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Retirement Savings Plan | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Retirement Savings Plan [Abstract] |
Retirement Savings Plan | Note 6. Retirement Savings Plan The Fastenal Company and Subsidiaries 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan covers all of our employees in the United States. Our employees in Canada may participate in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan. The general purpose of both of these plans is to provide additional financial security during retirement by providing employees with an incentive to make regular savings. In addition to the contributions of our employees, we make a profit sharing contribution on an annual basis based on an established formula. Our contribution, under this profit sharing formula was approximately $7,717, $5,005 and $0 for 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

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