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Technology · Platforms, IT services and distribution

Altron

JSE-listed South African technology group founded by Bill Venter in 1965.

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Altron head office in Woodmead with the company name and South African flag
Altron’s Woodmead head office, published by ITWeb on 12 February 2026. Photo: Altron, via ITWeb · Source

Altron is a South African technology group listed on the JSE and A2X. [4]

History

Bill Venter founded the original business in Johannesburg in 1965. [3]

The group expanded through listed subsidiaries and acquisitions. [1]

It now reports Platforms, IT Services and Distribution segments. [4]

Ownership and control

Public shareholders held 67.49% of issued A shares at 28 February 2026. [4]

A Venter family high-voting share has conditional rights of 25% plus one vote. [4]

Frequently asked questions

What is Altron?

It is a listed South African technology group. [4]

Who founded Altron?

Bill Venter founded the original business in 1965. [3]

Who leads Altron?

Werner Kapp was group chief executive in November 2026. [6]

Key milestones

  1. The original company opened. [2]

  2. Altron completed the Bytes demerger. [5]

  3. Werner Kapp became group chief executive. [1]

Founded / co-founded by

  • Bill Venter — Telecommunications engineer who founded the business that became Altron in 1965.

Company builders

  • Werner Kapp — Group chief executive of Altron since 1 October 2022.

Related articles

Related institutions

  • Allied Electric — Original electrical engineering company founded by Bill Venter and colleagues in 1965.
  • Altech — Technology company established by Bill Venter in 1975 and wholly acquired by Altron in 2013.
  • Powertech — Power technology branch established in 1979, later wholly owned and restructured by Altron.
  • Netstar — South African vehicle tracking and telematics company acquired by Altron during 1997 and 1998.
  • Bytes Technology Group — UK technology company acquired by Altron in 2008 and separately listed through a 2020 demerger.
  • Value Capital Partners — South African investment firm that controlled 23.94% of Altron A shares at 28 February 2026.
  • Biltron — Venter family investment company that held 13.58% of Altron A shares at 28 February 2026.

Sources

  1. Altron, About us and company timeline. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-13. ↩
  2. Altron, Over 60 years of solving real-world problems, 2025-04-01. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-13. ↩
  3. Altron, Altron founder steps down from board, 2018-07-31. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-13. ↩
  4. Altron, Annual financial statements 2026, 2026-05-25. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-13. ↩
  5. Altron, Altron completes the Bytes demerger and separate listing, 2020-12-17. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-13. ↩
  6. Altron, Altron reports strong interim growth and increases dividend by 15%, 2026-11-02. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-13. ↩