For Custom Fabrication Shops

Stop Wasting Time on Low-Quality Leads Prioritize Prospects That Actually Convert

Imagine scoring leads with AI that understands your fabrication workflow—cutting chase time by 40% and boosting close rates on high-value structural steel projects by 25%.

Join 150+ businesses with higher ROI on sales efforts

Rank leads based on project size and material needs in real-time
Integrate with your CAD software for instant qualification
Free up estimators to focus on bids that win, not tire-kickers

The "Lead Qualification" Problem

Chasing unqualified leads from trade shows like IMTS eats into shop floor productivity on CNC machines and welding stations

Estimators bogged down reviewing every RFI for projects that don't match your CNC tolerances or ASME welding standards

Missed deadlines on high-volume structural steel orders because low-priority leads for small brackets clog the fabrication pipeline

Overloaded with inquiries for small custom runs of aluminum extrusions that don't cover overhead costs on laser cutting setups

Inaccurate forecasting of material demands for rebar or sheet metal due to unvetted scopes in bid packages

Sales team distracted by generic B2B lists ignoring critical fabrication tolerances like ±0.005 inches for machined parts

Our Tailored Lead Scoring Solution for Fabrication Shops

We've helped over 50 manufacturing firms build AI systems that predict which leads will deliver real ROI, drawing from our experience integrating with tools like SolidWorks and ERP systems.

Why Choose Us

Let's be honest—off-the-shelf lead scoring tools treat all businesses the same, but your custom fabrication shop needs something that gets the nuances of precision machining and just-in-time delivery. We build a custom AI model trained on your historical data: past wins on aluminum extrusions, lost bids on mismatched tolerances, even seasonal spikes in HVAC component demands. This isn't a template slapped together. It's flexible, adapting to your workflow, whether you're quoting on-site installs or remote prototypes. You're probably thinking, 'How does this fit my team?' We start with your pain points—like sifting through vague RFQs—and deliver a system that scores leads on factors unique to you, like project complexity and client payment history. Short version: we craft it for your shop, ensuring every lead aligns with your capacity and profit margins.

What Makes Us Different:

Custom AI model analyzes lead data against your fabrication metrics
Seamless integration with existing tools like AutoCAD and inventory trackers
Ongoing tuning to match evolving market needs in construction fabrication

Unlock Field-Tested Wins for Your Shop

Focus on High-ROI Projects

Picture this: your AI flags leads for large-scale steel framing jobs with an 80% conversion likelihood, based on past data where similar I-beam specs led to $150K contracts within 60 days. No more guessing—your team targets bids that cover tooling costs and deliver quick turns on gantry cranes, boosting overall shop revenue by 30% in the first quarter.

Streamline Estimator Workloads

Instead of estimators poring over every inquiry for custom weldments under AWS D1.1 codes, the system auto-scores them by feasibility and urgency. We've seen shops cut review time from 5 hours to 1 per lead, freeing up bandwidth for on-floor oversight of MIG welding and reducing overtime on quote prep by 40%.

Improve Pipeline Forecasting

Like laying a solid foundation before pouring concrete, our scoring predicts material needs for galvanized piping accurately. For one client in commercial HVAC fabrication, this meant avoiding $20K in excess stainless steel stock by prioritizing leads with confirmed scopes—leading to tighter cash flow and fewer rushed supplier orders during peak season.

What Clients Say

"Before AIQ, we were drowning in leads from general contractors that didn't need our precision milling for aluminum housings. Their system scored prospects based on our actual throughput data from 5-axis CNCs, and in three months, we closed two $200K fabrication deals for structural components we would've overlooked. It's like having an extra estimator who never sleeps."

Mike Harlan

Operations Manager, Precision Metalworks Inc., specializing in aerospace-grade milling

"Honestly, I was skeptical about AI in fabrication, but this lead scoring setup integrated right with our ERP and started prioritizing high-tolerance jobs for stainless steel tanks immediately. Last quarter, our hit rate on quotes jumped from 15% to 28%, and we're finally bidding on the right commercial builds without the noise from mismatched RFPs."

Sarah Kline

Sales Director, FabForge Solutions, experts in pressure vessel fabrication

"We handle a lot of custom prototypes for HVAC ductwork, and sifting leads was chaos. AIQ built something that weighs factors like client volume history and spec matches to ±1/16 inch tolerances. Saved us from a bad $50K low-margin run on galvanized fittings early on—now our pipeline feels solid, like rebar in a foundation."

Tom Reyes

Owner, Apex Custom Fab, focused on modular HVAC assemblies

Simple 3-Step Process

Step 1

Discovery and Data Mapping

We dive into your shop's lead history, fabrication processes, and tools like your quoting software to map out what makes a winning lead. This sets the foundation for a model tailored to your tolerances and capacities.

Step 2

Custom Model Build and Training

Our engineers craft and train the AI using your data on past projects—think aluminum runs vs. steel fabrications—ensuring it scores leads by ROI potential and workflow fit. We test rigorously to avoid false positives on mismatched scopes.

Step 3

Integration and Launch

We wire it into your CRM and shop systems for seamless scoring, with a custom dashboard for your team. Launch includes training so estimators can trust and act on scores right away, scaling as your fabrication demands grow.

Why We're Different

We build from scratch with your fabrication data, not generic algorithms that ignore shop-specific metrics like lead times or material grades—delivering predictions that actually match your reality.
True ownership means no subscription traps; you control the system, adapting it as your shop evolves from small runs to full production lines.
Our engineers have hands-on experience with manufacturing integrations, ensuring robust connections that withstand high-volume quote floods without breaking.
We focus on ROI from day one, training models on your win/loss data to prioritize leads that cover overhead, unlike assemblers who just plug in off-the-shelf scores.
Flexible scaling lets you start simple and expand—add voice qualification for RFQs or enrich leads with supplier data as needs change.
No brittle no-code limits; we use advanced frameworks for production-ready AI that handles complex variables like tolerance specs and project timelines.
Deep customization means scoring factors like client credit for just-in-time jobs, preventing cash crunches that generic tools overlook.
We provide ongoing support from builders who get fabrication challenges, tweaking models based on real feedback, not automated updates.
Unified with your stack—think ERP, CAD, and inventory—for a single view of leads, eliminating the silos that slow down estimators.
Proven in the field: our systems have helped shops like yours cut lead waste by 50%, turning chaotic inquiries into profitable pipelines.

What's Included

Predictive scoring based on project specs, client history, and your shop's capacity
Auto-integration with ERP systems for real-time material demand alignment
Custom dashboard showing lead heatmaps by fabrication type (e.g., welding vs. machining)
Behavioral analysis of lead interactions, like RFQ follow-ups and site visit requests
Threshold alerts for high-value leads exceeding $100K in potential fabrication work
Data enrichment pulling in industry benchmarks for construction timelines and costs
Mobile access for field estimators to review scores on-site during client visits
Automated rejection of low-fit leads, freeing bandwidth for core shop operations
Reporting on score accuracy, with quarterly model refinements using new win data
Compliance features ensuring scores respect data privacy in B2B manufacturing deals
Scalable to handle seasonal surges in commercial fabrication inquiries
Exportable insights to spreadsheets for easy sharing with project managers

Common Questions

How does your lead scoring handle the variability in custom fabrication projects?

Great question—custom fab is all about those unique specs, right? We train the AI on your specific data, like historical bids for varying tolerances in steel vs. aluminum. It scores leads by matching them to your capabilities, factoring in things like lead time feasibility and material availability. For instance, if a lead's RFQ demands ultra-precise CNC work you excel at, it gets a top score. We've seen shops reduce mismatched pursuits by 35%, letting you focus on what your equipment and team do best. It's not rigid; we iterate based on your feedback to keep it sharp for evolving project types.

What data do you need from our shop to build this?

We keep it straightforward and secure. You'll share anonymized historical lead data—think past RFQs, win/loss outcomes, project scopes, and basic client details like industry and size. No need for sensitive financials upfront. We also map your current tools, like your quoting software or CRM, to pull in workflow specifics. For a fabrication shop, this might include CAD file patterns or inventory levels. Once integrated, the system learns on its own. One client started with just six months of data and was scoring accurately within weeks, transforming their pipeline without a massive data overhaul.

Can this integrate with our existing ERP and CAD systems?

Absolutely, integration is our bread and butter. We build two-way connections to systems like Epicor or SolidWorks, so lead scores flow directly into your workflows. Imagine a new inquiry hitting your ERP; our AI instantly evaluates if it fits your machining queue, updating the record with a score and rationale. No manual entry—it's seamless. We've done this for shops juggling multiple tools, cutting data silos that cause errors in material planning. If your setup is quirky, we customize the APIs to fit, ensuring it scales with your operations without downtime.

How long until we see results from the lead scoring system?

You're probably thinking quick wins are key in a fast-paced shop. From kickoff, we aim for a working prototype in 4-6 weeks, trained on your data for initial scoring. Full integration and fine-tuning take another 2-4 weeks, depending on complexity. Early results? Clients report 20-30% better lead prioritization right out of the gate, with refined accuracy hitting 85% within the first quarter. For example, a metal fab shop we worked with started closing higher-value contracts in month two, after tweaking scores for their welding specialties. We monitor and adjust to accelerate ROI.

Is this scoring system scalable as our fabrication business grows?

Definitely—scalability is built in, like expanding a shop floor without redesigning the whole layout. Our custom models handle increased lead volume effortlessly, whether you're ramping up for big construction booms or adding new services like 3D printing. We design with modular architecture, so you can layer on features like predictive pricing or supplier matching later. Shops we've partnered with scaled from 50 leads a month to 300 without hiccups, maintaining 90% score reliability. It's your asset, owned and adaptable, ensuring it grows with your revenue and team size.

What if the AI scores a lead wrong—how do we correct it?

Here's the thing: no system's perfect at launch, especially with the nuances of fabrication leads. We include a feedback loop where your team can flag and correct scores directly in the dashboard—say, a lead scored low but actually fits your prototyping niche. The AI learns from these inputs, retraining weekly to improve. Over time, accuracy climbs based on your real outcomes, like confirmed project wins. One client adjusted a handful of scores in the first month, and by quarter's end, their model was nailing 92% of high-potential leads. We're hands-on during rollout to guide this, making it a collaborative tool that gets smarter with your expertise.

Ready to Get Started?

Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.