Dr. Bill Venter is a UK chartered engineer and founder of Altron, through Allied Electric in 1965 and recipient of the Order of Meritorious Service (Gold), as awarded by the State President of South Africa for his significant contribution to South Africa’s electronics industry.

Some 45 years devoted to entrepreneurial endeavours and initiatives in the electronics, telecommunications and power electrical industries, both in South Africa and offshore, firstly as design engineer then marketing manager at STC (SA) and thereafter chief executive and latterly as chairman of the Altron group.

Dr Venter has played an important role in developing the South African electronics and electrical industry into the key component of the national economy that it is today. He is a Trustee of The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and a member of the Finance Committee.

Awarded the Sunday Times Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 in recognition of his significant contribution to South Africa and the business community.

Presented with the Department of Science and Technology's first Life Time Achiever Award by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, for 45 years of significant contribution to the technology industry in South Africa.

Received the "Legend in ICT Award" from The State Information Technology Agency" (SITA), a division of the South African Ministry of Public Service and Administration, for a life time contribution to the ICT industry and to South Africa.

 

Norbert Claussen joined the Altron group in 1996 as the Chief Executive Officer of Willard Batteries which expanded over five years to become the Powertech Battery Group, comprising Willard Batteries, Dynamic Batteries, SABAT Batteries and Battery Technologies. In March 2001, Norbert was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Powertech. Since 1989 he has been a registered professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa.

Harry Coetzee was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Aberdare Cables in September 2007.  With a BSc degree in mechanical engineering and a MBA from Wits University, Harry is a registered professional engineer and has held senior board and managerial positions in the past at Dorbyl Limited, Bosal Africa and Toyota South Africa.  He was CEO of the IST Group at the time of purchase by Powertech.

Glenn Geldenhuis joined the Powertech group as CEO for Powertech Batteries on 1 March 2010. He is an engineer by profession and has many years of strategic and operational management experience with companies such as Kentron, Delta Motor Corporation, DPI Plastics of Group 5 and the latest being the Dawn Distribution Group.

Neil Kayton has been a valuable member of the Powertech directorate since joining the Group in February 2004. He started his career with accounting firm Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young), before being employed as Financial Manager at Universal Recycling Company (Pty) Limited - a member of the Cape Gate Group of Companies. Prior to joining Powertech, Neil occupied a senior position at international pharmaceuticals company, AstraZeneca.

In January 2008, Ronnie joined the Powertech team as Group Executive for Supply Chain Management. He started his career in the Human Resources field moving into general management.  Having managed businesses such as PHD and RTT in the Fuel Group as well as having managed The Cold Chain whilst under the Tiger Brands umbrella.  Ronnie has had 25 years experience in mainly the FMCG and pharmaceutical sectors.  He holds a BA Higher Diploma & Personnel Management from Wits as well as an MBA from Bond University in Australia.

Seara Macheli was with the Powertech Group before joining Altron in 2009. Her areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, business development, legal and corporate affairs. Seara has in excess of 10 years combined experience of law and business and is also a member of the CIPRO (Companies & Intellectual Property Office) board of directors, of the Department of Trade & Industry. From 1996 Seara has practiced Commercial law and Intellectual Property law at some firms including Moseneke & Partners and Spoor & Fisher. In 2001, she joined Merck, Sharpe & Dohme, a major global pharmaceutical company, as executive director with main focus on legal, communication and corporate affairs.

Pierre Nothard joined the Group in 1984. He then left in 2001 to join Xerox Corporation in India and re-joined the Group in 2003 as MD of Crabtree as well as CEO of the Industrial Group.  He has a wealth of industry experience and has worked for companies such as Mercedes Benz South African manufacturing operation Rank Xerox .  He was MD of STC Business Communications from 1986 to 1993 and MD of Xeratech, the distributor of Xerox products from 1994 to 2001. (Now Bytes Document Solutions) 

Peter Riley had 35 years of international manufacturing experience at executive level in both the automotive and capital equipment bussinesses prior to joining the group.  Manufacturing Director Nissan S.A. /Operations Director Harnischfeger USA (Africa – Middle East).  Since joining the Altron group he subsequently held various senior positions initially at Altron/ Altech and now Powertech.

Alex Smith has been with the Altron group since 2005 and has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer for the Group as of 1 August 2008. Alex's qualifications include a Bachelor of Law (honours) degree from University of Edinburgh in Scotland, as well as having been admitted as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. He started his career with Price Waterhouse in Scotland and was relocated to South Africa in 1995 for the same firm. Alex brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the group.

Robert has four years experience as a merchant banker in the United States, including as Vice President of Bear Stearns and Co. Inc (1987-1990) as the foundation upon which he has built sixteen years of experience in senior management positions in the Altron group since 1990, currently as Chief Executive Officer of Altron. 

Leon Viljoen brings with him 20 years of experience in the electrical and electronic industry, most of which was gained within the Powertech Group. His participation at management level dates back to his appointment as General Manager at Whiteleys, in 2000. His potential was immediately recognized and he was rewarded with a promotion to Divisional Managing Director, only five months later. In 2002, Leon moved up the ranks and was appointed as Managing Director at Desta Power Matla. In 2006, Leon was promoted to CEO of Powertech Transformers.

Hannes joined the group with a professional engineering background.  He has worked with companies such as the Ford Motor Company and Kentron.  In 1990 he joined IST and successfully established the IST Telecom business.  Hannes has a B.Ed degree in Tertiary Education and has also been a lecturer at the PE Technicon specialising in Industrial Electronics and other related subjects.