Trading Places: Barter Pioneers Retire and New England Trade, Inc. Continues to Add Innovation

MALDEN, Mass. - Oct. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Kenny and Sue Meharg, husband and wife, have been the king and queen of the barter industry for 35 years.  In 1980 they founded what is now known as New England Trade, Inc., the oldest and largest barter and trade organization in New England with over 1,500 cardholders. After much success and industry recognition, the Mehargs are retiring and their 18 year business partner, Gary Oshry, will be continuing to operate the business.

“It is an honor to continue to build on the success of New England Trade, Inc., a barter organization, which the Mehargs have built into a standard bearer for the industry,” noted Gary Oshry.  He added, “Our position remains strong and there is much growth and technological development anticipated in the near future”.

In 1996, the Mehargs and Oshry merged their competing barter businesses – UBE/Unlimited Business Exchange and BBX/Boston Business Exchange, Inc. - together to form New England Trade, Inc.

The Meharg’s were longstanding residents of Melrose, MA, and currently reside in Westford, MA.  Kenny is a founding member of the industry’s professional association, the National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE), and served a term as a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of the association.  The media has turned to Kenny for comment on the phenomenon of barter numerous times. Kenny has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and in the Boston Herald, Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal, and many more.  He has always believed in educating small businesses and entrepreneurs on the benefits of barter and has spoken at numerous business events.

Kenny has earned numerous awards, such as the Innovative & Creative award, Barter Pioneer Award, as well as Distinguished Service Awards from both the National Association of Trade Exchanges and the International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA).

Sue Meharg has been the Vice President, as well as the Office Manager, of New England Trade, Inc. for 18 years, and before that for Unlimited Business Exchange. She handled all aspects of customer service, accounting, 1099Bs and statements for the company. A Certified Trade Broker (CTB), a designation that she is a top professional in the barter industry, is among the abundant acknowledgements and awards Sue has received from her time in the barter industry. As a long-standing participant at the National Association of Trade Exchanges annual conventions, Sue has received awards for her outstanding participation. As well as her husband, Sue has appeared in newspaper and journal articles, such as the Boston Herald. Sue has been such a vital individual for both members and staff, and can be said to be the heart and soul of the company.

Kenny and Sue’s daughters Julie (Meharg) Cincoti and Laurie (Meharg) Koski have both worked for the business over the years. With the addition of their daughter Alison (Meharg) Lennon, Julie and Laurie have volunteered at New England Trade’s annual Barter Expo for numerous years. Their involvement with New England Trade, Inc. is much appreciated.

With an eye to the future, Oshry has introduced a Barter Marketplace, an App in the Apple and Android stores, and swipe technology. The swipe technology integrates credit card technology for barter transactions. The benefit to New England Trade members is that they have the ability to use their membership card to pay for their purchases with trade dollars instead of cash – extending their cash flow and buying power. New England Trade, Inc. plans to introduce their upgraded App in the 4th quarter to allow members enhanced functionality on mobile devices.

Gary Oshry, a resident of Andover, MA, is a Certified Trade Broker (CTB) with 23 years of barter industry experience.  Gary is currently serving on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the National Association of Trade Exchanges. A three term Past President of the association, Gary was recently awarded the 2014 Board Member of the Year.

Oshry noted, “New England Trade’s current staff, which includes Kraig Bloom CTB, Trade Director and Kristine Nicholson, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, is looking forward to continue working with the members of New England Trade, Inc. and assist with growing the business.”

About New England Trade

Established in 1980, New England Trade is a business-to-business network whose members have traded hundreds of millions of dollars in goods & services. Through the network, members are able to improve profits and reduce expenses in their business by trading excess goods or filling idle capacity. Barter is a creative way to increase sales and decrease cash expenses. Restaurants, auto services, travel, retail stores, and professional business services such as accounting, legal, advertising, and marketing are a sampling of the numerous clients who do business with New England Trade, Inc. and each other.

Worldwide, more than $600-billion is traded annually by small firms and giant companies alike. Nearly one-third of all U.S. businesses are involved in some kind of barter and more than 65 percent of the corporations listed on the New York Stock Exchange use barter to reduce surplus inventory and bolster sales.

New England Trade, Inc. maintains an office at 926 Eastern Avenue in Malden, MA and manages Cape Cod Trade, LLC. The company is operated by experienced, Certified Trade Brokers who assist businesses that use barter to gain a competitive advantage by growing their market share.  In three decades, it has become the largest barter organization in New England, managing more than $10 million in barter transactions annually.

For more information about this topic visit, please contact Gary Oshry by calling 781.388.9200, or e-mail Gary at barter@newengandtrade.com.