MPC Corporation

MPC Corporation

Company type	Public (formerly)
Industry	Computer hardware
Predecessor	Micron Electronics Inc.
Founded	1995
Founder	Micron Technology (as division)
Defunct	2008
Fate	Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, ceased operations
Headquarters	Nampa, Idaho , United States
Area served	United States (federal, state, and local government, education, SMBs, individual consumers)
Key people	Joel Kocher (CEO), John Yeros (CEO)
Products	Desktops, laptops, servers, related services
Number of employees	198 (147 laid off, 51 retained in December 2008)
Parent	Micron Technology (until spin-off in 2001), later Gores Technology Group

MPC Corporation was a computer hardware enterprise based in Nampa, Idaho, United States. The company focused on manufacturing desktops, laptops, servers, and providing associated services, catering to federal, state, and local government sectors, educational institutions, small to medium-sized enterprises, as well as individual consumers. Established in 1995 under the name Micron Electronics Inc., it originally functioned as a division of semiconductor producer Micron Technology before becoming an independent entity through a spin-off in 2001.

On November 7, 2008, MPC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, soon after its common shares were removed from the NYSE Alternext U.S. exchange (previously known as the American Stock Exchange). By the end of December 2008, the company had halted all operations following unsuccessful restructuring attempts.

History

MPC Computers was created in 1995 through the consolidation of ZEOS International, Micron Computer, and Micron Custom Manufacturing. Initially operating as Micron Electronics Inc., it marketed consumer and business computer systems under the Micron brand. Under the leadership of CEO Joel Kocher, the firm broadened its scope into web hosting by acquiring HostPro (Web.com) in 1999.

In June 2001, Gores Technology Group purchased MicronPC from Micron Technology in an all-stock transaction. The organization adopted the name MPC Computers in December 2002.

July 2005 saw a merger between application acceleration firm HyperSpace Communications Inc. and MPC Computers via a stock exchange deal, allowing MPC to become publicly listed without undergoing a traditional initial public offering. MPC traded on the NYSE Alternext US with ticker symbol MPZ until its delisting. HyperSpace rebranded itself as MPC Corporation in January 2007.

In September 2007, MPC revealed plans to acquire Gateway Inc.'s Professional Services Unit for around $90 million to enhance its market presence and expand service capabilities.

Stock delisting

In May 2008, AMEX informed MPC that it failed to meet listing requirements due to stockholder equity dropping below $2 million and recording losses in two of the previous three fiscal years. MPC responded with a compliance plan approved on June 27, 2008, setting a deadline of November 9, 2009. Nonetheless, by October 2008, NYSE Alternext (formerly AMEX) concluded that MPC was not making adequate progress and did not satisfy financial or operational criteria, including insufficient share price and market capitalization.

Bankruptcy

MPC sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware during November 2008. CEO John Yeros attributed substantial financial setbacks to difficulties integrating Gateway's former unit and complications with a manufacturing partner. After a significant departure of sales personnel in December, MPC announced layoffs affecting 147 employees while retaining only 51 staff members to manage the shutdown process. The company indicated that reorganization efforts had failed and that the decision to terminate operations was finalized shortly before these workforce reductions, which limited financing alternatives.

Bowl sponsorship

Between 1998 and 2000, MicronPC sponsored the MicronPC Bowl, a postseason NCAA Division I football event held in Miami; it was renamed the MicronPC.com Bowl in 1999 to emphasize its online presence.

From 2004 through 2006, MPC Computers served as sponsor for the MPC Computers Bowl hosted at Boise State University’s Bronco Stadium. This bowl game was otherwise recognized as the Humanitarian Bowl before and after MPC's sponsorship period; it was later renamed the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2011.

Additionally, Micron Technology—MPC’s former parent company—sponsored the Humanitarian Bowl (then called the Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl) from 1999 until 2002.

External links

• Official MPC & Gateway Pro Support and Download Portal – Provides complimentary downloads and technical assistance for MPC and Gateway Pro products.
• Community Support Forum for MPC & Gateway Pro – A volunteer-operated discussion board for former users of MPC and Gateway Pro, independent from the original company.