Oakworks supplies some of the world’s top spas including Miraval (pictured) and those by Starwood Resorts
A massage table may host up to 50 bodies a week and it’s a therapist’s most important tool besides their hands. If it does its job well, the table will remain unnoticed under the layers of bedding. However, if it’s uncomfortable, squeaks or wiggles, you’ll have an unhappy client. But you could probably count the things you know about massage tables on one hand.
A husband and wife team who know considerably more are Jeff and Linda Riach who started the Oakworks plant in New Freedom, Pennsylvania in 1977. The couple learned about wood-working and how to make massage tables while living in a commune which hosted wellbeing retreats. Today, their 90,000sq ft-plus factory and office employs more than 100 people and turns out around 30,000 tables a year.
RAW MATERIAL The 60 different models of spa, medical and portable tables all start out in the raw materials storage area which houses eco-friendly wood from around the world and, if possible, locally. Then in the mill section, the table tops and frames are cut to size, drilled, glued, sanded and lasers are used to custom cut logos. T-nut bolts are used rather than screws which can become loose over time.
Jeff says: “Running the cutting machines is the most intellectually challenging job. It can take up to two years to master the skills which include operating computer control programs, picking up exactly the right materials and lining up the table, fixtures and jigs.”
In the upholstery department foam and fabric are applied to the top part, which Jeff says is the most physically challenging part of production. But first the quality of foam is tested for its density and Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) – the amount of force needed to make a dent. Ideally, says Jeff, high density/low IFD foam is desirable for comfort and durability. AeroCel foam, which is lightweight, contains no fibres and absorbs sound well, is preferred. Similarly, 100 per cent polyurethane fabrics are designed to be longer-lasting and have fewer off-gases.
THE END PRODUCT Next stop is the finishing department where motors and other parts that move the table top and lift it are installed. This is also where cabinetry is added, the wood is stained, the top is married to the frame and accessories are added – there are 70 extras including the therapist-designed Boiance face rest (pictured), featuring water spheres embedded into the foam for added comfort.
If the table passes the 20 quality tests, it’s boxed for shipment to a possible 34 different countries around the world.
The factory staff works as a close-knit team and all are cross-trained in different aspects of production to prevent repetitive stress injuries, and to keep their jobs interesting – the double production line for portable tables can crank out 160 units a day. Jeff says: “There can be up to 600 parts in a single table, and everything must work, look good, and not make noise. It’s quite a change from our days on the commune, but our goal is still the same – to make the best products we can .”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2012 issue 4
Interview: Laurent Houel
Evian's global brand development
director tells Katie Barnes about the
group's new evianSpa licence concept
that's set for a strategic global rollout
Promotional feature: Value Proposition
If you're thinking of investing in a spa development bigger than 300sq m,
a feasibility study – at a cost of only US$10k-US$18k – can reveal the
business model most likely to succeed.
Research: Work it out
Katherine Johnston reveals key
recommendations following a
much-needed study on global spa
management training
Top team: Miraval
The team that created the new spa at
Miraval shared a bold vision as Liz
Terry discovered on her visit
Family matters: The Brepohls
Natural medicine is the focus at
Lapinha: one of Brazil's original
medical spas. Neena Dhillon talks to
the founding family
The making of...: A massage table
Up to 18 million parts are needed for
a year's production of massage tables.
Lisa Starr takes an ‘undercover' look
at just what goes into making this
industry staple
Research: The cold war
Meditation and exercise can
significantly reduce sick days taken
due to colds and flu
Oakworks supplies some of the world’s top spas including Miraval (pictured) and those by Starwood Resorts
A massage table may host up to 50 bodies a week and it’s a therapist’s most important tool besides their hands. If it does its job well, the table will remain unnoticed under the layers of bedding. However, if it’s uncomfortable, squeaks or wiggles, you’ll have an unhappy client. But you could probably count the things you know about massage tables on one hand.
A husband and wife team who know considerably more are Jeff and Linda Riach who started the Oakworks plant in New Freedom, Pennsylvania in 1977. The couple learned about wood-working and how to make massage tables while living in a commune which hosted wellbeing retreats. Today, their 90,000sq ft-plus factory and office employs more than 100 people and turns out around 30,000 tables a year.
RAW MATERIAL The 60 different models of spa, medical and portable tables all start out in the raw materials storage area which houses eco-friendly wood from around the world and, if possible, locally. Then in the mill section, the table tops and frames are cut to size, drilled, glued, sanded and lasers are used to custom cut logos. T-nut bolts are used rather than screws which can become loose over time.
Jeff says: “Running the cutting machines is the most intellectually challenging job. It can take up to two years to master the skills which include operating computer control programs, picking up exactly the right materials and lining up the table, fixtures and jigs.”
In the upholstery department foam and fabric are applied to the top part, which Jeff says is the most physically challenging part of production. But first the quality of foam is tested for its density and Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) – the amount of force needed to make a dent. Ideally, says Jeff, high density/low IFD foam is desirable for comfort and durability. AeroCel foam, which is lightweight, contains no fibres and absorbs sound well, is preferred. Similarly, 100 per cent polyurethane fabrics are designed to be longer-lasting and have fewer off-gases.
THE END PRODUCT Next stop is the finishing department where motors and other parts that move the table top and lift it are installed. This is also where cabinetry is added, the wood is stained, the top is married to the frame and accessories are added – there are 70 extras including the therapist-designed Boiance face rest (pictured), featuring water spheres embedded into the foam for added comfort.
If the table passes the 20 quality tests, it’s boxed for shipment to a possible 34 different countries around the world.
The factory staff works as a close-knit team and all are cross-trained in different aspects of production to prevent repetitive stress injuries, and to keep their jobs interesting – the double production line for portable tables can crank out 160 units a day. Jeff says: “There can be up to 600 parts in a single table, and everything must work, look good, and not make noise. It’s quite a change from our days on the commune, but our goal is still the same – to make the best products we can .”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2012 issue 4
Interview: Laurent Houel
Evian's global brand development
director tells Katie Barnes about the
group's new evianSpa licence concept
that's set for a strategic global rollout
Promotional feature: Value Proposition
If you're thinking of investing in a spa development bigger than 300sq m,
a feasibility study – at a cost of only US$10k-US$18k – can reveal the
business model most likely to succeed.
Research: Work it out
Katherine Johnston reveals key
recommendations following a
much-needed study on global spa
management training
Top team: Miraval
The team that created the new spa at
Miraval shared a bold vision as Liz
Terry discovered on her visit
Family matters: The Brepohls
Natural medicine is the focus at
Lapinha: one of Brazil's original
medical spas. Neena Dhillon talks to
the founding family
The making of...: A massage table
Up to 18 million parts are needed for
a year's production of massage tables.
Lisa Starr takes an ‘undercover' look
at just what goes into making this
industry staple
Research: The cold war
Meditation and exercise can
significantly reduce sick days taken
due to colds and flu
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and
design company with headquarters in
Los Angeles. [more...]
IAAPA EMEA IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Painting With Light By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
