American Ironworks & Erectors Inc. says it has leased shop and office space at the Central Business Park, at 11016 E. Montgomery, in Spokane Valley, and has moved its operations there from Colbert.

Jim Andrews, owner and president, says the company's lease was up at its former location and he wanted to move it closer to Spokane. American Ironworks is a contractor that specializes in structural steel and often works as a subcontractor to other general contractors in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.

Andrews says he had been considering building a facility at property he owns elsewhere in Spokane Valley, but decided to put those plans on hold due to the shaky economy. Now, he says, he might sell that property.

The company has leased about 13,000 square feet of space in the Central Business Park, which is the location of the former SuperValu Inc. distribution center. American Ironworks occupies a maintenance-shop building just west of the main warehouse there. It also has leased 2,600 square feet of office space in the main building. American Ironworks employs between 50 and 60 people, 10 of whom work at its shop and office locations.

Vic Overholser, of SDS Realty Inc., of Spokane, and Mark Lucas, of Kiemle & Hagood Co., of Spokane, handled the lease transaction. Montgomery Realty LLC, a real estate unit of Spokane Valley-based Aslin-Finch Feed Co., bought the 500,000-square-foot former SuperValu complex in 2008.