In October, OECM held its first-ever joint tradeshow in Kitchener, Ontario with Fastenal Canada, one of the awarded supplier partners on OECM’s Facilities Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) agreement, a hands-on event for Ontario’s broader public sector.
The event marked a milestone collaboration between OECM and Fastenal Canada, showcasing the power of partnership to connect, learn, and share best practices across Ontario’s public sector.
Facility and procurement teams from education, healthcare, municipal, and other public sector:
- explored maintenance, repair and operations tools, and services available through OECM’s Facilities Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) agreement
- met trusted OEMs and manufacturers (including Ansell, Brady, Dentec Safety Specialty, DeWalt, Gates, Dupont, GearWrench, Gojo, Kimberly-Clark Professional, Linedrive, Milwaukee, Pelican, Ryder Sales, Ronco, Superior Glove, Tillsonbrands, UCAN Fastening Systems, and Watson Gloves
- tested point-of-use technologies like industrial vending, lockers, and new eCommerce filters; and engaged on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), plastics recycling, and Canadian supply chain initiatives.
Guests also joined guided tours of Fastenal’s Kitchener Distribution Hub to see their inventory depth, automation, and fulfilment accuracy up close.
Fastenal’s Distribution Hub – Built for Speed, Safety, and Seasonal Readiness
The Distribution Hub in Kitchener, Ontario is Fastenal’s primary distribution center in Canada. Since investing in a 150,000 sq. ft. facility at 900 Wabanaki Dr. in 2014, the hub has expanded 50,000 sq ft. (that’s the size of almost 3 ice hockey rinks) to around 200,000 sq ft. to meet growing Ontario demand, pairing fast fulfilment, robust safety infrastructure, and an ESG mindset that diverts plastics and reduces waste.
With over 20,000 products readily stocked and priced specifically for public sector customers along with real-time pricing and inventory available on Fastenal Canada’s website, plus smart front-of-line staging for seasonal items like ice melt, the site keeps operations moving and procurement simple.
Highlights
- Seasonal Readiness: Ice melt and winter essentials are in stock, pre-positioned at the front of the line, and ready to ship for fast delivery.
- Fast fulfilment: Approximately 15,000–16,000 packages per day via efficient flight train pick paths.
- Heavy-duty handling: Five-crane storage streamlines bulky and palletized product movement.
- Safety infrastructure: Licensed for regulated/dangerous goods (including aerosols) with $4M invested in fire suppression, firewalls, automatic isolation doors, and oxygen-displacing foam.
- Assortment & online visibility: Over 20,000 SKUs stocked for public and broader public sector customers, with pricing and inventory visible on fastenal.ca.
- ESG in action: Plastics recovery and recycling plus waste-reduction programs across operations.
- Scale & visibility: Approximately $22M in on-hand inventory within a 200,000 sq. ft. warehouse, performance scorecards and delivery-safety KPIs to keep service levels high.
- Service model: On-site and delivered reps, flexible delivery and pickup, and a custom packaging centre for quick-pack orders.
FastVend: Automated Control of MRO Inventory Fastenal’s Network
One of the most interesting takeaways from the tour was seeing FastVend in action, Fastenal’s point-of-use system for consumables and shared tools. It combines 24/7 access with tighter governance, usage data, and automated replenishment, resulting in less waste, fewer stockouts, and clear visibility of spend and consumption across sites.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Automatic reordering: Remote monitoring with proactive refills.
- Access controls: Set who can take what, and how often.
- Usage tracking: Real-time visibility into consumption and cost.
- Local service: Supported by on-site Fastenal experts.
- No-cost equipment: Provided with a service agreement.
Flexible Device Options
- Smart Coil Machines: Ideal for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), batteries, abrasives, cutting tools, fasteners.
- Sensor-Enhanced Devices: Manage mixed sizes, higher-value consumables, and loose components.
- Usage tracking: Real-time visibility into consumption and cost.
- Industrial Asset Lockers: Control shared tools, calibrated instruments, electronics, and spot-buys.
For OECM Customers: The OECM Facilities MRO agreement allows OECM Customers to utilize the FastVend machines, lockers and technology at no additional cost.
FastBin: Extend Control to Open Bins & Shelves
Another standout from the tour, FastBin uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-enabled labels to extend FastVend-style visibility to open bins, shelves, and cabinets, capturing usage automatically without a vending machine. You get real-time counts, reorder triggers, and a clear audit trail for fast-moving consumables (PPE, fasteners, batteries, small parts).
Key Benefits
- Automatic usage capture: Taking and returning items updates inventory in the background.
- Fewer stockouts: Set minimum and maximum levels and trigger replenishment when bins dip below your established threshold.
- Faster cycle counts: Live bin status reduces manual checks and surprises.
- One dashboard: Data flows into the same reporting and controls you use for FastVend.
- Flexible deployment: Works in storerooms, maintenance carts, and janitorial closets.
For OECM Customers: FastBin can be added to extend site-wide tracking. Your Fastenal rep can confirm OECM eligibility, scope, and pricing.
Join one of Fastenal’s Weekly Hub Tours
Fastenal Canada hosts weekly distribution-hub tours in Kitchener., Ontario It’s a hands-on way for procurement and facilities leaders to see the automation, safety infrastructure, FastVend solutions, and fulfilment flow in action, then map those capabilities to your operations.
For more information or to book a tour, please reach out to canadagov@fastenal.com
Tradeshow Highlights: What’s New and Noteworthy
Alongside the hub tour, our joint tradeshow showcased new and noteworthy solutions from OEMs and manufacturers, with an emphasis on Canadian pricing and public sector readiness.
Some products and services we saw:
- Si2 Pro – Acoustic Leak Detection Camera (FLIR, via Linedrive): The Si2 Pro “sees” compressed-air and gas leaks by sound, enabling early detection where Infrared Red (IR) isn’t the right tool – offering a strong potential for energy savings and safety.
- ScruTool+ Adapter (Ucan): A TSTRH adapter that replaces a two-tool process with one, designed to help prevent over-torque in concrete applications.
- Ronco Recycle PPE Take-Back (Ronco): Order a collection box via Fastenal, fill it with used PPE, and schedule a pickup. Materials are sorted and recycled, and customers receive a third-party report for ESG tracking.
- DuPont Tyvek 500 HP Harness-Protection Outerwear (DuPont): Tyvek 500 HP and Tyvek 400 SFR garments designed to layer over harnesses, reducing heat- and flame-related exposure.
- “Thinnest, highest-cut” glove (Superior Glove): A remarkably thin glove with a very high cut rating, now a top seller where dexterity and protection both matter.
- Customizable Dispenser (Kimberly-Clark Professional ICON): Coordinated tissue, soap, and sanitizer system with customisable faceplates. Ideal for schools and civic spaces seeking branding and wayfinding.
Interested in Hosting an OECM Educational Tour?
OECM is always eager to learn more about our supplier partners and OEMs. If you are a supplier partner or OEM on one of our agreements and would like to host an OECM Educational Tour or event, please reach out to your OECM Supplier Relationship Manager.
