Raw Material Exchange

Role: Product Designer, UX Design & User Research

Year: 2024

Client: B2B Saas Software Company

Overview

Raw Material Exchange is a private place where trusted companies can trade extra materials they don’t need. Instead of letting good stuff go to waste, one company can list it, and another can use it. It’s safe, simple, and helps everyone save money and reduce waste.

Raw Material Exchange is a private place where trusted companies can trade extra materials they don’t need. Instead of letting good stuff go to waste, one company can list it, and another can use it. It’s safe, simple, and helps everyone save money and reduce waste.

30+ beta users

30+ beta users

100+ material
trades

100+ material
trades

2+ tons rescued
from scrap

2+ tons rescued
from scrap

Goals

Creating a trusted space where manufacturers can turn waste into value.

Efficiency

Efficiency

Efficiency

We designed the platform to save time — fewer steps, less back-and-forth, and faster answers for every request.

We designed the platform to save time — fewer steps, less back-and-forth, and faster answers for every request.

Fairness

Fairness

Fairness

We designed the system to be honest and equal — no names, no pressure, just shared rules and fair chances for all.

We designed the system to be honest and equal — no names, no pressure, just shared rules and fair chances for all.

Chapter 1

Discovery
A safe space for trusted businesses to trade their leftover materials
Cooperation

We worked together with a small group of trusted companies to create a private, invite-only space where materials could be traded fairly and anonymously — without competition

We worked together with a small group of trusted companies to create a private, invite-only space where materials could be traded fairly and anonymously — without competition

Simple Rules

  • Platform is invite only

  • Anonymous users and pricing

  • Agreement on trading terms

  • Offers were first-come, first-served

  • Platform is invite only

  • Anonymous users and pricing

  • Agreement on trading terms

  • Offers were first-come, first-served

What is the problem with extra material?

Factories often have leftover materials they don’t use.

They take up space, cost money, and sometimes get tossed.

Other factories could use them — they just don’t know they’re there.

By spotting a shared problem, we created a new kind of opportunity— helping companies save space, earn money, and support others.
Take your waste

Extra materials just sit there, taking up space. Listing them gives others a chance to buy — turning waste into something useful.

Extra materials just sit there, taking up space. Listing them gives others a chance to buy — turning waste into something useful.

Turn it into cash

Instead of paying to throw it away, companies could sell their extra materials and make money back.

Instead of paying to throw it away, companies could sell their extra materials and make money back.

Chapter 2

Prototype
Proof of Concept

We started with emails, manually connecting companies to see if the idea could really work

Before building a full platform, we tested the core idea through real-world trading trials using email. Companies would submit material inquiries, and we manually routed these requests to potential sellers while keeping both parties anonymous. If a seller was interested, we coordinated the responses and follow-ups—again through email—closely monitoring each exchange to maintain fairness and clarity.

Before building a full platform, we tested the core idea through real-world trading trials using email. Companies would submit material inquiries, and we manually routed these requests to potential sellers while keeping both parties anonymous. If a seller was interested, we coordinated the responses and follow-ups—again through email—closely monitoring each exchange to maintain fairness and clarity.

The early trial runs confirmed real demand and revealed the rules and behaviors the platform needed to support

As more companies joined and activity grew, we introduced automated email workflows to reduce manual overhead and ensure consistency. These early operational trials acted as a live prototype, helping us validate key ideas: that companies were willing to participate in a shared, cooperative system; that common patterns were emerging around how inquiries, responses, and confirmations flowed; and that some companies needed more structure or reassurance before fully engaging.

As more companies joined and activity grew, we introduced automated email workflows to reduce manual overhead and ensure consistency. These early operational trials acted as a live prototype, helping us validate key ideas: that companies were willing to participate in a shared, cooperative system; that common patterns were emerging around how inquiries, responses, and confirmations flowed; and that some companies needed more structure or reassurance before fully engaging.

We started with a basic idea, but visiting warehouses and talking to clients showed us what really mattered — how materials were packed, tracked, and moved.
Transactions

Each trade started with confirming what was available, agreeing on terms, and making sure payment details were correct before anything was packed or shipped.

Each trade started with confirming what was available, agreeing on terms, and making sure payment details were correct before anything was packed or shipped.

Each trade started with confirming what was available, agreeing on terms, and making sure payment details were correct before anything was packed or shipped.

Purchase Orders

Every trade requires a simple order form that said what was being sent, how to pack it, and where it was going — so things stayed safe, clear, and on time.

Every trade requires a simple order form that said what was being sent, how to pack it, and where it was going — so things stayed safe, clear, and on time.

Chapter 3

Build
Architecture

Starting lean, the first hosted site focused on direct inquiries and shipping coordination. Rapid prototyping allowed us to validate flows, streamline interactions, and prepare for future scaling with things like inventory.

Starting lean, the first hosted site focused on direct inquiries and shipping coordination. Rapid prototyping allowed us to validate flows, streamline interactions, and prepare for future scaling with things like inventory.

Starting lean, the first hosted site focused on direct inquiries and shipping coordination. Rapid prototyping allowed us to validate flows, streamline interactions, and prepare for future scaling with things like inventory.

Inquiry Manager

— lets users post what they need and invite others to respond — a simple way to connect without emails or manual follow-ups.

Transactions

— handles everything from document prep to negotiation and shipping — a clear way to manage deals without scattered threads or external tools.

Limited Access Pilot Testing

A group of trusted users, eager to test and help improve the site

We restricted access to the site to the group of early adopters. In order to maintain trust while we focus on improving the site minimized risk of involving too many users too early.

We restricted access to the site to the group of early adopters. In order to maintain trust while we focus on improving the site minimized risk of involving too many users too early.

We restricted access to the site to the group of early adopters. In order to maintain trust while we focus on improving the site minimized risk of involving too many users too early.

Moving Forward

As engagement and transactions increased, we set sights on the future of the platform

By the end of the six-month pilot we had a working marketplace, modest but functioning: 30 beta users completed 100 material trades and diverted roughly two tons of surplus from the scrap bin. That gave us a clear signal: the concept was viable, even if the product was still rough.

By the end of the six-month pilot we had a working marketplace, modest but functioning: 30 beta users completed 100 material trades and diverted roughly two tons of surplus from the scrap bin. That gave us a clear signal: the concept was viable, even if the product was still rough.

By the end of the six-month pilot we had a working marketplace, modest but functioning: 30 beta users completed 100 material trades and diverted roughly two tons of surplus from the scrap bin. That gave us a clear signal: the concept was viable, even if the product was still rough.

Inventory Management

could let companies upload their entire stock list, flag surplus items as “Available for Trade,” and keep the rest private—eliminating the spreadsheets and email threads now required to identify excess.

Inventory Management

could let companies upload their entire stock list, flag surplus items as “Available for Trade,” and keep the rest private—eliminating the spreadsheets and email threads now required to identify excess.

Inventory Management

could let companies upload their entire stock list, flag surplus items as “Available for Trade,” and keep the rest private—eliminating the spreadsheets and email threads now required to identify excess.

International Trade

Prices could appear in local currency, quick rule checks confirm each shipment is allowed, and the system lists the few forms or labels you need—turning international trades from red tape to a quick click.

International Trade

Prices could appear in local currency, quick rule checks confirm each shipment is allowed, and the system lists the few forms or labels you need—turning international trades from red tape to a quick click.

International Trade

Prices could appear in local currency, quick rule checks confirm each shipment is allowed, and the system lists the few forms or labels you need—turning international trades from red tape to a quick click.

Outcomes & Next Steps

Early savings prove it works; next steps will focus on broadening features and reach.

The first release did its job: 30 plants used the site to trade more than 100 lots of leftover material, keeping roughly two tons out of the waste bin. I started with a quick clickable mock-up to confirm the pain, shipped a lean build, and then sprinted through research-driven updates that tightened the workflow as adoption and engagement improved.

Next on my list is to let users upload full inventory in one shot, support straightforward international deals, and surface a simple dashboard so managers can see time, money, and waste saved at a glance.

I've learned that in B2B, trust grows by inches—prove value on one pallet, and the next truckload takes care of itself.

The first release did its job: 30 plants used the site to trade more than 100 lots of leftover material, keeping roughly two tons out of the waste bin. I started with a quick clickable mock-up to confirm the pain, shipped a lean build, and then sprinted through research-driven updates that tightened the workflow as adoption and engagement improved.

Next on my list is to let users upload full inventory in one shot, support straightforward international deals, and surface a simple dashboard so managers can see time, money, and waste saved at a glance.

I've learned that in B2B, trust grows by inches—prove value on one pallet, and the next truckload takes care of itself.

Let’s
Collaborate

Book a call with me -

Discord

Linkedin

Email

X

TEALL

©

Patrick Teall

2025

Let’s
Collaborate

Book a call with me -

Discord

Linkedin

Email

X

TEALL

©

Patrick Teall

2025

Let’s
Collaborate

Book a call with me -

Discord

Linkedin

Email

X

©

Patrick Teall

2025