In early February, Roanoke-based furniture frame manufacturer Frank Chervan Inc. will close several operating units at its Bedford plant, a move that will affect about 90 employees.

The 80-year-old company, which established a plant in Bedford nearly 60 years ago, attributed the closing to "rapidly rising health care costs and turmoil in financial markets."

Chervan manufactures hardwood furniture frames for wood and upholstered seating. It reported that banks and other financial institutions have been one of the company’s largest markets and said that the sector’s struggles suggest Chervan must prepare to weather significantly reduced demand in 2009.

The company also operates a plant in Roanoke. It said it expects that many of the affected employees will be offered a chance to work in Roanoke.