Our Story
CWS Tasmania is powered by a unique blend of technical mastery and strategic leadership.
At the helm is David, a Saw Doctor with over 30 years of global experience and a reputation for precision that began with his 1994 National Apprentice of the Year award.
He is joined by Barb, a sawmiller’s daughter who brings nearly two decades of executive expertise and a lifelong passion for the timber industry to her role in Finance and People. Supporting the next generation of trade excellence is Liam, a fourth-generation industry professional specialising in high-performance tungsten carbide hardfacing. Together, our team combines decades of "on-the-tools" grit with modern innovation, ensuring every client benefits from a legacy of proven performance and a future-focused vision.
What Our Customers Say
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CMTP has been working with David for over 20 years and he has always been great to deal with. David knows his products inside and out and is always happy to share his knowledge and advice. Whether it's saws, blades or troubleshooting an issue, we know we can pick up the phone and get the right support when we need it.
— Dale Jessup, CMTP
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David is a ripper bloke and very easy to get along with. He understands our machinery and line of work and has been able to save us time and savings with his hard facing.
—Will Whishaw, WD Drainage
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David and the team have been very helpful and efficient with my coldsaw sharpening needs. David has been proactive with offering solutions to our individual needs.
— Joshua Woolcock, Associated Welding & Profile Cutting
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CWS Tasmania has been sharpening our industrial chipper knives for many years and they’ve consistently delivered excellent results. The quality of their work is outstanding, turnaround times are reliable, and they understand how important it is to keep our operation running efficiently.
— Michael Arnold, Boyer Paper Mill Limited
Our History
After 15 years of managing a busy saw shop, David reached a pivotal moment, ready to channel his industry experience into building something of his own. In 2003, a new opportunity in industrial coatings opened the door to Tasmania’s first franchise of its kind, laying the foundation for a business defined by innovation and resilience, specialising in tungsten carbide hardfacing to strengthen equipment in demanding environments.
Recognising the need for broader services in the timber sector, David established Sawmill Innovations Australia, expanding into contract saw doctoring and introducing advanced offerings such as geometrical laser alignment for sawmill optimisation. This positioned the business at the operational core of the timber industry.
In 2012, the two ventures merged to form Cutting & Wear Solutions (CWS) a unified business built on precision, reliability, and performance. With high-performance tungsten carbide hardfacing and tailored consulting, CWS extended the lifespan of critical components and helped timber operations reduce downtime and improve efficiency.
Over the past 22 years, while trading names and structures evolved, David remained the driving force, leveraging his expertise, reputation, and customer relationships to sustain and grow the business. With his new partner, Barb, a sawmiller’s daughter with her own family history in the industry, the stage was set for a new chapter.
