Stop Losing High-Value Leads to Manual Follow-Ups and Spreadsheet Chaos
Imagine capturing every RFQ from a potential client bidding on structural steel projects, then scoring them instantly based on past fabrication timelines and material specs. With our custom AI lead management, you're closing 30% more deals without the endless email ping-pong or forgotten follow-ups on the shop floor.
Join 150+ businesses with streamlined lead capture and 25% faster project bids
The "Lead Leak" Problem
RFQs for custom steel beams get buried in email inboxes during peak rebar fabrication runs, leading to overlooked $50K+ orders
Inaccurate lead scoring from generic CRM tools that overlook critical metal specs like ASTM A36 steel grades and ±0.005-inch tolerances
Delayed follow-ups on structural component inquiries when shop floor teams are tied up with multi-axis CNC machining setups for aluminum extrusions
Fragmented data across ERP systems like Epicor and handwritten field notes from site surveys leading to quote errors on precast concrete forms
Missed opportunities from prospects sourcing custom HVAC ductwork or welded assemblies from competitors due to slow response on material certifications
Overloaded sales reps juggling leads without insights into material lead times for galvanized steel or titanium alloys in bridge component orders
Our Custom-Built Lead Management System
We've engineered AI solutions for over 50 fabrication shops, turning chaotic lead tracking into a seamless pipeline that aligns with your welding bays and inventory flows
Why Choose Us
Let's be honest, off-the-shelf CRM tools feel like trying to fit a custom bracket into a standard jig—they just don't match your workflow. At AIQ Labs, we build a tailored lead management system from the ground up, integrating directly with your ERP, shop management software, and even IoT sensors on the fabrication line. You're probably thinking, 'How does this handle our variable order sizes?' Here's the thing: our AI analyzes historical data on sheet metal bending jobs and client repeat rates to score leads automatically, ensuring you prioritize the big structural component bids over small runs. It's flexible, scalable, and owned by you—no more subscription traps.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Efficiency in Your Lead Pipeline
Prioritize High-ROI Fabrication Projects
Prioritize High-ROI Fabrication Projects: Our system scores leads based on factors like project scale (e.g., 10-ton structural steel orders), material urgency such as 304 stainless availability, and past conversion rates—think spotting a $150K steel frame order for a commercial build before your competitor's bid team even wakes up. This means your sales crew focuses on winners, boosting close rates by up to 35% within 90 days and cutting chase time on low-margin sheet metal jobs like simple brackets.
Seamless Integration with Shop Floor Realities
Seamless Integration with Shop Floor Realities: No more silos. We connect lead data to your production schedule via APIs to ERP like SAP, so when a prospect needs rush laser cutting for custom piping, your system flags it against current mill capacities and tool changeovers. Result? Quotes delivered in hours, not days—e.g., turning around a 500-unit flange order in under 4 hours—reducing lost bids from timing mismatches and improving on-time delivery metrics to 98% across your fabrication operations.
Slash Administrative Overload for Field-Tested Growth
Slash Administrative Overload for Field-Tested Growth: Automate follow-ups tailored to fabrication cycles—reminders for weld certifications per AWS D1.1 standards or updates on titanium sourcing from suppliers like Ryerson. This frees your team from spreadsheet drudgery, saving 25+ hours weekly on tasks like tracking rebar deliveries, and letting them tackle hands-on tasks like quality inspections on bridge girders, all while scaling your pipeline without adding headcount for seasonal construction surges.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ, our leads from industry expos like FABTECH were disappearing into email threads while we were slammed with aluminum extrusion deadlines for commercial storefronts. Now, the system auto-scores them by project specs like section moduli and tolerances, and we've landed three major contracts for curtain wall systems in the last quarter alone—up from one last year. It's like having an extra estimator on the floor during peak installs."
Mike Harlan
Operations Manager, Precision Metals Inc., a leader in architectural metal fabrication
"We were quoting custom stainless steel parts for food processing equipment blind, without knowing client histories or repeat orders for sanitary fittings. Their custom AI pulled in data from our old Epicor ERP and flagged repeat buyers instantly, including one for 1,200 units of tubing. Turned a slow month into our best Q2 ever, with 40% more conversions on pressure vessel projects and no more guesswork on lead quality amid volatile nickel prices."
Sarah Kline
Sales Director, ForgeFab Solutions, specializing in ASME-certified components
"Juggling leads during peak season for infrastructure projects was chaos—forgotten follow-ups cost us two big HVAC component deals worth $200K each in duct transitions. AIQ built us a system that integrates with our Mastercam CNC software for real-time availability checks on coil stock. We've cut response times from days to hours, even during weld shop overloads, and our team's actually excited about the pipeline now with better visibility on modular assembly timelines."
Tom Reyes
General Manager, AlloyTech Fabricators, experts in modular steel structures
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Mapping
We dive into your current lead flow, from initial RFQ emails to shop handoffs, identifying bottlenecks like delayed plasma cutting quotes. Together, we map a custom blueprint that fits your fabrication workflow like a perfectly machined prototype.
AI System Build and Integration
Our engineers craft your dedicated AI engine, weaving in data from your ERP, inventory trackers, and even supplier APIs. It's production-ready from day one, handling everything from lead enrichment to automated nurturing without disrupting your daily grind on the shop floor.
Testing, Launch, and Optimization
We run field-tested pilots with your team, tweaking for real scenarios like urgent bracket orders. Once live, we monitor performance and refine—ensuring your lead pipeline evolves as your fabrication demands grow, delivering ROI you can measure in closed deals.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does your lead management handle the unique variables in metal fabrication, like fluctuating material prices?
Great question—metal prices can swing wildly, impacting every quote. Our custom AI ingests real-time data from suppliers and market feeds, factoring it into lead scoring and automated responses. For instance, if a prospect inquires about stainless steel tubing during a price hike, the system flags it with cost projections and suggests alternatives based on your inventory. We've seen fab shops use this to adjust bids dynamically, maintaining margins without losing deals. It's all built into your workflow, so your team gets alerts on their tablets right after a CNC job wraps. No generic assumptions here; it's tuned to your exact supply chain realities, saving hours of manual research per lead.
Can this integrate with our existing shop management software without major disruptions?
Absolutely, and that's where our builder mindset shines. We start with a deep audit of your setup—say, your ERP like Epicor or shop floor tools like JobBOSS—and create two-way APIs that sync lead data seamlessly. Picture this: a new lead for precision stamping comes in, and it auto-populates job specs in your system for instant feasibility checks. During implementation, we phase it in over weeks, testing with a small batch of RFQs to avoid any production halts. Clients tell us it feels like adding a new welder to the team—smooth and immediately productive. No big-bang overhauls; just reliable integration that respects your daily rhythm.
What kind of ROI can a mid-sized fab shop expect from this custom solution?
ROI in fabrication is all about faster turns and higher win rates, right? Based on our work with similar shops, you could see 25-40% more leads converting to orders within the first six months. Take one client: they went from chasing 50 leads quarterly with a 15% close rate to prioritizing 30 high-scorers, hitting 50% closes and adding $200K in revenue. We calculate your specific ROI upfront, factoring in reduced admin time (often 20+ hours/week saved) and fewer lost bids from delays. It's practical, measurable—tracked via dashboards showing pipeline velocity and deal values. Let's chat about your numbers; we tailor projections to your current throughput and order mix.
How secure is the data in your lead management system for sensitive fabrication projects?
Security is non-negotiable in metal fab, especially with proprietary designs or defense contracts. We build with end-to-end encryption, role-based access (e.g., estimators see quotes but not full client specs), and compliance to standards like ISO 9001. Your data stays in a fortified, owned environment—no cloud roulette with third parties. For example, we anonymize sensitive details during AI processing, ensuring leads from aerospace bids don't leak. Regular audits and our in-house security protocols mean it's as robust as your quality control on a critical weld. We've never had a breach in deployments, and we include training so your team handles it confidently from launch.
Is this scalable as our fabrication business grows into larger custom orders?
Yes, scalability is baked in—like expanding from a single bay to a full production line. Our architecture uses modular AI components that handle increased volume without performance dips; we've scaled systems for shops doubling output from 100 to 200 tons monthly. As you take on bigger jobs, say complex assemblies, the system adapts by incorporating new data points like extended lead times for heat treating. It's not rigid; we design for growth, with easy expansions like adding voice agents for inbound calls. One client started with basic lead capture and now uses it for full pipeline forecasting, supporting their jump to multimillion-dollar contracts. We monitor and optimize quarterly to keep pace.
How long does it take to get this up and running for our team?
Timeline depends on your setup, but most fab shops see a live system in 6-8 weeks. Week one is discovery: we map your lead sources, like website forms for custom brackets or phone RFQs. Then, 3-4 weeks building the AI core, integrating with your tools—minimal downtime, as we work off-site. Final two weeks: testing with real leads, training your sales and shop leads on the dashboard. It's iterative; if you're in the middle of a big run, we flex around it. Post-launch, you're supported 24/7. Clients say it's faster than expected, with quick wins like automated scoring kicking in immediately, transforming how you handle those urgent sheet metal inquiries.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.