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Gateway, Inc. (NYSE: GTW (http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=GTW)) is an Irvine, California-based computer company founded in 1985 by Ted Waitt. Originally called Gateway 2000, it was one of the first widely successful direct order companies, utilizing a sales model similar to that of Dell, and playing up its South Dakota roots with folksy advertisements and shipping computers in cow-spotted boxes. It dropped the "2000" from its name in 1998.
Gateway struggled after the dot-com bust and tried several strategies to return to profitability, including withdrawal from international markets and opening a chain of retail stores called Gateway Country across the United States, then shutting down a number of them, and entering the consumer electronics business. By April 1, 2004, Gateway had announced that it would shut down its 188 remaining stores. Last day of operations for the stores was April 9, 2004.
On January 30, 2004, Gateway purchased low-cost PC maker eMachines, in hopes that its manufacturing process would help them cut costs and that eMachines' profitable retail business would help its bottom line. Gateway announced its intention to keep the eMachines brand.
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