World Commerce Online

About World Commerce Online

Founded in 1994, World Commerce Online operates as a pivotal player in the business-to-business e-commerce sector, focusing on creating global and private trade communities for perishable products industries. The company's initial public offering on the OTC Bulletin Board was under the ticker WCOL. A significant milestone in the company's history was the acquisition of ProduceOnline.com in August 2000, a move that enhanced its technological capabilities with substantial domain expertise in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry. This acquisition was a strategic step to accelerate entry into all segments of the food industry.

The company's core business involves providing e-commerce solutions that connect supply chain participants in the perishable goods markets. This is achieved through its proprietary platforms, which are designed to facilitate business transactions on the World Wide Web while ensuring security and data integrity. One of its key offerings was Floraplex, a B2B e-commerce solution for the global floriculture industry, which at the time was trading over one million flowers weekly. Following the acquisition of ProduceOnline.com, the company launched FreshPlex, a similar B2B solution tailored for the worldwide produce industry.

World Commerce Online's business model centers on enabling and executing transactions through its specialized online marketplaces. By providing the technological infrastructure, the company likely generates revenue through transaction fees, subscriptions for accessing its trading platforms, or a combination of both. The company serves a diverse client base, including growers, distributors, and retailers within the floriculture and produce industries. The platforms offer open market exposure, allowing businesses to expand their reach and connect with a global network of trading partners. The CEO and Chairman at the time of the ProduceOnline.com acquisition was Bob Shaw.