Fastenal Co. reported fastener sales declined 1.7% to $196.3 million (30.1% of overall sales) in January, improving from December’s 2.2% sales decrease.

Total January sales rose 1.% to $652.2 million, boosted by continued growth from manufacturing customers. Daily sales improved 1.9% to $29.6 million. Sales in the U.S. gained 1.7% to $541.4 million, while sales in Canada and Mexico increased 5.9% to $91.9 million.

By end market, sales to heavy manufacturing customers improved 1.8%, while sales to all other manufacturing customers increased 6.7%. Sales to non-residential construction customers dipped 3.6% during January.

Fastenal’s full time workforce increased 2.3% during the month to 21,131 employees. Distribution / transportation personnel grew 6% to 3,080, while manufacturing personnel increased 7.4% to 940 workers.

During 2024, Fastenal fastener sales declined 3% to $2.31 billion. Higher fastener container costs in the final quarter caused product margin pressure.