Triad.

• Position: Regional Report

GREENSBORO -- The city will likely lose nearly half of Oakwood Homes' 575 jobs after Clayton Homes, part of Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire Hathaway, buys the bankrupt mobile-home maker for $373 million. The deal is expected to close this month. Clayton plans to keep about 300 jobs in Greensboro and retain at least 80% of Oakwood's 4,700 workers.

REIDSVILLE -- Germany-based Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems is spending $7.5 million to expand its plant here. The expansion is expected to add 142 jobs by the end of 2005 to the 368 here. The company makes rubber door and window seals for automobiles.

WINSTON-SALEM -- Liberty, Mo.-based Ferrellgas, one of the nation's largest propane dealers, agreed to buy Blue Rhino, which runs propane-cylinder exchanges at 29,000 stores nationwide, for $340 million. Blue Rhino would continue to operate under its trade name and would keep its headquarters here.

GREENSBORO -- Pierce Homes of Carolina wants to build a $67 million subdivision in eastern Guilford County. It will include 450 homes on 182 acres. Construction is expected to start in early 2005.

WINSTON-SALEM -- Illinois-based Inland Retail Real Estate Trust bought the finished portion of Oak Summit...