NORWALK, Ohio -- A furniture maker has suspended operations at plants in Norwalk, Ohio, and Cookeville, Tenn., effective Monday.

Norwalk Furniture's northern Ohio plant has a work force of more than 500 and is one of Norwalk's biggest employers. Late last year Norwalk Furniture said its 50-employee Cookeville manufacturing and saw mill operations would be moved to locations northeast of Cookeville.

The company, in a statement late Friday night, blamed the suspension of operations at the plants on a slowing economy and changes in the furniture industry. Its sales dropped $8 million from 2006 to 2007.

In a news release, company officials also said it has temporarily suspended its operations until internal issues regarding their current banking partnership can be resolved.

The company said its personnel offices would be open Monday to handle questions from affected employees.

Company officials said it anticipates fulfilling all of its current and future orders in a timely manner.

The 106-year-old family-owned manufacturer of custom upholstered furniture anticipates that operations will resume soon.