Monticello Fastenal Branch Named Best Looking Store in the Company
Store beats out nearly 2,000 competing locations to nab grand prize
Winona, MN – There are nearly 2,700 Fastenal stores around the world, but none of them are as clean, organized, and well merchandised as the Fastenal store in Monticello, AR. That’s the finding of the team of judges who recently named Fastenal Monticello the winner of the company’s 10th annual “BK Best Looking Store” contest.
A total of 1,896 Fastenal stores participated in the competition, vying for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. Stores were judged according to a range of criteria, including the appearance of the storefront and counter area, the overall cleanliness and organization of the store, and the creativity of the central merchandising display. The panel of judges included Fastenal CEO Will Oberton, President Lee Hein, and Bob Kierlin himself, the founder of the company and the namesake of the “BK” contest.
"The perception that our customers have of Fastenal comes from what they encounter in our stores and from their interactions with Fastenal personnel,” said Kierlin. “Certainly, our people are super – the result of good recruiting, training and opportunity – but our stores’ appearance can convey an image ranging from neglect to pride. This contest matters because it elicits pride by the branch people in their branch, which pays off with better stores, better displays and a better customer experience. I’d like to congratulate General Manager Ken Gage and everyone at the Monticello branch for showing us just how good a Fastenal store can look.”
As the grand prize winner, the Monticello store received $5,500 (to be used for marketing and advertising) along with 50 blue Fastenal t-shirts to share with customers and a plaque commemorating their win.
