Rowand Machinery Co., a 46-year-old Spokane-based company that sells and services construction and forestry equipment, plans to build a 12,000-square-foot service facility near its West Plains headquarters.


Rowand Machinery, which has a branch office in Pasco, Wash., also is looking at the possibility of opening a rental store in Hayden, Idaho, within the next six months, says Geoff Rowand, chief operations officer.


We want to keep up with demand and expand our business, says Rowand. Servicing equipment is a pretty strong part of our business, and the new building will more than double our service capacity.


Garco Construction Inc., of Spokane, has been hired to design and build the steel structure, says Rowand. He says the construction cost is about $1.3 million.


Work is expected to begin by the end of May and to be completed by October, he says.


The structure will be built on 40 acres of land that Rowand Machinery owns at 6210 W. Rowand Road, off Geiger Boulevard and just north of the Interstate 90 Geiger exit.


It will be designed to accommodate the servicing of large equipment such as graders and bulldozers. Once its built, the new structure will trigger the hiring of at least five workers initially, with the possibility more workers will be added later, Rowand says.


Rowand Machinery, which sells new and used equipment and also has rental, service, and parts departments, expects revenue of nearly $40 million this year, says Rowand.


He says the company employs 50 workers here and 25 in Pasco.


The sales and rental of equipment is the biggest part of our business when the economy is strong, and service and parts is our leading source of revenue when there is a down economy, Rowand says.


The West Plains operation includes a 25,000-square-foot building that has warehouse, service, and office space, he says.


Rowand says the company is thinking about opening a rental store in Hayden that would be small and would employ two people.


Currently, we do a lot of business in North Idaho, and it would be better for our customers to be closer to them, he says.


Contact Rocky Wilson at (509) 344-1264 or via e-mail at rockyw@spokanejournal.com.