On May 12, 2008 the Jacksonville City Center invited the local A&D community to take a sneak peak at The Rulon Company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The staff at The Rulon Company was so generous to invite IIDA to come take a tour of their brand new facility in St. Augustine.  Not only did our professional designers earn a CEU (Continuing Education Unit) by having our tour at Rulon, attendees received a full factory tour to see how the finest wood ceilings in the world are manufactured. The tour included Rulon’s state-of-the-art, 85,000 square foot corporate headquarters and saw how they manufacture award winning products, cutting edge production techniques, which provide customers with a long-lasting durable finish without the use of urea or formaldehyde. The finishing process is entirely water-based and does not release any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the environment. Over 25 designers, reps and A&D colleagues attended the manufacturing tour held by the large staff members at Rulon.  Attendance from designers, local manufactures representatives, architects and Rulon employees.  Companies that were represented included Rink Design, Fusion Design, Commercial Interiors, DesignLoft, Gresham Smith & Partners and RS&H just to name a few. The evening started out with a casual social/networking gathering with wonderful food provided by the Rulon chef’s with appetizers and cocktails.  The CEO, Wayne Robison, and project architect, Eric Highsmith then introduced their staff to IIDA along with a brief presentation about the facility and the architect and designer who helped create the beautiful environment, Duane Kozachenko and Larry Wilson of Rink Design Partnership here in Jacksonville. Rulon divided the IIDA members into several groups to tour the facility.  Every tour guide gave an enthusiastic and fun behind the scenes look at what it’s like to work at Rulon and be a part of this exciting manufacturing facility. IIDA members were able to earn Continuing Education Credits by attending the event as well! IIDA would like to extend a huge thank you to The Rulon Company and their staff employees who took the time to be so hospitable to IIDA!  This tour is one that we won’t forget!