The Fastenal Company, Winona, MN, reported sales for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2008, were $625 million, an increase of 17.1% over the third quarter 2007.
 
Profit increased to $72.9 million in the third quarter, an increase of 17.3%.
 
The third quarter of 2008 included a $10 million legal settlement.
 
Sales for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008, were $1.79 billion, an increase of 16.4% over the same period in 2007. Profit increased 23.1% to $217.1 million.
 
During the first nine months of 2008, Fastenal opened 140 new stores, representing an increase of 6.5% since Dec. 31, 2007. There were 13,417 total employees as of Sept. 30, 2008, an increase of 11.7% from Dec. 31, 2007 and 12.7% from Sept. 30, 2007.

The full release on Fastenal’s earnings is available here.