Dave Saylor

Dave Saylor, President

Born, raised, and schooled in Michigan, it seemed only natural that Dave Saylor would start his career in the automotive industry. But how does one go from learning the trade in Motor City to learning Mandarin in Shanghai, China? Three words: lean manufacturing leadership. You see, the plant where Dave worked as Production Foreman produced pickup trucks at a rate of one vehicle per minute. Even the smallest problems can quickly pile up at that rate, but the company didn’t have strong tools to identify or manage the issues disrupting production. Dave learned about lean manufacturing techniques, effective systems to manage and address business problems. And the rest, as the say in Mandarin, is lishi (history).

With an MBA from Oakland University and lean management training under his belt (a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, to be precise), Dave has helped numerous international and domestic companies pave the way toward smoother, better workdays and world-class manufacturing practices. He says: “I’ve dedicated myself to becoming a better lean practitioner in my leadership roles, and I really enjoy coaching teams through improvement projects.” His career spans multiple industries from automotive manufacturing to consumer and industrial products to building materials, including 14 years with leading window and cabinetry manufacturers.

In January 2021, The Tidwell family named Dave Saylor President of Western Cabinets, the parent company of Woodmont Cabinetry and Grandview Cabinetry. Dave says: “Grandview Cabinetry has a strong product portfolio and market reputation, and it’s at an optimal stage in its growth. It’s a pleasure to be working with Stan and the entire leadership team to further drive company improvements and pursue growth opportunities consistent with Grandview’s strong values.”

There were many factors that enticed Dave and his family to make the move to Dallas, TX. (He will also regularly visit Grandview’s Parsons, KS location.) Professionally, Dave appreciates the Tidwell family’s strong commitment to its employees and its culture of Integrity Ingrained™. “In today’s business climate, it’s rare to see a company offer resources like having chaplains on staff to assist with employee needs”, he explains. “Grandview’s practices truly reflect the company’s mission and values.” Personally, Dave and his family love Tex-Mex, and they’re looking forward to exploring new restaurants in the Dallas area. The family includes Dave’s wife, Barbara; his two sons, Ben and Tom; his daughter, Claire; and a dog and a cat, named Cocoa and Tessa, respectively.

Fun Fact: Dave has been a licensed amateur radio operator since the age of 14. He builds his own equipment and, using Morse Code, has been able to make contact with other ham radio enthusiasts in over 200 countries.