Fastenal Company Announces Cash Dividend

WINONA, Minn., Oct. 12, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Fastenal Company of Winona,
MN (Nasdaq:FAST) reported its Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.14
per share to be paid in cash on November 22, 2011 to shareholders of record at
the close of business on October 26, 2011. The Company has paid semi-annual
dividends since 2003, and paid a third 'supplemental' dividend in both 2010 and
2008. In January 2011, our Board of Directors declared a semi-annual dividend,
and then announced a quarterly dividend in April and July 2011. Our Board of
Directors intends to continue paying quarterly dividends, provided that any
future determination as to payment of dividends will depend upon the financial
condition and results of operations of the Company and such other factors as are
deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.

Dividend and stock repurchase activity in the last ten years are as follows:

Dividends per share

-------------------

Total value

of Per share

Total Total repurchased price of

Dividend dividends dividend repurchased

s paid Regular shares

Year paid (000's) dividend paid (000's) shares

---- --- -------- ---------- --------- -------- ----------- -----------

2011 (1) Four $ 191,742 $ 0.65 $ 0.65 $ -- $ --

2010 (2) Three $ 182,814 $ 0.41 $ 0.62 $ -- $ --

2009 Two $ 106,943 $ 0.36 $ 0.36 $ 41,104 $ 18.69

2008 (3) Three $ 117,474 $ 0.26 $ 0.395 $ 25,958 $ 22.00

2007 Two $ 66,216 $ 0.22 $ 0.22 $ 87,312 $ 20.93

2006 Two $ 60,548 $ 0.20 $ 0.20 $ 17,294 $ 18.25

2005 Two $ 46,935 $ 0.155 $ 0.155 $ 18,739 $ 13.38

2004 Two $ 30,350 $ 0.10 $ 0.10 $ -- $ --

2003 Two $ 15,935 $ 0.053 $ 0.053 $ -- $ --

2002 One $ 3,794 $ 0.013 $ 0.013 $ -- $ --

(1) Note: The 2011 dividend paid amounts include the impact from this dividend
announcement. The total dividend paid amount for 2011 includes amounts
previously paid in the first ($0.25 per share), second ($0.13 per share), and
third ($0.13 per share) quarters, and an estimate from this announcement using
the number of shares outstanding on September 30, 2011. The 2011 shares
repurchased information is as of September 30, 2011.

(2) The 2010 Dividend includes two regular payments totaling $0.41 per share
and a supplemental dividend paid in December of $0.21 per share.

(3) The 2008 Dividend includes two regular payments totaling $0.26 per share
and a supplemental dividend paid in December of $0.135 per share.

All information reflects the two-for-one stock splits effected in the form of a
stock dividend in each of 2002, 2005, and 2011.

Fastenal sells different types of industrial and construction supplies in the
following product categories: threaded fasteners and miscellaneous supplies;
tools; metal cutting tool blades and abrasives; fluid transfer components and
accessories for hydraulic and pneumatic power; material handling; storage and
packaging products; janitorial, chemical and paint products; electrical
supplies; welding supplies; safety supplies; metals, alloys and materials; and
office supplies.

Additional information regarding Fastenal is available on the Fastenal Company
World Wide Web site at www.fastenal.com.

The Fastenal Company logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6432

This press release contains statements that are not historical in nature and
that are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward looking
statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including a statement regarding expectations as to payment of a quarterly cash
dividend in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to payment of
dividends will depend upon the financial condition and results of operations of
the Company and such other factors as are deemed relevant by the Board of
Directors. For example, a change in business needs including working capital and
funding for acquisitions, or a change in tax law relating to dividends, could
cause the Company to decide not to pay a dividend in the future. A discussion of
other risks and uncertainties is included in the Company's 2010 annual report on
Form 10-K under the section captioned "Risk Factors" and the Company's 2010
annual and 2011 quarterly reports under the section captioned "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
FAST-D

CONTACT: Sheryl Lisowski, Controller
507.453.8550