit Group became Ireland's first multinational company and one of the largest paper and packaging companies in the world. In 2002, Michael took the Smurfit Group private, retiring as CEO but remaining Chairman. In this role, he steered a merger with Kappa Packaging BV, which successfully refloated in 2007 as Smurfit Kappa Group.