Matt Hillyer serves as Vice President of Manufacturing and Engineering for Taylor Machine Works, Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Mississippi. In this role, he provides strategic leadership across engineering, manufacturing engineering, operations, and supply chain functions, supporting the development, testing, certification, and production of the company’s extensive portfolio of more than 100 global models of powered industrial trucks. These products include forklifts, intermodal container handlers, tow-tractors, and a wide range of specialty equipment used in demanding industrial environments.
A thirty-year veteran of Taylor Machine Works, Matt has served in multiple engineering and leadership roles that have shaped the company’s technological growth. Prior to his promotion to Vice President in 2024, he served as Director of Engineering, where he led all product development and design engineering activities. He previously held positions including Assistant Chief Engineer, Product Assurance Manager, Project Engineer, and Design Engineer, contributing across research and development, testing, production support, certification, and aftermarket engineering services. His long tenure reflects a deep commitment to advancing equipment performance, safety, and reliability for Taylor’s global customer base.
Matt holds several patents in material‑handling equipment attachments and pedestrian safety systems, strengthening the company’s reputation for engineering innovation. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Mississippi and a proud graduate of Mississippi State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1995. Matt continues to provide guidance, mentorship, and continuing education to future MSU engineers through close connections with the MSU mechanical engineering department.
Throughout his career, Matt has been dedicated not only to engineering excellence but also to the growth of engineering teams and the development of future technical leaders within the organization. His work supports Taylor Machine Works’ 100-year-long mission to engineer and build industry‑leading heavy equipment for ports, industrial, heavy metals, forestry, military, and logistics operations worldwide.
Matt resides in Louisville, Mississippi.
