Emmett I. Davis, Jr. and Phil Floyd met while working as engineers for Greenwood Mills in Greenwood, South Carolina. In 1954, they decided to co-found Davis & Floyd, Inc. in Greenwood. Realizing that the economic situation in the area was not conducive to growth at that time, Mr. Davis and Mr. Floyd opened an office in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1956. Notable projects included site development for Lennox Square, railroad yard and track study in downtown Atlanta, and runway replacement at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia. During this time, the Cold War was strengthening, which provided Davis & Floyd with work on airfield projects in many locations, including Warner Robins Air Force Base, Columbus Air Force Base, Dobbins Air Force Base, Key West, Savannah, and Cherry Point.

In 1962, Davis & Floyd opened an office in Charleston, South Carolina, which was managed by Mr. Floyd. North Charleston Sewer District served as this office’s first client.

In 1979, Davis & Floyd bought Universal Engineering in Boston, Massachusetts, which also had an office in Providence, Rhode Island. Major projects were completed in New England in places such as Narragansett Bay, Boston, Providence, and Cranston. Davis & Floyd sold this firm in 2001 to focus primarily on key infrastructure work in the Southeast.

After Mr. Floyd’s death in 1986, Mr. Davis assumed all responsibilities as principal.

In 1998, Davis & Floyd acquired the architectural firm of W. Powers McElveen & Associates in Columbia, South Carolina. This expanded Davis & Floyd’s in-house architectural services.

In 2001, Davis & Floyd opened an office in Greenville, South Carolina, fortifying the firm’s presence in the Upstate.

In 2009, Davis & Floyd opened offices in Florence, South Carolina, and Hickory, North Carolina.

Over the years, Davis & Floyd has grown to employ over 200 of the country's top professionals in their fields. The firm continues to be well-positioned to provide professional services throughout the Southeast. Davis & Floyd’s legacy and long-standing leadership includes Mr. Davis, his two sons, Mett and Stephen, and other officers who have been with the firm for over 30 years.