Fastenal founder Bob Kierlin dies at 85

(KWNO)-Fastenal founder Bob Kierlin has passed away. Kierlin was born and raised in Winona and graduated from Cotter Schools. He founded Fastenal in 1967. At first, the company primarily sold screws, threaded rods and nuts used in the construction industry. But over the years Fastenal grew into a multi-billion-dollar global company selling a wide range of industrial and mechanical products. Fastenal has retail stores in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Panama. Kierlin was also a philanthropist and politician, serving in the Minnesota Senate from 1999 to 2007. Bob Kierlin was 85 years old.