In the mid-1980s, custom cabinet and furniture maker Ron Tinsley received an unusual request from a friend, who happened to be a massage therapist: Could he help craft a better massage table, one that was strong and stable but also catered to the comfort of both therapists and clients?

It was a challenge the woodworker was glad to tackle. Tinsley looked at current models—typically heavy, cumbersome and unable to withstand the rigors often required during massage treatments. He reengineered a new type of wood table—more solid, stable and comfortable than any others on the market.

Word spread, and what began as a side project became a full-time business. Custom Craftworks launched in 1986, carving out a niche for high-end, well-made, customized massage tables that meet the ergonomic needs of therapists and comfort requirements of clients.