Alliance Métal Québec and Explor.ai announce the launch of Estimai, an innovative solution to automate the estimation process for the manufacturing sector
Montréal, September 24, 2025 – As part of ALL IN, Canada's largest AI event, Alliance Métal Québec (QMA) announces the launch of Estim.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 the field of 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 (MÉIE) and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
Background
Quebec's industrial metal fabrication sector is facing a double reality: increased demand for complex and innovative products, and a persistent shortage of skilled labour. In this context, SMEs have to deal with an estimation process that is still largely manual, costly in time, resources and prone to errors. Estim.ai is presented as a concrete response to these issues. By integrating AI into the heart of the value chain, the solution will enable companies to increase productivity, reduce costs and gain competitiveness.
Cutting-edge technology and its next phases
Estim.ai is based on advanced AI models (LLM, computer vision, and continuous retraining) that ensure continuous performance improvement, while protecting the privacy of business data. The solution will soon offer automated data extraction from PDF plans, their classification and export to Excel take-off files. Over the next few months, two developments are expected to enrich the platform: a comparison module to analyze projects against existing history (Phase 2), and the integration of additional formats such as 3D models and CAD/.dxf files to automate more complex tasks related to materials, costs and time (Phase 3).
Expected benefits
Estim.ai will offer companies a significant reduction in estimating costs and times, more reliable quotes, a faster response to customers and a better valuation of the work of estimators, who are now freed from repetitive tasks.
Quotes
The MÉIE has awarded a non-repayable financial contribution of $490,000 to Alliance Métal Québec as part of the Economic Development Project Support Program. "To maintain a strong and competitive Québec, it is essential to support our manufacturing companies to help them increase their productivity and continue to grow. Investing in the Estim.ai platform provides SMEs in the industrial metal fabrication sector with an artificial intelligence tool so that they can increase their efficiency and remain successful in their sector of activity " said Éric Girard, Minister for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. "
CED has awarded a non-repayable financial contribution of $370,000 to the organization under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.
"SMEs and organizations are at the heart of innovation activity and economic growth in our communities, and supporting their development is a priority for our government. Thanks to our financial assistance, Alliance Métal Québec will be able to develop an estimation software solution using artificial intelligence that will be useful for companies in the metal processing sector. His contribution to the economic vitality of Lanaudière and Quebec is significant, and our entire economy will benefit from the success and spinoffs of his project." The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED
"By helping our regional industries innovate and increase their productivity, we are not only helping to make our businesses more competitive, but also to stimulate economic growth. That is why I am delighted with our support for Alliance Métal Québec's project, which aims to support the expansion of companies in the metal processing sector in Lanaudière and throughout Quebec." There is no doubt that this project will generate concrete benefits for Lanaudière, but also for all of Quebec. Carlos Leitão, Member of Parliament for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED
" With Estim.ai, we want to offer Quebec metal fabrication companies a powerful lever to meet the challenges related to labour shortages and global competitiveness. This solution perfectly embodies QMA's mission: to support innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth in the sector," said Philippe Blais, Chief Executive Officer of QMA
"Many estimators spend hours extracting information from their plans and specifications in PDF format, juggling Excel sheets 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 is a glaring lack of powerful, affordable tools that adapt perfectly to the language, methods and tools used here in Quebec. In addition, it is easy to understand the advantage of using a Quebec solution with all the issues related to data security and confidentiality."
About Alliance Métal Québec
Alliance Métal Québec (QMA) 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 more than 150 projects in various sectors such as manufacturing, construction and energy. Its multidisciplinary team supports SMEs with pragmatic and high-performance AI solutions, ranging from automated data extraction to intelligent scheduling and generative AI agents.
