Stop Overstocking Raw Materials and Missing Deadlines With Custom AI Inventory Forecasting Built for Your Shop Floor
Imagine cutting excess steel inventory by 30% while ensuring you never run short on aluminum sheets during peak production runs. We build AI systems that predict your needs based on real job schedules, supplier lead times, and market fluctuations—no more guessing games.
Join 50+ businesses with optimized stock levels and 25% faster project turnarounds
The "Inventory Chaos" Problem
Fluctuating steel prices leading to overstocked warehouses with unused rebar and structural beams
Unexpected job site rushes causing stockouts of critical sheet metal during structural welding and assembly
Manual spreadsheet tracking overlooking seasonal booms in residential framing and commercial roofing demands
Supplier delays disrupting production lines due to forecasts ignoring real-time lead times for custom steel mill orders
Inaccurate predictions from generic software not calibrated to your custom CNC machining and welding workflows
Cash tied up in excess inventory of aluminum extrusions while competitors achieve lean manufacturing in prefab components
Tailored AI Forecasting That Fits Your Fabrication Needs
We've helped metal shops like yours build production-ready AI from the ground up, drawing on our experience deploying scalable systems in high-stakes manufacturing environments.
Why Choose Us
Let's be honest—off-the-shelf inventory tools treat every fab shop the same, ignoring your unique mix of custom orders and rush jobs. Here's the thing: we design custom AI models that learn from your historical cut lists, welding schedules, and even weather impacts on outdoor installs. You're probably thinking, 'Will this really work for my variable batch sizes?' Absolutely. We start by mapping your exact workflow, then train the AI on your data to forecast needs down to the pound of material. No subscriptions, just a unified system you own that integrates with your ERP and shop floor software. It's like having a master planner who never sleeps, ensuring your inventory moves like clockwork on the production line.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Efficiency on Your Shop Floor
Slash Overstock by 25-40%
Slash Overstock by 25-40%: Imagine avoiding 20 tons of unused stainless steel tubing during winter slowdowns in HVAC installations—our AI analyzes construction permit data and historical job bids to predict demand dips. You order precisely for upcoming fabrications, freeing $100K for new CNC routers. Field-tested in fab shops, with ROI in under six months through reduced storage in your yard.
Boost On-Time Delivery to 98%
Boost On-Time Delivery to 98%: Prevent halting a bridge girder fabrication because aluminum extrusions are delayed—our system integrates supplier ETAs with your welding schedules and crane availability, flagging shortages two weeks ahead. This ensures seamless transitions to on-site assembly, delighting general contractors and securing 20% more repeat structural projects.
Optimize Cash Flow for Growth
Optimize Cash Flow for Growth: While bidding on a large-scale steel frame warehouse, last quarter's excess galvanized piping drains your funds. Our forecasts sync with your quoting cycles and material takeoff sheets, cutting holding costs by 35%. Gain the liquidity to upgrade to robotic welders without loans, scaling for bigger prefab truss orders.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ Labs, we'd overbuy carbon steel I-beams every fall for bridge projects, locking up $80K until spring thaws. Their custom forecast integrated our site surveys and used real-time steel index data—slashed excess by 28% in Q1, and our riggers never idled on materials during the peak build season."
Mike Rivera
Operations Manager, Precision Fab Works Inc., specializing in heavy structural steel for infrastructure
"Off-the-shelf tools couldn't manage our blend of custom ornamental gates and heavy-duty industrial racks from welded steel. AIQ's solution pulls directly from our AutoCAD designs and subcontractor bids—last month, it prevented a $15K emergency order on galvanized square tubing, hitting our fence installation deadline and earning a referral from the commercial developer."
Sarah Chen
Inventory and Supply Chain Lead, Metro Metal Crafters LLC, focused on custom metalwork for urban developments
"We kept losing bids on commercial roofing contracts due to stockouts delaying prototype panel fabrications. Post-implementation, their AI incorporates our seasonal shingle and flashing forecasts, cutting shortages by 50%—it's like having an extra foreman who anticipates sheet metal needs for monsoon prep. Setup was seamless in three weeks, syncing with our ERP system."
Tom Hargrove
Plant Supervisor, Apex Steel Formers Co., experts in prefabricated roofing and cladding systems
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Mapping
We dive into your shop's data—past orders, machine logs, and supplier histories—to understand your unique fabrication rhythms. No assumptions; it's all about your workflow.
Custom Model Building
Our engineers craft AI tailored to metal fab challenges, training it on your specifics like alloy types and production bursts. We test rigorously to hit 95% accuracy before going live.
Integration and Launch
We wire it into your existing tools—ERP, shop software, even mobile alerts for foremen. You own the system, with training to keep it humming as your business scales.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does your AI handle the variability in custom metal fabrication orders?
Custom orders can throw off any forecast, right? That's why we don't use generic templates. We start by auditing your past six months of jobs—everything from one-off ornamental pieces to high-volume structural beams. Our AI learns your patterns, like how rush gate fabrications spike in summer. It incorporates variables such as client revisions and material specs from your CAD files. For instance, if a construction firm suddenly ups their order for rebar, the system recalibrates in hours, not days. We've seen shops reduce forecast errors from 20% to under 5% this way. It's flexible, too—tweak it for new alloys or processes without rebuilding the whole thing. Ultimately, it's built to mirror your shop's real rhythm, ensuring you stock just enough without the excess.
What data do you need to get started on inventory forecasting?
We keep it straightforward—no overwhelming data dumps required. Typically, we pull from your existing sources: order histories, production logs, and supplier invoices. Think Excel sheets of past cut lists or exports from your shop management software. If you're using something like JobBOSS or SteelProjects, we integrate directly. We also factor in external bits like steel market indices or regional construction permits if relevant. The goal? Build a model that reflects your daily realities, like how weather delays affect installs. Setup takes 2-4 weeks, with us handling the heavy lifting. You're not left guessing; we guide you on what to share securely. Shops often start small, forecasting just sheet metal, then expand. It's practical, ROI-focused, and field-tested to minimize disruption.
Can this forecasting system integrate with our current shop floor tools?
Absolutely—integration is our bread and butter. Unlike plug-and-play tools that glitch with custom setups, we engineer deep connections. For metal fab, that means linking to your CNC software for real-time machine utilization data or your ERP for instant inventory updates. Say you're running a plasma table; our AI pulls queue data to predict sheet needs. We've connected to systems like AutoCAD, E2 Shop System, and even legacy DOS-based trackers. It's two-way: changes in the forecast update your PO system automatically. No more manual entries that lead to errors on the weld line. Implementation? We test everything in a sandbox first, so your production never skips a beat. Clients tell us it's like finally having all the gears mesh perfectly—no more dropped balls on material arrivals.
How accurate are your inventory forecasts for seasonal fluctuations in manufacturing?
Seasonality hits metal fab hard—think booming bridge projects in dry months versus quiet winters. Our AI achieves 92-97% accuracy by blending your internal data with external trends, like U.S. construction spending reports. We train it on your specifics: how Q4 HVAC orders spike demand for ductwork steel. For example, one shop we worked with forecasted a 15% dip in aluminum needs during off-season, avoiding $40K in overstock. It's not static; the model self-adjusts quarterly, learning from actual vs. predicted outcomes. If a market shift like tariffs on imports occurs, we incorporate it swiftly. You're probably thinking it's too good to be true—it's not. It's custom-built, tested on real fab floors, and delivers tangible ROI, like tying up less cash in warehouse space.
What's the cost and timeline for building a custom forecasting solution?
We tailor pricing to your scale—no cookie-cutter quotes. For a mid-sized fab shop (50-200 employees), expect $25K-$60K for a full build, depending on integrations and data complexity. That's a one-time investment for ownership, not monthly fees that add up. Timeline: 6-10 weeks from kickoff to live deployment. Week 1-2: data mapping and discovery calls. Weeks 3-6: model development and testing against your historical jobs. Final weeks: integration, training your team, and tweaks. We include three months of support to refine it. Compare that to subscriptions costing $10K/year with less customization—ours pays off faster through savings like 30% less overstock. It's practical for ROI-driven ops; many clients recoup in 4-6 months via reduced waste and rush fees.
How do you ensure the AI complies with industry regulations in metal fabrication?
Compliance isn't an afterthought—it's engineered in from the start. For fab shops dealing with ASTM standards or ISO certifications, our systems log all forecast decisions with audit trails, showing how predictions tie to your data sources. We handle sensitive info like defense contracts with encryption and optional on-premise hosting, avoiding cloud risks. No black-box magic; everything's transparent, so you can verify material forecasts align with quality controls. We've built for shops supplying aerospace parts, ensuring traceability back to raw stock origins. If regulations change, like new EPA rules on scrap metal, we update the model without downtime. It's secure, reliable, and keeps you out of hot water—clients appreciate the peace of mind when bids require certified processes.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.