Jade/Dynasty layoffs

Jade has slashed their workforce by a rumored 10%.  Included in the cuts was our pal John Chitwood, the living embodiment of the "Dynasty" brand and the father of the "Chitwood" BBQ.  Dynasty was recently reinvented with a new brand, new factory, new product lines of refrigeration and dishwashers, redesigned ovens, new distribution and now many an empty office.
See unsolicited comments about the loss of John Chitwood in the ApplianceAdvisor mailbag.
CORRECTION August 16:  John, who has just returned from RV'ing around America's west, called to correct us.  John resigned from Jade one week prior to the sweeping layoffs.

These cuts may have been driven from parent Maytag, which has restructured much of its business from June with the elimination of 1100 employees, and the merger of Hoover and Maytag into one organization.  Maytag reported drops in sales, a rise in inventory (perhaps planning for the 3 week strike that just ended) and of course a rise in raw material costs, same as the rest of the planet and thanks to our friends in China.
......Yah that would be a job I want right now, president of Maytag.