Since 2000, Serta Simmons Bedding has been located at the Mason Industrial Park, in Falconer.

Now, the plant is closing its doors.

“We have communicated with their communications director, and they are looking at their entire system of plants and manufacturing operations, and optimizing the areas where they are expanding, and in some cases they are contracting,” said Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency CEO Mark Geise. “Unfortunately, this plant is one of the ones that they (Serta) are closing. Falconer is basically a result of restructuring company-wide.”

Geise added that the plant was not under local control, and it is part of a larger network.

“We are so disheartened about this,” Geise added. “For quite some time, we have been trying to meet with them (Serta officials) about how things are going, and have not been successful in getting in the door.”

Geise added that the IDA will work tirelessly with Serta, the Workforce Investment Board, Department of Labor, and others to help find gainful employment for the displaced workers, and will work directly with Serta to proactively market the facility.

“We maintain consistent contact with all Chautauqua County manufacturers, and were unaware that there were any major issues at this facility or company-wide that would result in closure of the Falconer plant,” Geise said.

Since 2022, Geise noted, the Falconer plant closure follows a multitude of plant closures by Serta Simmons that have occurred in Georgia, Connecticut, Virginia, Iowa, Kansas, California, and Ontario Canada.

“In each case the company has stated that they are optimizing their manufacturing footprint and creating operational efficiencies that best leverage their network so they can continue delivering exceptional service to our retail partners and customers,” Geise said.

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires employers to give 60 days advance notice before a covered plant closing or mass layoff. The New York State Department of Labor doesn’t list a Serta WARN notice on its website, and so the number of impacted employees is unknown.

According to furnituretoday.com, in June, Serta closed a plant in California to optimize its manufacturing base. The website noted that closing impacts about 180 workers including mattress-making workers, purchasing agents, and truck drivers.

In 2002, Serta was recognized by the Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce for economic development in the region.

Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, said in a news release that the decision is disappointing, especially for the workers who are affected.

“My priority is to ensure these employees – upwards of 80 individuals – can continue working and supporting their families right here in Chautauqua County,” Borrello said. “We will work closely with our local partners, including the IDA, the Workforce Investment Board, and the Department of Labor, to connect these workers with new opportunities and help keep their talents and skills in our community. It is also important to put this decision in perspective. Serta Simmons announced earlier this summer that it was closing its California plant as well. They are reorganizing nationally, and they are choosing to close in the two states that make it the most expensive and difficult for businesses to survive — New York and California. That fact speaks volumes. Unless Governor Hochul and the Democrat-led Legislature change course and start making our state more affordable and business-friendly, we will continue to see good jobs and good employers forced to leave.”