Meet Cody Taylor, the Engineering Manager at our GWS-NC facility in Arden, North Carolina. Since joining the GWS team in 2019, Cody has made a significant impact through his dedication, expertise, and leadership.

Cody went to the University of South Carolina to study engineering. He had always been interested in CNC machining but was encouraged to be a machinist by friends and family. During college, he gained hands-on experience as a tool engineer and CNC technician at a local manufacturing company. Interestingly, that company was a customer of what was then STF Precision. Before Cody even graduated, STF’s former owner and a sales associate visited his workplace and offered him a position in their engineering department in North Carolina. Not one to waste time, Cody packed his truck on graduation day and moved to North Carolina the very next day.

Thanks to his previous experience with PCD tooling, Cody had an edge in understanding how to use these highly customized tools. However, he still had to learn the manufacturing process behind the production of them. Under the mentorship of the Engineering Manager at the time, Cody quickly picked up the nuances of toolmaking, technology, and applications—ultimately falling in love with the craft. When STF Precision joined GWS in 2021, Cody’s talent and drive made him the perfect candidate to step into the Engineering Manager role.

Now, Cody supports and manages the design process for our GWS-NC facility. He leads a team of five engineers who report directly to him, overseeing tool design and driving continuous improvement in cutting tool production processes. He collaborates closely with the quoting team to ensure accurate pricing for customers and works with the purchasing team to source superior materials, streamline procurement, and identify opportunities to reduce lead times and costs. Additionally, he partners with the customer service team to facilitate efficient work order creation and optimize inventory planning, ensuring seamless operations and enhanced customer satisfaction. Since the PCD tooling at the facility is so customized, he and his team really have a hand in every aspect.

Cody was a part of our ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) implementation team, training every facility’s engineering team on how to use the new system. He’s grateful for the experience of visiting every facility, meeting many different people throughout the company, and finding new things to learn. His favorite thing has been the relationships he has built, specifically with the GWS-NC team. He has built several close friendships with colleagues at the facility, and the camaraderie extends beyond work hours, with many gathering after work or on weekends. This fosters a positive and supportive culture where people genuinely care about their work and its impact on others. He values the variety in his role, as each day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn. With constantly evolving technology and applications, he feels continuously engaged and inspired to grow. He also appreciates that GWS is the most dynamic and growth-oriented company he has ever been a part of.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF GWS

Cody is full of passions and adventures! An avid outdoorsman, he loves snowboarding, kayaking, mountain biking, skeet shooting, and camping. Every year, he and his friends—including some he met through GWS—embark on an annual ski and snowboarding trip. This February, they’re heading to West Virginia, but Cody’s ultimate dream is to hit the slopes in Austria, a trip he’s currently planning.

A travel enthusiast, Cody has explored all 48 continental states and visited seven countries. Beyond his annual ski trip and camping getaway to Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, his favorite adventures include trips to Brazil and Argentina, where he was awestruck by the majestic Iguazu Falls—describing it as making Niagara Falls “look like a water fountain.” One of his most unforgettable experiences was a whirlwind road trip from South Carolina to Tijuana, Mexico, and back in just seven days, with only one shower and two nights in a real bed.

When Cody isn’t on the move, you’ll likely find him at home spending time with his English Bulldog, Riley or kayaking with friends.

Interested In A Career At GWS Tool Group?

If you enjoy working with dedicated people like Cody, consider applying to GWS Tool Group. We are always looking for talented and driven individuals to work at our facilities in Florida, California, Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Canada. Browse open jobs here.