More than 60 women who work in the Dutch and Belgian timber trades have gathered for the first Wood wants Women event.

The event, organised by Dutch timber trade magazine HoutWereld, was born out of an informal search to connect women in the timber trade.

“In the timber sector there are still far more men active than women,” said HoutWereld. “However, in the past 10 years a growing number of women have decided to work in all kinds if companies and other organisations that deal with timber, forestry and woodworking.”

Women who attended work as purchasing managers, administrators, researchers, and in human resources and sales, while some were managing directors.

The goal of the event was to create an informal platform where women in the industry could meet each other for networking and discuss business opportunities. A similar event will be held next year.