Gateway to Cut 5,000 Jobs; Shut Call Centers

SAN DIEGO-Gateway Inc., one of the city’s largest private employers andone of the nation’s largest computer makers, announced it will lay offup to 5,000 people in an attempt to trim its expenses by $300 million ayear.

The 25% cut in its work force and closures of calls centers and officesin the United States, Asia and possibly Europe will cost the SanDiego-based company $457 million in special charges for the currentquarter.

The company says the changes will convert Gateway “from a traditionalmanufacturer of PCs to a leading provider of personalized technologysolutions.”

None of the 5,000 jobs lost will be in San Diego County or in itsGateway Country retail stores, according to the company. Most of thejobs are administrative and support positions.

Customer service and sales centers in Hampton, VA.; Vermillion, SD;Lake Forest, CA.; and Salt Lake City will be closed. Gateway said itwill close all of its company-owned operations in Malaysia, Singapore,Japan, Australia and New Zealand immediately.