Pictured above: Fastenal's Coventry branch manager Sandra White and Shortland Horne's David Bullard

An expanding multi-billion dollar American company has chosen Coventry as one of its first bases in the UK.

Fastenal has moved onto the Little Heath Industrial Estate in Old Church Road, Foleshill, from where it supplies fasteners to the manufacturing industry.

The company turned to Coventry-based commercial agents Shortland Horne, acting on behalf of Coventry City Council, to find a suitable location to service a contract with TEREX Construction, which manufactures construction equipment in the city.

Andrew Taylor, district manager of Fastenal, said: "The unit was ideal because it suited our business needs and provided us with the room for growth.

"We are a $2.4 billion American company growing globally. Our first base in the UK was Dundee and now we have opened up in Coventry and have just signed a lease in Wales.

"In Coventry, we are essentially supplying nuts and bolts to local manufacturers. Business is very good and we are looking forward to expanding by supplying manufacturers in the wider Midlands area."

Fastenal was founded in 1967 and has more than 2,500 stores throughout the USA.

The global company's UK operation is part of Fastenal Europe. It also operates in Brazil, Canada, Singapore, China, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico and Singapore.  

Coventry branch manager Sandra White heads up a team of six employed at the unit, which is situated on the popular city council-owned industrial estate close to the A444 Phoenix Way and with easy access to the M6 motorway.

She said: "The unit suits us really well mainly because of its location as it is close to our main customer base and because of the amount of space that it provides."

The 3,540 sq ft facility was previously occupied by an engineering company.

Shortland Horne's David Bullard negotiated the three-year lease with Fastenal.

He said: "Fastenal wanted a unit quickly and on the doorstep of one of their major customers. We were delighted to offer them a home on this well-managed industrial estate and unit G6 proved to be ideal for their purposes. With the assistance of the city council's legal department the whole transaction was concluded within three weeks of the first viewing. 

"It is good to see expansion here, particularly from a major overseas company, and this is a great testimonial for council-owned property which is always well-maintained and offers good value for money. 

"Most importantly though this is good news for the city with Fastenal showing the commitment to underpin jobs in Coventry."

Shortland Horne is currently marketing similar units on the Little Heath Industrial Estate. For more information, telephone 024 7623 2970.

Shortland Horne are appointed agents for Commercial Property Management (CPM), a department of Coventry City Council. The CPM team manages the council's commercial property portfolio and has a wealth of experience available to assist businesses to find the right premises.