Fueling OSW's Supply Chain Upgrade

Fueling OSW's supply chain upgrade

September 8, 2025
By the Blue Print Editorial Team

Manufacturing parts for dump trucks takes – forgive the pun – a ton of work. That’s why OSW Equipment has a simple goal: increase throughput while making quality products.

As a dump body manufacturer, OSW builds components that allow dump trucks to haul rock and gravel, specifically the hydraulic dump beds that lift when emptying cargo.

How a company chooses to keep their competitive advantage varies from business to business, but OSW knows exactly what direction they’re moving in.

“One of our goals involves embracing technology to gain an edge,” said Brad Maus, plant manager for OSW.

Picking the right inventory management technology

Everyone knows technology is making its way into every corner of our lives, and inventory management is no different. For OSW, they wanted to eliminate stockouts, gain visibility into how items were being used, and improve the quality of the data they were able to collect.

Enter Fastenal. With well over 100,000 devices installed around the world, Fastenal is the largest inventory management technology company on the planet. In other words, Fastenal knows how to place vending machines and RFID supply bins to improve production and reduce headaches.

With vending devices, OSW now knows what’s being taken, who’s taking what, and where each item goes. Inventory can be cleanly tracked and controlled down to individual jobs. “Employees walk up, type in their employee number, a password, pick what they want to vend just like in a normal vending machine, take the product and walk away right then and there,” said Maus. “We get a report once a week that tells us exactly who took what and how much they’ve taken, which is great for us to be able to track consumables.”

Along with vending, RFID bins are at point-of-use locations so workers can keep up with the flow of production. Now, no one has to walk across the facility just for a few fasteners; instead, everything they need is right by their workstation. RFID bins also keep over- and under-stocks at a minimum, as Fastenal can track when supplies are low and time restocks accordingly.

Brad Maus | OSW Plant Manager
"Fastenal is always checking bins, refilling inventory, checking in with employees on the floor when they walk by, and making sure they don't need anything."

A curated partnership

Today, Fastenal handles a variety of supplies for OSW, including pre-kitting hydraulic components. Instead of their team measuring and cutting each hose for each truck individually, Fastenal’s industrial services team takes care of it, helping OSW save time and improve quality. Now, all an OSW worker has to do is grab the ready-made hoses for the next step in their production process.

“[Fastenal] is always checking bins, refilling inventory, checking in with employees on the floor when they walk by, and making sure they don’t need anything.” said Maus.

Regarding OSW’s aim to improve throughput, a major aspect involves reducing tasks that eat up time, like walking far distances for tools or workers organizing and stocking supplies themselves. These Fastenal solutions free up workers for tasks that create tangible value for OSW and their customers.

Fastenal’s dedicated service model is tailored based on a site’s unique needs. Two facilities may both want inventory management solutions, but while one has room for an onsite Fastenal crib, the other facility may not. Fastenal can adjust the model so stock is stored offsite at a local fulfillment center (as is the case with OSW). The footprint is a little different, but the results are the same.

“Any new technology we deploy, if it’s going to make the supply chain more efficient, OSW’s always eager to try it,” said Joe Kuehl, Fastenal’s local district manager. “For example, we launched the Click devices* a year ago, so they’re testing that right now. What makes Fastenal a successful partner for them is that they know who we are and how we go to market, especially with the supply chain and technology.”

"Fastenal helps us be a better manufacturer by having all the parts we need right when we need them at a competitive cost." - Brad Maus

Next up: Continuous improvement

What’s interesting about OSW is how the Fastenal services have been engaged, from streamlining inventory management to crimping, cutting, and pre-kitting hoses off-site. It’s not just filling bins and vending machines; it’s about getting deep into the process of the business to make an impact and add value.

“Fastenal helps us be a better manufacturer by having all the parts we need right when we need them at a competitive cost,” said Maus.

Through this partnership, OSW has been able to shorten lead times, simplify inventory management, and reduce costs. Perhaps more importantly, they’ve gained a long-term partner committed to continuous improvement. Whether it’s ten months or ten years from now, Fastenal will be ready to support OSW through whatever changes lie ahead.