Alliance Métal Québec and Explor.ai announce the launch of Estimai, an innovative solution to automate the estimating process for the manufacturing sector
Montreal, September 24, 2025 - As part of ALL IN, Canada's largest AI event, Alliance Métal Québec (AMQ), announces the launch ofEstim.ai, a collaborative project for which it acts as prime contractor, in collaboration with Explor.ai and a group of 10 partner manufacturing companies.
This SaaS software solution powered by artificial intelligence aims to fundamentally transform the project estimating process in industrial metal fabrication.
The manufacturing component represents an investment of $1,115,100, including software development, employee training and technological support. The project was made possible thanks to the financial participation of the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie du Québec (MÉIÉ) and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
Context
Quebec's industrial metal fabrication sector is facing a dual reality: increased demand for complex, innovative products, and a persistent shortage of specialized manpower. Against this backdrop, SMEs have to contend with an estimating process that is still largely manual, costly in terms of time and resources, and prone to errors. Estim.ai is a concrete response to these challenges. By integrating AI at the heart of the value chain, the solution will enable companies to increase productivity, reduce costs and gain in competitiveness.
Cutting-edge technology and its next phases
Estim.ai is based on advanced AI models (LLM, computer vision and continuous retraining) that guarantee constant performance improvement, while protecting the confidentiality of corporate data. The solution will shortly offer automated data extraction from PDF drawings, classification and export to Excel take-off files. Over the next few months, the platform will be enhanced by two further developments: a comparison module to analyze projects in relation to existing history (Phase 2), and the integration of additional formats such as 3D models and CAD/.dxf files to automate even more complex material, cost and time-related tasks (Phase 3).
Expected benefits
Estim.ai will offer companies a marked reduction in estimating costs and lead times, more reliable quotes, faster response to customers and greater value for money for estimators, who will now be freed from repetitive tasks.
Quotes
The MÉIÉ has awarded a non-refundable financial contribution of $490,000 to Alliance Métal Québec under the Programme d'appui aux projets de développement économique. "To maintain a strong and competitive Quebec, it is essential to support our manufacturing companies in order to help them gain in productivity and pursue their growth. By investing in the Estim.ai platform, we are providing SMEs in the industrial metal fabrication sector with an artificial intelligence tool to help them increase their efficiency and remain successful in their sector," said Éric Girard, Minister for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.
CED awarded the organization a non-repayable financial contribution of $370,000 under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.
"SMEs and organizations are at the heart of our communities' innovation activity and economic growth, and supporting their development is a priority for our government. Thanks to our financial support, Alliance Métal Québec will be able to develop an artificial intelligence-based estimating software solution that will be useful for companies in the metal processing sector. Its contribution to the economic vitality of Lanaudière and Quebec is significant, and our economy as a whole will benefit from the success and spin-offs of its project." The Honourable Mélanie Joly, MNA for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED
"By helping our regional industries innovate and increase their productivity, we not only help make our companies more competitive, but also stimulate economic growth. That's why I'm delighted with our support for the Alliance Métal Québec project, which aims to support the expansion of metal processing companies in Lanaudière and throughout Quebec. There's no doubt that this project will generate tangible benefits not only for Lanaudière, but for all of Quebec." Carlos Leitão, MNA for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED
" With Estim.ai, we aim to offer Quebec metal fabrication companies a powerful lever to meet the challenges of labor shortages and global competitiveness. This solution is the perfect embodiment of AMQ's mission: to support innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth in the sector," said Philippe Blais, AMQ's General Manager.
"Many estimators spend hours extracting information from their plans and specifications in PDF format, juggling Excel spreadsheets or trying to standardize a process that still depends too much on the expertise of a single person," explains Hugues Mailhot, VP and Partner at Explor.ai. "There's a glaring lack of powerful, affordable tools that adapt perfectly to the language, methods and tools used here in Quebec. What's more, it's easy to understand the advantages of using a Quebec solution, with all the issues related to data security and confidentiality".
About Alliance Métal Québec
Alliance Métal Québec (AMQ) is a niche of excellence that brings together manufacturing companies in the industrial metal fabrication sector and institutional partners. Its mission is to create synergies between companies in the sector, with the aim of solving common problems and supporting them in their transformation processes. https://accord.alliancemetalquebec.com/fr/
About Explor.ai
Explor.ai is a Quebec firm specializing in artificial intelligence and software development. Since 2019, it has delivered over 150 projects in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, construction and energy. Its multidisciplinary team supports SMEs with pragmatic, high-performance AI solutions, ranging from automated data extraction to intelligent scheduling and generative AI agents.