Hey there,
August has been a month of exciting milestones for Aerontec. With new leadership at the helm, innovative fastening technology on offer, and an inspiring performance from our local aviation talent on the world stage, we have lots to share with you. Let’s dive into the latest.
A New Chapter: Cord Dankers Appointed Managing Director
We’re pleased to announce that Cord Dankers has officially stepped into the role of Managing Director at Aerontec. This transition follows the successful 2024 acquisition of Aerontec by the Biesterfeld Group, a global leader in the distribution of polymers, rubbers and specialty chemicals.
Cord joined Aerontec last year as Integration Manager, working closely with the team to align operations with Biesterfeld’s vision. His leadership has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for Aerontec to become Biesterfeld’s central hub in South Africa.
Before joining Aerontec, Cord led strategic projects at Biesterfeld as Head of Corporate Projects, where he was involved in numerous M&A efforts driving the group’s international expansion. With a background in corporate strategy and financial risk management, he brings both insight and experience to the role.
“Cord is the perfect fit to lead and drive forward our sales strategy in South Africa,” said Peter Wilkes, Executive Board Member at Biesterfeld.
This appointment marks a key step in Aerontec’s continued growth as we explore new business mandates and expand our polymer offering in the region.
Bighead® Fasteners: Smarter Fixing for Composites & Automotive
When working with composites or lightweight materials, your fastening system can’t be an afterthought, it must integrate seamlessly with design and performance goals. That’s where bighead® comes in.
Aerontec is proud to represent bighead® Fasteners, a UK-based company with more than 50 years of expertise in precision fastening solutions. These fasteners are trusted by top-tier automotive, marine, construction and industrial players worldwide.
What makes bighead® unique is its ability to bond directly into the composite structure, eliminating the need for drilling and preserving surface integrity.
- Ensures a clean, uninterrupted surface finish
- Offers high-strength, secure load transfer
- Available in thousands of configurations to suit any application
Whether you’re developing advanced components or working on a bespoke composite build, bighead® offers the versatility, durability and performance modern engineering demands.
If you’re ready to take your fastening strategy to the next level, our team is here to help with product guidance and selection.
SA F3K Juniors Claim Bronze at the World Championships!
We’re thrilled to congratulate the South African Junior F3K Team, who secured 3rd place overall at the recent F3K World Championships in Tarp, Germany!
The event brought together the world’s best in Discus Launch Glider (DLG) competition – a test of aerodynamic precision, pilot skill, and engineering ingenuity. Leading the junior team was Jethro van der Molen, our very own team member at Aerontec. His sharp coaching, real-time analysis, and calm leadership proved vital to the team’s performance.
Also instrumental to the team’s success was local glider manufacturer Michael Coetzee of Fighting Weight Composites, whose ultra-light DLGs (as little as 250 g) are built using Sicomin’s SR1700 resin system. These composite gliders withstand high-stress discus launches – up to 80m – while remaining agile in varying lift conditions.
- Jethro’s coaching kept the team competitive under changing conditions
- Gliders built with Sicomin SR1700 held up in intense world-class flights
- A shining example of South African talent and composite craftsmanship
We’re incredibly proud of Jethro, Michael, and the junior pilots for representing South Africa with excellence and flying the flag high on the world stage.
Have a question, project idea, or just want to learn more? Reach out to us at info@aerontec.co.za or call us today. we’re always happy to help.
The Aerontec Team