The Fastenal Case study is based on the examination of an industrial supply company that was heavily impacted by new entrants and the growth of low price leaders like Amazon entering the industrial supply industry in 2012.
However, before 2012 Fastenal was a fast growth company. The company introduced an innovative distribution system and provided manufacturers time-saving approaches to access their fasteners and parts inventories, billing systems and so on.
Why did a company like Fastenal capable of smart innovative solutions and with smart workers and capable leadership did not see an entrant like Amazon as a threat and prepare for such a threat event? What was lacking and why? Use the ADR model in your analysis.
