Business Today

CAIRO, ILL. -- Burkart Foam Inc. has announced the closing of its plant here effective about Oct. 1.

Burkart Foam General Manager John Current said the closing centers around a substantially dwindling market, and financial problems posed by a recent lawsuit.

Burkart Foam produces polyurethane foam used mainly in automobile seats and residential mattresses.

The recent announcement followed a visit by officials of parent company Ohio Decorative Products.

Currently, Burkart employs 31 employees, down from the nearly 1,200 workers employed at the plant in the 1960s. Three years ago, Burkart Foam employed 120 workers.

Current said much of Burkart's dwindling market was caused by NAFTA. Many automotive seat manufacturers have found it cheaper to produce the seat components in Mexico, according to Current.

Cairo Mayor James Wilson said the plant was in a good location with its close proximity to the riverfront, but there were no immediate prospects for a new business.

The Burkart plant is located on a 500,000-square-foot area in the northern part of town. The building Burkart occupies was once the home of the Singer Manufacturing Co. and later the Edison Co. plant.

Burkart Manufacturing Co. started in 1947 with 26 employees.