Fastenal and FIRST® Robotics Team Up to Make Competitions Accessible to All

WINONA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fastenal Company (NASDAQ: FAST), a leader in global and local supply chain solutions, has partnered with FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to improve accessibility in all future FIRST^® Robotics Competition events. The project is part of Fastenal’s ongoing commitment to STEM initiatives and workforce development.

During a FIRST^® Robotics Competition event, team members work to maneuver their team-built robots around obstacles to accomplish tasks. However, they have to stand outside the competition field behind high walls and netting, often making it difficult for wheelchair users to see and operate their robots.

FIRST^® Robotics Competition Team 3313, Mechatronics out of Alexandria, Minnesota (whose own Andrew Fleming is a wheelchair user) set out to create a solution: a custom-engineered ramp that provides clear sightlines for all participants. After working with a local industrial engineer, Team 3313 presented their initial drawings to FIRST^®, whose engineers helped finalize the design. All they needed was a trusted manufacturing partner to bring the ramps to life.

Enter Fastenal. Fastenal's engineering and manufacturing teams worked closely with FIRST^® engineers to review the designs and fabricate the ramps, ensuring rigorous functional and accessibility standards were met.

"With a focus on education and engineering, FIRST^® is a natural fit for Fastenal's community efforts," said Sally Olson, director of marketing for Fastenal. "Two of our core values are innovation and teamwork — both were on full display with this project. We're honored to help Team 3313 turn a great idea into a real-world solution."

With financial support from local community partners, Fastenal's Winona, Minnesota-based manufacturing team produced a total of 50 ramps, which were delivered via Fastenal trucks to a FIRST^® distribution center in Pennsylvania. The ramps debuted at the global FIRST^® Championship event in late April and are now part of the standard competition show floor kit distributed to FIRST^® events.

"I've always felt like a part of my team," said Team 3313's Andrew Fleming. "But it's nice to know that my team and I have made such a large impact on the sport I love, Robotics. I enjoy the more equal access to the field with my teammates, and I hope other wheelchair users have the same feeling."

About Fastenal

Organizations around the world rely on Fastenal to help them simplify and secure the supply chain for a broad range of industrial products. To understand our customers' challenges and provide services and solutions that fit their unique needs, we've built out the most extensive presence in our industry, with a vast network of local teams and embedded technology. At the heart of it all is a simple commitment: great people, close to the customer, backed by world-class logistics, technology, and resources.

Additional information regarding Fastenal is available on our website at www.fastenal.com.

About FIRST^®

FIRST^® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future. FIRST^® provides life-changing, team-based K-12 robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, donors, and sponsors, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

An international not-for-profit organization founded in 1989, FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST^® programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST^® community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.

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