Itronix Corp., the Spokane maker of rugged wireless computers, is considering whether to consolidate its Spokane offices and manufacturing operations into one facility.


The company currently leases the 30,000-square-foot former IBM complex, at 801 S. Stevens, on Spokanes South Hill and a 17,000-square-foot manufacturing space 15 miles away in Liberty Lake.


Itronix President and CEO David Dayton says the leases for both facilities expire within the next 12 months, and the company is looking at other buildings in the Spokane area that could accommodate all of the companys functions.


Our hope is that we could add some efficiencies, he says.


Itronix employs about 575 people, roughly 400 of whom work in the Spokane area.


Dayton says that although the company has considered several times before whether to consolidate its operations and has decided to stay put, this time is different because there are more potential sites available now, and thus more opportunities.


Itronix isnt looking at buildings in any one part of the Spokane area over another, Dayton says, nor is it considering at this time whether to construct a building. It also isnt looking outside of Spokane County, he says.


Any new facility likely would be comparable in size to the combined square footage of its current operations, which would be about 47,000 square feet of floor space, he says.


The benefits of working in a consolidated facility are clear, Dayton says. Some employees frequently have to travel between the office and manufacturing plant, and he estimates that it takes 25 minutes to drive from one location to the other. The company would spend less money paying people to drive, which would result in what he refers to as soft savings.


Itronix wont move, however, unless a consolidation provides hard savings, Dayton says, meaning that lease rates at a new building must be less than the combined lease rates at its current facilities.


Itronix moved into its current South Hill offices in early 1993. Just over a year later, the company opened its Liberty Lake manufacturing facility.