Fastenal Company Announces Cash Dividend

WINONA, Minn., July 10, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Fastenal Company of Winona,
MN (Nasdaq:FAST) reported its Board of Directors declared a dividend of $.37 per
share be paid in cash on August 28, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close
of business on August 17, 2009. The Company expects that it will continue to pay
a comparable semi-annual cash dividend in the foreseeable future, 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:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total value
Total Total of Per share
dividend dividend repurchased price of
Dividends paid paid per shares repurchased
Year paid (000's) share (000's) shares
------ ---------- ------------- -------- ----------- -----------
2009 Two $ 106,942 (1) $ 0.72 $ -- $ --
2008 Three (2) $ 117,474 $ 0.79 $ 8,944 $ 44.72
2007 Two $ 66,216 $ 0.44 $ 87,312 $ 41.86
2006 Two $ 60,548 $ 0.40 $ 17,294 $ 36.49
2005 Two $ 46,935 $ 0.31 $ 18,739 $ 26.75
2004 Two $ 30,350 $ 0.20 $ -- $ --
2003 Two $ 15,935 $ 0.105 $ -- $ --
2002 One $ 3,794 $ 0.025 $ -- $ --
2001 One $ 3,415 $ 0.0225 $ -- $ --
2000 One $ 3,035 $ 0.02 $ -- $ --

(1) Note: The 2009 dividend paid amounts include the impact from
this dividend announcement. The total dividend paid amount
in 2009 has been estimated using the number of shares
outstanding on June 30, 2009. The 2008 shares repurchased
information is as of June 30, 2009.

(2) 2008 Dividend includes two regular payments totaling $0.52 per
share and a supplemental dividend paid in December of $0.27 per
share.

All information reflects the 2-for-1 stock splits effected in the
form of a stock dividend in each of 2002 and 2005.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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; and metals, alloys and materials.

As of June 30, 2009, Fastenal operated 2,350 stores in the United States (all 50
states), Canada (all provinces), Puerto Rico (multiple), Mexico (14 states),
Singapore (one location), Netherlands (one location), and China (one location)
selling to the general public. The Company operates 14 distribution centers
located in Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, Washington,
California, Utah, North Carolina, Kansas, Ontario, Canada; Alberta, Canada; and
Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

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

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 comparable
semi-annual 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 2008 annual report on Form 10-K under the section captioned "Risk
Factors" and the Company's 2008 annual and 2009 quarterly reports under the
section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations".

FAST-D

-0-
CONTACT: Fastenal Company
Investor Relations
Jean DuBois, Executive Assistant
507.454.5374