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Retirement Savings Plan | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract] |
Retirement Savings Plan | Note 5. 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 contributions. In addition to the participation of our employees, we make annual profit sharing contributions based on an established formula. The expense recorded under this profit sharing formula was approximately $8,665, $13,669, and $11,460 for 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

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