Outdoor living requires flexibility

Collaboration is all about quality and support

“Actually, I haven’t found a good alternative yet.” With that observation, Gerko van Beem sums up the collaboration with Ittalum. The director of Van Beem Buitenleven spent years searching for a sliding roof system in which not just a section opens, but the entire roof can be slid away. “That turned out to be quite unique in practice.”

Over the course of more than a century, Van Beem Buitenleven evolved from a farm and nursery into a specialist in comprehensive outdoor living projects. The former garden center was replaced by a 10,000-square-meter showroom focused on porches, sun protection, garden furniture, outdoor kitchens, and wellness. According to Van Beem, it was precisely within that segment that demand for more flexible solutions grew.

“Back when we mainly sold fixed canopies, we noticed that customers were increasingly looking for the ability to open and close them. I was looking for a supplier that could offer a canopy where the entire roof could open, not just a single section. I couldn’t find that anywhere except at Ittalum.” It wasn’t just functionality that played a role. Above all, it was the combination of aesthetics, technology, and reliability that tipped the scales. “Many of our customers consciously choose quality. They want as much natural light as possible, to be able to sit out of the wind, but also to be able to open the roof completely. The sliding glass roofs are particularly appealing in that regard.”

Practical Support

According to Van Beem, the partnership stands out not only because of the product itself, but also because of the support that comes with it. “Mike de Groot first gave us a detailed explanation of the product and provided sales training. Whenever a new display is set up in our showroom, someone from Ittalum comes along to walk us through the assembly together. That works well, because our technicians learn directly through hands-on experience.”

He also believes that short lines of communication play an important role in day-to-day operations. “If we have any questions, we can quickly get in touch with Mike or Matthijs. That just works really well. A deal is a deal, and I think that’s important in a partnership.” Van Beem also makes extensive use of Ittalum’s configurator during cost estimates and project preparation. “That tool is a huge help with calculations and working out the details of projects.”

Italum’s sliding roofs are used in both residential and commercial applications. Van Beem cites, among other things, a project on Damrak near Euronext as an example. In that project, a sliding glass roof was installed. Polycarbonate is a more cost-effective alternative and was used, for example, for the canopy at the Pannenkoeken Paviljoen in Cruquius. “A sliding roof makes an outdoor space much more versatile,” says Van Beem. “That’s exactly what customers are looking for today.”