BATAVIA – Sealy Mattress, 1030 E. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia, announced it will close and lay off 174 workers next year.

A company spokesman for Tempur-Sealy did not return voice mail or email messages seeking comment. Tempur-Pedic acquired Sealy last year, prompting a name change.

Tony Cantone, business manager for the Laborers International Local 225, which represents 150 of the Sealy employees at the Batavia facility, said the closure is the result of the company's decision to relocate to the suburbs of Indianapolis.

“They are consolidating a bunch of plants into one main facility where they will have all the products available to them,” Cantone said. “They would be closer to the resources of fabrics and steel. Logically, it would be easier to assemble everything there and disperse it throughout the Midwest.”

Cantone said Tempur-Sealy would be consolidating several plants throughout the country.

“They would be giving up 200,000 square feet here for over 600,000 square feet there,” Cantone said. “It’s just a numbers thing. They’re only looking at costs. The Batavia plant has excelled and met or exceeded their standards of quality and service. They have won several awards.”

Cantone said the Batavia Sealy first opened in DeKalb about 25 years ago, moved once, then relocated a second time to Batavia, where it has been for about 20 years.

“We are sad to see it go,” Cantone said. “We are sad to see our members being displaced.”

The remaining employees are drivers belonging to Teamsters Local 330, but no one was immediately available to comment.

Tempur-Sealy reported the layoffs to the Illinois Department of Labor as per the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The law requires employers with at least 75 full-time employees to provide 60 days’ notice of pending plant closings or mass layoffs.