OUTRAUM: helping you start and grow a business in aluminium systems

A good structure starts with an accurate measurement. A sustainable business starts with understanding who you sell to, what your work costs and how to deliver what you promised the customer. In our new partnership programme OUTRAUM we bring these tasks together: aluminium systems, support for the business owner and tools for everyday work.

We are starting a collaboration with VD AluSysteme and invite future B2B partners to talk to us. The offer is aimed at installation teams, entrepreneurs at the starting line and companies that want to add aluminium structures to their range of services.

Products and terms you can build a business on

Terrace roofs, carports, glazing and sun protection let you work on a wide range of customer needs. One customer wants to use the terrace for more of the year, another needs a carport next to the house, a third wants the entrance protected from rain. Behind each request is a specific project that has to be costed and carried through to the result.

Our offer to partners is built on favourable B2B terms for products by the manufacturer VD AluSysteme. Specific prices, configurations and delivery arrangements are agreed to suit the form of collaboration and the order.

We help you look at the economics of a project as a whole: purchasing, delivery, measurement, installation, the team's time and service after handover. A partner should understand what makes up their price and what is left for the business once the work is done.

Support during the launch phase

Everyone starts from a different point. One person already has installation experience and a small team. Another is good with customers and wants to grow sales. A third runs a construction business and is looking for a suitable additional line of work.

We begin by going through this situation. We discuss the region, experience, available resources and the customers the partner wants to work with. Then we define the first products, the way enquiries are handled and the division of tasks: who advises, who measures, who prepares the quote and who is responsible for installation.

Our experience as business owners helps turn these decisions into a clear working model. At the start it is especially important to choose a manageable volume, see the costs and agree on how the team will carry out the first orders.

Coaching on real working tasks

The partnership model includes coaching and ongoing support. We work through the questions that come up in practice: how to hold the first meeting, explain the offer, cost an order, organise the flow of information and keep track of what was agreed with the customer.

After the first projects we come back to the results. Where did more time go than expected? Which questions keep coming up? What is slowing down the preparation of quotes? This review helps the partner gradually build their own working process and make decisions with more confidence.

The format, scope and terms of the support are discussed before the collaboration begins.

METLAGO: a digital office for the partner

In parallel we are developing METLAGO, a digital office project for the everyday tasks of a business. For the aluminium line this means working with enquiries, site photos, measurements, quotes, team tasks and documents.

For example, a customer sends photos of the terrace and approximate dimensions. Our aim is to gather the material in one project, record what information is missing, set the next step and keep a history of what was agreed. This makes it easier for the business owner to see what is happening with the order and who needs to act next.

We will develop the system step by step, testing individual scenarios in practice and taking partner feedback into account. METLAGO is currently in development. The first pilot tasks and the available features will be agreed separately.

Let's start with your experience and plans

We want to build long-term relationships with people who are keen to grow their own business and take responsibility for the quality of their work. You can come to us with an existing company, an installation team or a well-considered intention to start.

Tell us which region you work in, what experience you have and which part of the business you want to develop. In the first conversation we will find out where our capabilities overlap and which joint step is worth taking first.

Discuss a partnership with OUTRAUM