Stop Losing Hours Compiling Quotes by Hand Automate Quote Generation to Slash Time and Boost Your Bottom Line
Imagine reclaiming 15-20 hours per week from manual quoting, turning those into faster project bids and 20% higher close rates on manufacturing jobs. That's real ROI, not pie-in-the-sky promises.
Join 150+ businesses with streamlined quoting that saves thousands in labor costs
The "Manual Quoting" Problem
Estimators bogged down cross-referencing supplier prices for custom steel I-beam fabrication quotes, often delaying bids by 2-3 days on structural projects
Delays in quoting assembly line upgrades because inventory levels for aluminum extrusions aren't synced with fluctuating raw material costs from mill surcharges
Pricing inconsistencies across teams quoting CNC machining jobs for precision tolerances, leading to lost bids on automotive parts or underpriced aerospace contracts
Manual data entry errors in quotes for welded structural components, causing expensive change orders mid-production on bridge or building fabrication
Overlooked labor hour estimates in quotes for custom machinery builds, like robotic welders, eroding profit margins on the factory floor due to unforeseen setup times
Struggling to factor in real-time shipping costs for quotes on heavy equipment parts like crane booms, frustrating clients with surprises on job site deliveries
Our Custom-Built Quote Automation System
We've engineered solutions for manufacturing firms just like yours, from custom metalworking shops to assembly line producers, delivering field-tested AI that integrates with your ERP and supplier APIs.
Why Choose Us
Here's the thing: quoting in manufacturing isn't one-size-fits-all. You're dealing with volatile material prices, custom specs, and tight deadlines. We build a tailored AI system that automates the entire process—from ingesting client specs to generating precise, compliant quotes. No more spreadsheets scattered across your shop. It's custom-coded to your workflow, pulling data from your inventory system, supplier feeds, and labor trackers. Let's be honest, this isn't about slapping together off-the-shelf tools; it's about creating a robust engine that owns your quoting process, saving you hours and headaches. You're probably thinking, 'How does it handle our unique part configurations?' We start by mapping your exact needs, then deploy AI that learns from your past bids to refine accuracy over time.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Tangible Efficiency Gains That Hit Your P&L
Save 15-20 Hours Per Week on Quote Prep
Save 15-20 Hours Per Week on Quote Prep: Your estimators won't waste time hunting down bolt prices or labor rates for steel rebar schedules anymore. Our AI pulls it all automatically from supplier APIs, like a digital foreman keeping the welding line moving. That reclaimed time? Redirect it to chasing high-value structural steel contracts, boosting productivity by 25% within the first quarter and freeing up cash for expanding your fabrication bay.
Achieve 20% Faster Quote Turnaround with 98% Accuracy
Achieve 20% Faster Quote Turnaround with 98% Accuracy: Shorten the bid cycle from days to hours for assembly upgrades. The system factors in real-time variables like alloy surcharges or G-code tolerances for CNC jobs, reducing errors that lead to scrapped prototypes in high-volume runs. Result: happier clients in the oil & gas sector, quicker wins on modular builds, and a healthier order pipeline without the usual quoting bottlenecks on prefab components.
Cut Costs by 30% on Administrative Overhead
Cut Costs by 30% on Administrative Overhead: No more double-entry or chasing approvals across departments for BOM approvals. It's like streamlining your assembly line for paperwork—everything flows from ERP to shop floor. This ROI hits fast, within 60 days: lower labor costs mean more margin on welded assemblies, letting you invest in better CNC spindles or hire that extra millwright you've needed for overtime shifts.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ Labs, our team was spending two full days a week just pulling together quotes for custom conveyor belt rollers—lots of back-and-forth with steel suppliers and constant revisions on weld specs. Now, it's down to under an hour per quote, and we've landed three big contracts in the last quarter for warehouse automation that we would've missed. The accuracy on material costs alone saved us from a $15K overcharge on galvanized tubing last month."
Mike Harlan
Operations Manager, Precision Fab Works Inc., a leader in industrial conveyor systems
"We run a mid-sized shop doing aluminum extrusions for construction facades, and quoting was killing our response time to RFQs from general contractors. Their custom system integrates with our legacy ERP and even pings our aluminum vendor APIs for live billet pricing. Cut our quoting errors by half—no more surprises on extrusion die setups. ROI was clear in the first two months; we're quoting 40% more jobs without adding staff, focusing instead on scaling our press lines."
Sarah Kline
Senior Estimator, Alloy Dynamics Manufacturing LLC, specializing in architectural metalwork
"Honest talk: our quotes for machined prototypes were all over the place, with labor estimates off by 10-15 hours on 5-axis milling jobs sometimes due to overlooked fixturing. AIQ built something that learns from our past bids and adjusts for overtime rates on night shifts. We've seen a 25% uptick in win rates for defense components, and the time saved lets us focus on optimizing our CNC runs instead of endless paperwork revisions."
Tom Reyes
Director of Production, ForgeTech Components Corp., experts in precision aerospace forgings
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Workflow Mapping
We dive into your quoting process—reviewing how you handle specs for parts like brackets or enclosures, your ERP setup, and pain points like volatile resin prices. This ensures the automation fits your shop like a custom jig, not some generic mold.
Custom AI Build and Integration
Our engineers code the system from scratch, connecting to your inventory, supplier databases, and tools like AutoCAD for precise calcs. We test it on real quotes for weldments or assemblies to guarantee it handles your unique variables without a hitch.
Deployment, Training, and Optimization
Roll it out with hands-on training for your estimators. We monitor the first few weeks, tweaking for things like seasonal labor spikes, so it's field-tested and delivering ROI from day one—no learning curve delays on the production floor.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does this automation handle fluctuating material prices in manufacturing quotes?
In manufacturing, prices for things like steel or plastics can swing wildly due to market conditions. Our custom AI connects directly to your suppliers' APIs or market data feeds, pulling the latest rates in real-time. For example, if aluminum jumps 10% overnight, it recalculates your quote for extruded parts automatically, factoring in your margins. We build it to your specs—say, alerting you for manual review on high-value bids—ensuring accuracy without constant manual updates. This saves your team from daily price checks, reclaiming hours for actual estimating. We've seen clients reduce pricing errors by 90%, directly boosting their win rates on competitive RFQs. It's all tailored during our discovery phase to match your supply chain quirks.
Will this work for small custom shops or just large manufacturers?
Absolutely, it scales to any size manufacturing operation. For a small custom fab shop with 20 employees, we focus on simple integrations like QuickBooks for costs and Excel for specs, automating quotes for one-off jobs without overwhelming your setup. Larger firms get deeper ties to ERP for enterprise-level quoting. Take a 50-person CNC shop we worked with: they went from manual quotes taking 4 hours to 20 minutes, handling 30% more inquiries. We customize based on your volume—whether it's low-run prototypes or high-volume parts—ensuring quick ROI. No bloat; just practical automation that fits your shop's rhythm, saving time on the floor where it counts.
What kind of ROI can we expect from quote automation?
ROI in manufacturing quoting is straightforward and measurable. Most clients see payback in 2-4 months through time savings alone—think 15 hours/week per estimator at $50/hour, that's $30K+ annually per person. Add reduced errors: one client avoided $20K in rework from bad quotes last year. We calculate your specific ROI during consultation, factoring in your quote volume, error rates, and margins. For instance, a metalworking firm cut quoting costs by 35%, turning that into funding for new welders. It's not hype; we track metrics like turnaround time and win rates post-launch, optimizing to hit your targets. You're investing in a tool that directly lifts your profitability, not just shaves minutes.
How secure is the system for sensitive manufacturing data?
Security is non-negotiable in manufacturing, where quotes often include proprietary designs or client specs. We build with enterprise-grade encryption, role-based access (e.g., estimators see quotes, but not full BOMs), and compliance to standards like GDPR or NIST. Data stays on your servers or secure cloud you control—no third-party leaks. For a defense contractor we partnered with, we added audit logs for every quote revision, ensuring traceability for ISO audits. We conduct penetration testing pre-launch and offer ongoing monitoring. This means your IP for custom dies or alloys is protected, letting you automate confidently without risking competitive edges. It's peace of mind, built into the custom code from day one.
Do I need an IT team to maintain this after setup?
No, we design it for minimal upkeep, especially for SMB manufacturers without big IT departments. The system runs on straightforward infrastructure—your existing servers or a managed cloud setup we handle initially. Updates for things like new supplier APIs are push-button, with our support team guiding you. One client, a 100-employee injection molding shop, has their ops manager handling tweaks via a simple dashboard—no coders needed. We provide full documentation and training, plus optional maintenance packages. This shifts you from dependency to ownership, saving on IT costs long-term. If issues arise, like a format change in CAD files, we remote-fix it fast. It's built to be as reliable as your best machinery.
How long does it take to get this up and running?
Timeline depends on your complexity, but most manufacturing setups launch in 4-6 weeks. Week 1: We map your process, like how you quote for stamped parts. Weeks 2-3: Build and integrate with your tools. Week 4: Test on live scenarios, refining for accuracy on labor or freight. A recent project for a fabrication outfit went live in 5 weeks, with full training. We prioritize quick wins, so you see time savings early. No endless betas—it's field-tested before go-live, minimizing disruption to your production schedule. Post-launch, we optimize based on real quotes, ensuring it evolves with your shop's needs without dragging on.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.