Silva
James Woods
FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
James Woods is a highly experienced strategic leader and entrepreneur who combines a deep understanding of engineering and manufacturing with a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
He formed Silva Global in 2020 after seeing an opportunity to add value to customers’ projects while reducing costs through providing specialist construction, mining and civil engineering products. With a focus on high quality procurement, on-time delivery and finding solutions to engineering problems, he is leading the Silva team as it expands its operations and capabilities.
Before Silva, James amassed over 25 years’ experience across a range of international roles in construction, mining, engineering and corporate leadership. Unusually, he combines actual on-site construction engineering experience with manufacturing and product skills, as well as operational implementation of solutions and strategies across various businesses.
After beginning his career in the mid-1990s as an on-site construction engineer in the UK, he then worked in other engineering and project coordination roles at several Australian and UK-based construction companies, including Reinforced Earth, part of the Freyssinet Group, and Walter Constructions. During this period he gained significant expertise that also saw him deliver a highly effective engineering solution to ensure production continuity of operations at the Freeport mine in Indonesia – just one example of his pragmatic and creative approach to overcoming technical and commercial challenges.
From 2005 to 2014 James worked for Hilti Australia, which specialises in highly engineered products for the professional construction industry. His time there saw him rise rapidly up the ranks, moving from Account Manager for Building & Construction to National Segment Manager for Civil & Mining Underground. In these roles he developed innovative new business ideas, delivered profitable growth, created new products, led successful teams and developed his strategic approach to business, winning several awards along the way.
In 2014 James entered the post-tensioning supply space where he a became a supplier of pre- and post-tensioning systems for the civil, mining and construction industries. In various roles he led corporate strategy, business development, partnerships and alliances, and sales and marketing, delivering an exponential rise in revenues while becoming a leading national and international supplier of mining and post-tensioning products.
Along with his corporate achievements, James is actively involved in developing construction sector expertise as CEO of the Post-Tensioning Institute of Australia. In this role he led the implementation of a ground-breaking accreditation program in Australia, working cooperatively across international borders to introduce an independent scheme that is delivering valuable improvements in quality through rigorous new standards.
Martin Cunningham
DIRECTOR – CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
Martin Cunningham is an accomplished solution-oriented engineering and sales leader, focusing on partnering with clients to improve productivity, safety and quality across their projects and operations.
Joining Silva Global in 2021, Martin provides clients with value-adding product along with technical and engineering support, ensuring that application and project requirements are satisfied or exceeded.
Prior to working with Silva, Martin completed an Honours degree in Civil Engineering at the Queens University of Belfast, then gained varied experience in the 1990s as an engineer on civil and commercial construction projects in Ireland, the UK, Australia and the US.
After settling in Australia in 2000, he worked on construction and telco network build projects, before starting a 17-year stint with Hilti Australia in engineering and sales roles. There he provided technical products and services to the commercial and civil construction markets, as well as sales leadership in the industrial, energy and mining sectors.
Martin spent about half his time at Hilti leading the company’s involvement on major civil infrastructure projects in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. During this period he worked with internal team members and partnered with construction and design stakeholders to successfully provide numerous value-adding solutions relating to connections in tunnels and other civil construction.
Directly before commencing with Silva Global, Martin worked for Wurth Australia, again focusing on providing system solutions to the tunnelling industry.
Max Schweiger
Key Account Manager
Max’s current role is Key Account manager at Silva-Global and prior to this he was General Manager of Building & Products at SRG Global.
Max has over three decades’ of experience working in the post-tensioning industry both in Australia and Internationally.
Max has a degree in civil engineering from University of Technology, Sydney and has worked in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the Middle East.
Max was closely involved in the founding of the PTIA and is particularly focused on continuing to develop high standards for the post-tensioning design and construction industry which will continue to sustain a resilient and professional industry.
Max Schweiger joined PTIA when it was founded in 2003 and is a Director and Secretary.
Matthew Hunter
ENGINEERING MANAGER
Matthew joined Silva Global in 2020 and takes an innovative approach to the development of mechanical systems, product design and other technical aspects of construction providing specialist expertise to help clients solve technical challenges.
Before joining the company, Matthew worked as a Product Engineer at STS Systems in Sydney, designing and developing innovative products for the construction and mining industries. In this role, he was responsible for product development, as well as manufacture and support for new, existing and OEM products, including consumable components and equipment.
After completing a bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney, he then gained experience in the construction and mining sectors as the design manager and engineer.
Continuing with his commitment to ongoing skills development and technical education, Matthew is currently pursuing a Master’s in Manufacturing Engineering and Management at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).