Bernz-o-matic, the blow­torch com­pany now owned by Newell-Rubbermaid, recently laid off the 200 employ­ees who make its hand­held torches. They are clos­ing their plant and mov­ing all their pro­duc­tion to a con­trac­tor in China. It is a shame—I really liked their prod­ucts and I use them all the time.