The Clorox Co., one of the largest employers in Oakland, announced this week that they're relocating their research and development operation to Pleasanton, thereby moving between 500 and 700 workers out of the East Bay's largest city and out to the 'burbs.

Says CEO Donald Knauss, "We are strongly committed to Oakland. All the business leadership will stay here. We have no intention of moving our headquarters out of Oakland."

Earlier this week, Clorox announced the sale of their automotive products division (things like ArmorAll and STP) to an affiliate of Avista Capital Partners. The sale is seen as a way to consolidate the company's product offerings and more align them with current consumer trends like "health and wellness and sustainability." Thus Clorox's new product line, GreenWorks.