Early Life
Eugene Murtagh was born on June 23, 1942, in Kingscourt, County Cavan, Ireland. Growing up in a rural setting, his family owned a pub, fostering an environment of entrepreneurship.
Rise to Success
In 1965, Murtagh established Kingspan as an engineering and contracting firm. The company initially focused on manufacturing farm trailers. In the 1970s, Kingspan transitioned to manufacturing insulation and building materials. Kingspan Group was formally incorporated in 1975, and relocated to a new headquarters in Kingscourt, which later became its global innovation center. The introduction of its first insulated panel in 1976 marked a pivotal step.
Key Business Strategies
Under Murtagh's leadership, Kingspan expanded globally through strategic acquisitions, establishing over 200 manufacturing facilities across 80 countries. He served as the company's first CEO until 2005, overseeing its initial growth. Murtagh stepped down as chairman and non-executive director of Kingspan in 2021.
Philanthropy
Murtagh served as a director of the International Fund for Ireland, overseeing the allocation of funds to cross-border projects aimed at fostering peace and economic growth in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.