[3] Fastenal refers to itself as a supply chain solutions company,[4] while Reuters calls it an industrial distributor.

[8] In 2009, Fastenal acquired parts of Holo-Krome, a socket head screw-making company.

[13] Fastenal's Asian trading company, Fastenal Asian Sourcing and Trading Co, is a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise located in Shanghai, China, where it directs sourcing[14] and import purchasing activities.

[5] In addition to a plethora of SKUs, the company offers a variety of services, including inventory management, small fastener manufacture, vending and machining.

[9] Internationally, Fastenal has sites in China, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom.