American firm expands UK operations into Coventry

AN EXPANDING multi-billion dollar American company has opened its first operation in England on a Coventry business park.

Fastenal, which is headquartered in Minnesota, has moved onto the Little Heath Industrial Estate in the Foleshill area of the city, from where it is supplying fasteners to the manufacturing industry.

The 3,540 sq ft facility, previously occupied by an engineering company, will be used to service a contract with TEREX Construction and joins Fastenal’s only other UK operation in Dundee, with a third due to open in Wales.

The Coventry branch is headed up by manager Sandra White along with five other staff.

The location was found by Coventry-based agents Shortland Horne, acting on behalf of Coventry City Council, which agreed a three-year lease.

Andrew Taylor, district manager of Fastenal, said: “The unit was ideal because it suited our business needs and provided us with the room for growth.

“We are a $2.4bn American company growing globally. In Coventry, we are essentially supplying nuts and bolts to local manufacturers.

“Business is very good and we are looking forward to expanding by supplying manufacturers in the wider Midlands area.”

Fastenal was founded in 1967 and has more than 2,500 stores throughout the USA.

It also operates in Brazil, Canada, Singapore, China, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico and Singapore.