Meet Brandon Duncan, our Second Shift Supervisor at our GWS-NC facility in Arden, North Carolina. Brandon has been at this location since 2013 and works to ensure the machines run efficiently, quickly, and safely. In addition to his hard work on the machines, Brandon leads his team in training and positivity. Brandon found out about what was then STF Precision through his father, who also happened to work there. When Brandon first started, he was a tool maker on a manual machine but in the years since, he has gradually grown into a CNC machine operator.

Hands-On Learning 

Although Brandon had no previous manufacturing experience, he had the opportunity to learn by being hand-on at the North Carolina facility. He thoroughly enjoys the constant learning he’s had to do in his years at the facility, the opportunity to be cross-trained on many machines and processes, and the ability to train other operators. His favorite part about his position at GWS Tool Group is being a crucial part in the full process of taking a carbide blank and turning it into a custom designed tool, ensuring our customers get exactly what their application requires. Being a part of the 2nd shift team, Brandon has helped save the day multiple times throughout the years. Usually this involves going the extra mile in ensuring the tools our customers order are worked on efficiently and in a timely manner. Finishing the tools and maintaining high quality standards so they can be shipped out on time is where he shines. At GWS, he enjoys being in a fast paced environment, where people are always ready to help out each other to get the job done. 

In the almost ten years since starting at the NC facility, Brandon has strived to grow outside of his comfort zone, learning how to not just operate CNC machines but also program them. He then takes this knowledge and uses it to train others throughout the facility. Our General Manager there, Coleman Owens, has been instrumental in mentoring Brandon as he originally trained him. He appreciates that GWS Tool Group is unique in the fact that there are always opportunities for those who wish to succeed in the company. He looks forward to continuing to work on his team and produce great cutting tools.

Spending Time With Family

Outside of life at GWS Tool Group, Brandon enjoys 3D printing figures from pop culture like Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian television series,  and watching movies with his family or playing video games. But Brandon feels his most comfortable being outside! That means hunting, fishing, grilling, or whatever gets him outdoors. He also loves taking trips to the Asheville Zoo (see picture) with his family. He originally grew up living on a mountain, playing in the woods and building tree houses out of logs. Now that he is an adult, he likes to travel to places like Alaska and the Bahamas to experience more of the world, or Washington D.C. for our nation’s history. Brandon lives in his hometown of Arden, North Carolina with his wife and three children.

Interested In A Career At GWS Tool Group?

If you enjoy working with dedicated people like Brandon, 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, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Canada. Browse open jobs here.