A Transformational Lineup

A transformational lineup

June 4, 2025
By the Blue Print Editorial Team

What makes a great team?

Cue the NFL music of your choice, because it’s time to introduce your supply chain support lineup. Each “player” was selected based on how their skills match a certain football position. Like most sports analogies, the connections can feel a little strained. And yes, one player got the job solely because of their name – looking at you, “Safety.” But hey, we figured it’s a fun way to highlight some of the talent and resources you can use in your business.

Quarterback

Player: Your local Fastenal team

A great quarterback is reliable. You know they can be trusted to make the right call in critical moments. Fastenal's local teams are just that. Across all 3,000 locations, they're dependable partners who are always ready to step in and provide the support you need to keep you business running smoothly.

Whether they're a short drive away or on site in your facility, these local field generals are dedicated to executing your game plan. And because they're skilled problem-solvers, they can call audibles to help you sidestep issues like inventory fumbles and supply chain blitzes.

Offensive line

Player: Fastener engineers

Offensive lines and fasteners ... the only time you really notice them is when they fail. That's why with fasteners, failure is not an option.

Fasteners (like an offensive line) must be durable. They need to withstand crazy stresses and environmental conditions to provide the stability and longevity you need. Meanwhile, Fastener supply chains need to be agile and reliable. The last thing you need is to get blindsided by a disruption or quality issue.

To reduce risk and cost, you can call in the stalwarts of the trenches: fastener engineers. These experts help out with things like prints, value engineering, assembly techniques, product testing, and creating a preferred fastener library. They protect your business and create openings for your next production run to be successful.

Wide receiver

Player: Metalworking specialists

This is all about going deep. This is all about speed. You need to know how many pieces a machine can process before changing an insert. The faster and longer you can go, the more you can produce.

A wideout is measured by their 40 time. Metalworking tools are measured by cost per cut and processing speed. This is where a field application specialist comes into play. They provide testing and time studies to dial in on the best tool, cutting speed, and feed rate for your specific application.

Say it takes you 1.5 minutes to make a piece? What if they find a way to do it in 45 seconds? What if you could cut changeout time in half with a tool that lasts twice as long? That kind of time savings is possible. So … what would you do with extra cycle time?

Running back

Player: Logistics

You've seen it a hundred times. A team marches down the field only to be stopped at the goal line. The lesson? You need a plan for the last mile.

Running backs need great vision to be able to read and adapt. They need elite reflexes to be able to shoot sideways when a previously open lane closes. But sometimes it comes down to sheer will – a willingness to do what others won’t or can’t. Through that lens, Fastenal's logistics team is the All-Pro running back you go to on third and goal. Here’s why.

The last mile is the most complex and expensive span of the supply chain, but not when you hand it off to Fastenal. With our investment in global capabilities, local inventory, and a last-mile delivery fleet, the product never gets stuffed at the goal line – it’s consistently right there when and where your employees need it.

Defensive line

Player: Inventory management technology

Great defensive lines control the game by containing problems before they run wild. They don't just chase the ball - they anticipate where the ball will be.

Inventory management technology can play a similar role in your operations. Automated replenishment systems, such as RFID bins, provide 24/7 monitoring of your inventory levels. So, rather than reactively filling orders, we’re proactively staging, moving, and replenishing products to make sure problems never materialize.

By avoiding stock-outs, rush orders, and emergencies, you’re able to go on offense – focusing on things that create value for the customer and grow the business.

Offensive coordinator

Player: Lean solutions specialists

An offensive coordinator is the mastermind that keeps the team moving forward. They analyze everything and come up with a game plan to achieve the best results. Fastenal's Lean Solutions team does exactly that, but for your supply chain processes.

First, they identify pain points and areas of improvement. Then they present a custom set of solutions and oversee a smooth implementation so you can avoid trouble like Saquon Barkley pirouetting over would-be tacklers. Communication is key (although the fancy coordinator-style headsets are optional). The Lean team works with your various departments to make sure everyone's involved and working from the same playbook. The result? Custom solutions that fit the needs of everyone on the team.

Cornerback

Player: Supply chain experts

In today’s turbulent world, you need agility. An ability to read the situation, make adjustments, and prevent the worst-case scenario from happening. The good news: You’re not isolated in
man-to-man coverage – you have deep help.

Just as cornerbacks watch a quarterback’s eyes and react quickly to break up passes, supply chain experts anticipate potential disruptions and respond swiftly to mitigate risks. They use strategies such as multi-sourcing, setting deeper safety stock, and using automation tools to ensure continuity.

Adapting on the fly is the name of the game. And supply chain experts are students of the game. They adjust strategies based on changing market conditions and geopolitical issues. They develop contingency plans and maintain a well-balanced supplier base. They make anticipation and reaction look easy.

Safety

Player: Safety professionals

Safeties and safety professionals may seem like opposites. In football, a safety is a “headhunter.” In business, safety is all about protecting heads (and entire humans). But from another angle, you can see that both are in the business of prevention. One prevents big plays; the other prevents injuries.

Both roles require vigilance. Safety professionals are always on the lookout for potential hazards. When spotted, they take immediate action to address them. To identify threats, they
conduct risk assessments and work to mitigate risks before they become a problem.

Like a safety calling out adjustments at the line of scrimmage, a safety professional needs to communicate with employees, management, and regulatory bodies. In short, they do everything they can to create a cohesive safety culture.

Coaching staff

Player: District, regional, and corporate leadership

Even the most experienced QB needs solid coaching. To that end, your local team is always learning from the rest of the organization. There’s a regionally based leadership structure that’s engaged in serving you.

Coaches must make quick decisions during games to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities. District Managers and Regional Vice Presidents face similar responsibilities, making critical decisions to resolve issues and optimize operations. They use their experience and expertise to navigate complex situations and drive success.

Teams don’t become world-class just by showing up. They have to learn, train, and grow. This coaching staff makes that possible.

Ready to transform your operations?

Let's work together to create a winning strategy for your supply chain. Reach out to your local Fastenal team to talk through how we can support your business. Whether you need help with inventory or you just want to talk about how lopsided the last Super Bowl was, we’re game.