The founder of Fastenal, Winona, Minn., has died. Bob Kierlin died on Feb. 10, 2025, at age 85.
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The now $7.5 billion distribution business started as a small hardware store. Kierlin served as Fastenal’s Board Chairman from 1968 through 2014. Kierlin also served as Fastenal’s CEO from 1968 to 2002 and as president from 1968 to 2001.
An industry innovator, Kierlin created Fastenal Managed Inventory (FMI) in the late 1960s, featuring fastener vending machines that dispensed nuts and bolts. Now, vending plays a critical role in Fastenal’s go-to-market strategy, with more than 100,000 machines in service globally.
He was a Minnesota State Senator from 1999 to 2007.
