In 1948, he opened his own business in Moultrie where his sons, Jerry and Ray, began learning the trade. Due to health problems, Joseph closed his business in 1958. Later in that same year, the family moved to Tallahassee, FL where he and his sons worked for a company that

 specialized in custom woodwork.

Following its close, Jerry went to school and became an architect and Ray went to work for Melco, a small company that specialized in kitchen cabinets. Ray purchased Melco in 1962 and began producing upscale architectural woodwork. In 1987, a fire  destroyed Melco.

In 1989, Ray and Jerry made a fresh start with Excel Millwork and Moulding, Inc. Now nearly twenty years later, the Ruis name is once again synonymous with superiority in the field of woodworking. Excel has built its reputation by producing superior products, and doing so under the limitations of the most crucial deadlines. As a certified member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) for both custom and premium grades of architectural woodwork, the company strives to maintain an even higher standard of quality for its customers.

Excel manufactures fine architectural woodwork from its 35,000 square foot facility located in Midway, Florida. Its millwork, moulding, casework and finishing departments are all equipped with state-of-the-art machinery. This provides the company with the ability to undertake even the largest and most comprehensive projects.

Factory finishing and installation are two specific areas in which Excel takes immense pride. It is in these final stages where Excel can ensure precise accentuation of its fine craftsmanship. Excel's finishing department can match virtually any existing finish and provide practically any other its customers require. In addition, Excel maintains its own installation crews, which are skilled in the installation of factory finished, premium grade woodwork.

With a commitment to excellence, Excel Millwork & Moulding, Inc. is persistently improving its machinery and manufacturing methods in order to provide its customers with long lasting, quality products. The satisfaction of all its customers is of paramount concern for Excel – its what reputations are built on.