Gateway Plans Another Unit Based in Irvine

Gateway 2000 Inc. said it is creating an Irvine-based unit called Gateway Partners to bolster its ties with the dealers and distributors who sell computers to corporations. This follows the South Dakota-based computer maker’s announcement of last week, when it said it was expanding its California operations, creating Gateway Business in Irvine to focus on the business market. Monday’s news comes as rivals are heading in the opposite direction. Many are trying to rely less on so-called dealer and reseller channels and adopt models more like Gateway’s and Dell Computer Corp.’s, which entail selling directly to consumers. Gateway shares rose $2.75 to close at $50.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.