Andrew Federowsky, Brian Hall and Wayne Sharpe founded Bartercard on the Gold Coast, located on the eastern seaboard of Australia, in 1991.  The three founding Directors shared a dream and vision, to make Bartercard the world’s largest Trade Exchange, expand globally and sustain a brand identity with a street presence.

The company is proudly Australian and has led from the front through innovating and developing systems.  This organisation has also enjoyed rapid growth through the development of a sophisticated franchising model that has been efficiently replicated throughout the globe.  This ultimately led to the creation of Bartercard International in 1995 with Bartercard New Zealand being the first international franchise. Bartercard now operates in 9  countries in the Asia Pacific Rim (including Australia), Middle East and Europe.

Highlights in the company’s history include:

1991	-	Opened Bartercard in a single serviced office with 100 clients on 8 February
1991	-	Sold first franchise in Cairns, Australia
1992	-	Was instrumental in forming the industry operating procedures for Trade Exchanges, including compliance with the guidelines of the Australian  Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Taxation Office
1993	-	First international license sold: Bartercard New Zealand
1994	-	Bartercard International incorporated
1994	-	Bartercard Australia acquires Business Barter (Exchange Pty Ltd)
1995	-	Bartercard International opened
1996	-	Naming rights sponsor for the Gold Coast Indy Grand Prix, Australia
1996	-	United Kingdom and Sri Lanka open
1996	-	Launched Global Barter system
1997	-	Hong Kong and Thailand open
1998	-	Malaysia opens
1999	-	Lebanon opens
1999	-	Bartercard launches website
1999	-	Provided the world’s first non-cash online transaction with Electronic Funds Transfer Terminal with a bank
1999	-	Naming rights sponsor for the International Rugby League Tri Nations Series
2000	-	Business Innovation Award in the Auscham ANZ Business Awards 2000
2001	-	Recognised by Australian Bell Publishing for the publishing of the Bartercard Directory
2001	-	Jordan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) open
2001	-	Bartercard purchases building for new global and Australian headquarters
2001	-	Webtrader launched (customer relationship management software program)
2001	-	Recognised by Business Review Weekly (BRW) for being in the top 100 fastest growing companies in Australia
2001	-	Won Australia’s Best Home Grown Franchise System Award by the Franchise Council of Australia
2001	-	Bartercard is a finalist in Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
2002	-	Kuwait and Egypt open
2002	-	Global internet solution, including online auctions, launched
2002	-	Won Australia’s Best Export Franchise System by the Franchise Council of Australia
2002	-	Won Australian Financial Review Sponsorship Strategy Award, judged by Australian Sponsorship and Marketing Association and the Public Relations Institute of Australia
2002	-	Won Business Excellence Award
2002	-	Finalist in Entrepreneur of the Year
2002	-	Acquired major competitor in Australia – Trade Limited: For shares
2002	-	Listed #46 in Queensland Top 400 companies
2002	-	Successful franchise development, including opening 55 franchises within Australia (its first country of operations)
2003	-	Introduced the Platinum Card to recognise outstanding trading members within the Bartercard system
2004	-	Russia and Cyprus open
2005	-	Qatar opens
2006	-	EFTPOS introduced with 4 major banks
2006	-	Bartercard b.savvy magazine introduced
2006	-	Turkey License sold
2006	-	Achieved over $1.3 billion per annum trade volume globally
2007	-	New Bartercard website launched
2007	-	Heads of Agreement signed with India for Bartercard license
2007	-	Heads of Agreement signed with South Africa for Bartercard license
2007		Bartercard Australia, Management buy-out (MBO), 1st August

Top

For more information on how Bartercard can benefit your business, please contact Bartercard today on
1300 BARTER (1300 227 837) or Click Here to Register Online.