“Ted Waitt is leaving the barn. More than two decades after the once-ponytailed entrepreneur launched Gateway Inc. in his grandmother’s Iowa farmhouse, Waitt on Thursday resigned as chairman of the folksy personal computer maker that reflected the rise and fall of the technology industry,” Terril Yue Jones reports for The Los Angeles Times.
“Waitt, who surrendered most of the day-to-day operation of the Irvine-based company after its 2003 acquisition of EMachines Inc. said he planned to pursue investment and philanthropic activities,” Jones reports. “Board member and former Gateway President Richard Snyder will succeed Waitt as chairman. Wayne Inouye will remain chief executive. Waitt, 42, is still Gateway’s largest shareholder, with a 28% stake.”
Jones reports, “During Waitt’s tenure Gateway opened — and then shut — nearly 200 retail stores around the country and slipped from being a profitable, competitive player in the PC business to a money-losing also-ran. Under Inouye, the company has laid off thousands of people and shored up its finances. ‘It was a great ride,’ Waitt said, ‘a great 20 years.'”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Sorry for the double-entendre, but, “Moo.”
(Long-time MacDailyNews Readers know about the now-mandatory use of the word “beleaguered” when Gateway is mentioned. More info in the aritcle, “Beleaguered Gateway puts on a happy face,” which also contains what is believed to be the first recorded use of “moo” on MDN. We have a little less than 3 years left, December 16, 2008, before we officially check in to take measure of beleaguered Gateway, if it even exists.)
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Beleaguered Gateway announces ‘iPod Photo killer’ (with image) – October 28, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway launches ‘iMac G5 killer’ – September 21, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway to ditch consumer electronics to focus on PC box assembly – September 13, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway cuts another 1,500 jobs; has cut 22,600 jobs in last four years – April 30, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway grinds up customer and spits him out unsatisfied – April 02, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway closes all retail stores; Apple poised to open 77th outlet – April 01, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway to axe over 2,000 jobs in next few months – March 03, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway to buy eMachines; combo could be 3rd largest Wintel box assembler – January 31, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway cuts more jobs; closes Virginia manufacturing plant – September 03, 2003
Beleaguered Gateway puts on a happy face – December 16, 2002
Beleaguered Gateway desperately circling the drain – September 25, 2002
This is annoying
Every time i get the chance for a first post, its something really boring that isnt important.
Realistically gateway rnt gonna last very long, theres nothing special about them, and they are just gonna lose out to Dell.
O well, big deal
a friend has a gateway and he’s very happy with it.
It may have been MDN that first used moo, but it was donnie that made it famous. Sort of like Apple and MP3 players.
Poor old Gateway. Moo-hoo.
My father in-law has a Gateway and it’s a piece of junk. Power cuts on and off for no reason. Something internal.
absentminded- Of course he is…they’re ALL the same. The only thing that puts Dell ahead of anyone else (including that small computer repair company down on the corner) is mindshare.
Chris- Could/would be the same with any other brand (including Apple). He needs to get it fixed.
I’d much rather see a market full of 50-100 also-rans. It would be much easier for Apple to wedge their way in. Divide up the share from a couple of the bigger players, and all of a sudden Apple is the largest computer manufacturer on the planet.
Poor Teddy, he’ll be joining me in retirement I guess…
I like to use the term “beleaguered” in juxtaposition with Microsoft, too.
I’d take a gateway over a dell ANY day if I had to have a PC Laptop. Dell laptops and desktops are garbage..
(Mr. Burn’s) “Excellent.”
It is not that long ago that Apple had to shut down, thanks to a clever acting Steve Jobs and Co. Apple is save now. Do not celebrate other firms who are in trouble, tomorrow you might be the victim.
This is no MAC news.
Say what you want (and you’d probably be right), but at least Ted/Gateway is still the main sponsor of the big annual free music concert in my town (I live near Gateway in SD). This year I get to see The Black Crowes and Robert Randolph and the Family Band (among others) on his dime…AND it’s only about four blocks from my house! Yea me!
Did I miss something? When did Apple shut down?
“It is not that long ago that Apple had to shut down”
Yes, please tell us all when did that ever occur?
I don’t remember Apple ever shutting down, they came close to it but never actually did.
JB.. those kinds of comments are so cute.. the poster will probably never return to MDN, fearing that he will be asked…”What were you talking about when you said Apple shut down …?”
Nice knowin ya Harry..
Apple has never even been “close” to shutting down. What are you smoking?
As as a company, Apple has ALWAYS had an extemely low debt-to-income ratio (they’ve been debt free for years). Companies close operations when they can’t pay their bills and their employees.
Apple has NEVER been anywhere remotely NEAR that point. Please obtain clues.