The Aberdeen store is one of more than 200 new stores Fastenal Company has opened in the past year. The company operates 1,680 stores served by 12 distribution centers nationwide.

The Aberdeen store features a large selection of high-quality construction and industrial supplies, the company said in a release.

The store is at 111 O’Connor Place, off N.C. 5.

Fastenal offers contractors and industrial suppliers a complete line of tools and supplies. The new store represents Fastenal’s commitment to the Aberdeen area.

The store is managed by Josh Ellis. Mike Butler is the assistant manager.

Ellis has been working as an assistant manager in Fayetteville before becoming manager of the Aberdeen store.

The store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

With a focus on customer service, Fastenal’s huge product offering makes it the premier fastener company in North America, the release said. The products are backed by a local and national sales force trained through the company’s internal training program — the Fastenal School of Business.

Fastenal Co. sells different types of industrial and construction supplies in 12 product categories. These include different types of threaded fasteners and miscellaneous supplies, tools, metal working, fluid transfer components and accessories for hydraulic and pneumatic power, material handling, storage and packaging, janitorial and paper products, electrical supplies, welding supplies, safety supplies, and raw materials (metals).

Fastenal services include special fasteners and related manufacturing, tool repair, regrinding and resharpening of cutting tools, weld-to-length saw blades, cut-to-length metals, inventory management systems, hose crimping and special packaging.

Fastenal Co. has 8,753 employees at locations in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Singapore. Each store utilizes local inventory, outside sales staff, and on-site delivery vehicles to help save its customers time and money.

The company intends to continue its expansion in 2005, hiring additional sales employees in the local and surrounding markets.

Additional information regarding Fastenal Co. is available on its Web site at www.fastenal.com.