Corinne Brever became the third generation to lead Luxembourg's Bois Brever sawmill

Bois Brever was founded in 1947 by Corinne Brever's grandfather to supply timber for post-war reconstruction. Based in Huldange, it is now one of only two major sawmills remaining in Luxembourg, specializing in spruce wood for construction timber, planed goods and custom products.

After earning a business degree in England and Ireland, Corinne returned to Luxembourg in 2007 to join the family firm. For a decade she served an intensive apprenticeship — from bookkeeping to operating machinery to sourcing timber in the forest — before transitioning to lead the company.

Handing leadership from her father to herself was one of the biggest hurdles she faced, and she is explicit about how hard it is to pass the baton. The company now employs about 40 people and reported €10M turnover in 2024, serving clients in Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and France.

One of only two major sawmills left in Luxembourg; about 40 employees and €10M turnover in 2024, serving clients in four countries.

She earned operational credibility over a decade rather than being handed the role at once.

A decade of formal apprenticeship from finance to the mill floor built trust.

Choosing the family firm over public administration showed genuine commitment.

She navigated the father-to-daughter transition directly, which is often the hardest part.

A next generation that earns operational trust for a decade can modernize a legacy firm without breaking its family culture.

Bois Brever remained one of Luxembourg's two major sawmills, employing about 40 people with €10M turnover in 2024, as Corinne Brever became its first female CEO. She continued to modernize the business while navigating rising costs, new technology and more regulation.