End of an era: iGate drops ‘Patni’ from its brand name

Almost a year after it completed the acquisition of Patni Computer Systems, US-based information technology services company iGate Corp on Monday said it had removed 'Patni' from its brand name. The Nasdaq-listed company would now be known as simply iGate rather than iGate Patni.

In January last year, iGate bought a stake of about 63 per cent stake in Patni, then India's sixth largest information technology firm, for $1.2 billion, (Rs6,400 crore). The company closed the acquisition on 12 May 2011.

The main reason for iGate dispensing with the Patni tag is because it is a family name, which means anyone named Patni can use it, including members of the founder's family. Narendra Patni, the founder of Patni Computer Systems, already has an unlisted firm called Patni Technologies. His nephew Apoorva Patni is also reported to be keen on pursuing the software business.

Phaneesh Murthy, chief executive officer of iGate , said, ''I have always articulated that Patni being a family name is difficult to protect in several of our markets. This brand change is in line with our vision of 'one company' that will follow the successful delisting offer process of Patni with the Indian stock exchanges.''

iGate completed the process of de-listing from Indian bourses last month, after announcing a buyback offer to its minority shareholders. The company offered Rs520 per share to acquire the remaining stake of close to 18 per cent for 100 per cent control of the company.

Shares of Patni Computer will be suspended from trading from 21 May and delisted from stock exchanges on 28 May last year.