BEDFORD, OH – After nearly 200 years in business, The Taylor Cos. announced plans last week to shutter the company after all existing orders are filled. The Bedford, OH-based office furniture manufacturer offers seating and casegoods, including the Paull Group, Paull Group Conference, Heritage and PG2 series of products.

According to reports in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Crain’s Cleveland Business, the company said the recession plus the loss of an expected $850,000 tax abatement from the State of Ohio contributed to its decision. The Taylor Cos. said on its website it had invested nearly $6 million back in 2005 to build its current Ohio facility on the 11.5 acre site.

In addition to the Bedford manufacturing facility, Taylor operates The Taylor Desk Co. in Lynwood, CA, which opened in 1923.

Established in 1816, the seventh-generation family owned company claimed to be the oldest furniture manufacturer in the United States. According to its website, The Taylor Cos. also was the first Ohio business to be Certified Green Plus by the Institute of Sustainable Development.