“The competitiveness of industry needs to be on top of the EU agenda”
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary McGann as its new Chairman. Mr McGann is Group CEO of Smurfit Kappa, one of the world’s leading paper-based packaging companies headquartered in Ireland. He commenced as Chairman of CEPI on 1 January 2014, succeeding outgoing chairman, Mr Jussi Pesonen.
On his appointment, Mr McGann stated that the global competitiveness of Europe remains an issue that needs to be addressed by the EU. “The pulp and paper industry is a leading sector in the bio-economy with a large renewable energy and raw material base. 82% of our raw materials are sourced in Europe and we produce 23% of the world’s pulp and paper products. But our industry – made in Europe – suffers from a lack of a favourable business climate in Europe”, said Mr McGann.
“As Chairman, I will support the CEPI Board and team in its effort to advance European competitiveness. The EU needs to create a complete single market and address areas such as energy policy. There is a need for greater certainty in regulation and creating an environment for industry which is enabling and makes business more efficient and more effective. We must also focus on delivering financial sustainability as much as environmental sustainability for industry in Europe”, added Mr McGann. “I believe CEPI has an important role to play in advancing these issues within the EU and ensuring competitiveness is on the agenda. CEPI and its team has a proven track record of successfully representing the paper industry at the highest level in Brussels and I look forward to working with them in the period ahead”.
Gary McGann became CEO of Smurfit Kappa in November 2002. Mr McGann is also Chairman of Aon Ireland, a director of IBEC (Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation), a director of the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and a member of the ERT (European Round Table of Industrialists). Mr McGann joined the (then) Jefferson Smurfit Group in 1998 as Chief Financial Officer and he holds a Master’s Degree in Management Science.
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Note to the Editor
Smurfit Kappa: Smurfit Kappa is one of the leading producers of paper-based packaging in the world, with around 41,000 employees in approximately 350 production sites across 32 countries and with a sales revenue of €7.3 billion in 2012. Smurfit Kappa is operating in 21 countries in Europe and is also the only large scale pan regional player in the Americas, operating in 11 countries in total in North, Central and South America
Website: www.smurfitkappa.com
CEPI aisbl – The Confederation of European Paper Industries
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is a Brussels-based non-profit organisation regrouping the European pulp and paper industry and championing industry’s achievements and the benefits of its products. Through its 18 member countries (17 European Union members plus Norway) CEPI represents some 520 pulp, paper and board producing companies across Europe, ranging from small and medium sized companies to multi-nationals, and 950 paper mills. Together they represent 23% of world production.
Website: http://www.cepi.org/