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Company Timeline
From humble beginnings supplying power fastening products in Alabama, Fastening Solutions Inc. has grown into a regional leader, serving the Southeast and beyond. Our success is driven by a dedicated team, strong family leadership, and a continuous focus on quality, innovation, and service.
A newspaper clipping and photograph from 1956 mark the start of our journey!
Company Timeline
1956 – Founded in Birmingham, AL as Southern Duo-Fast by Bill Rue Sr. and B.R. Albright.
1957 - The company relocated to Montgomery, AL after a strong first year.
1962 – Expanded into Amory, MS to serve the booming upholstered furniture market.
1970s – Bill Rue Jr. and Ricky Albright joined the company. New branches opened in Birmingham, Decatur, Pensacola, Jackson, and Mobile.
1980s – Continued regional growth with new branches in Dothan and Haleyville, AL. Office and service teams expanded.
1990s – Built a new headquarters in Montgomery. Entered the Georgia market with branches in Atlanta and Douglas. Les Rue joined the team, marking the start of the third generation.
2000s – Expansion into Arkansas and Louisiana. In 2003, the company rebranded as Fastening Solutions Inc. (FSI) to reflect its broader product offering. Will Rue joined in 2009.
2011 – Acquired All Pak, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL, adding a full line of industrial packaging products to its offering.
2013 - EZFIT collated fasteners rebranded with updated graphics and packaging, elevating it into a signature brand that rivals national competitors in both quality and presentation.
2015 – Opened branches in Tampa and Orlando to support customers in Central Florida.
2016 – Celebrated 60 years as a family-owned business. Only 13% of U.S. family businesses reach a third generation — FSI is proud to be one of them. Opened branch in Grand Prairie (Dallas), TX to support customers in North Texas.
2018 – Opened a location in High Point, NC to further serve the furniture industry and expand into new markets.
2020 - The EZFIT product line expanded with a premium range of hand-drive screws for exterior decking, fencing, siding, and drywall applications.
2022 - FSI launches its Core Values initiative, coined “S•C•R•A•P•P•Y,” emphasizing Service, Communication, Reliability, Accountability, Pioneering, Personal, and You—defining the principles that guide how we serve customers, support our people, and drive innovation.
2023 - Wider expansion into Multi-Family construction, broadening the product line beyond collated fasteners to include building envelope solutions, structural screws, safety gear, and more.
2025 - TOROTWIST high performance branded line of deck screws introduced. New FSI Company Website launched. Montgomery “Building B” renovation and expansion completed — 34,000 sq. ft. warehouse upgraded with 6 new inbound docks to support increased volumes.
S•C•R•A•P•P•Y Core values initiative
Serving | Communications | Reliability | Accountability | Pioneering | Personal | You
Founder and Family Leadership
From its founding in 1956, Fastening Solutions, Inc. has been guided by the vision and leadership of the Rue family. William H. Rue, Sr. built the foundation, and his son, William H. “Bill” Rue Jr., carried the company forward with steady growth and innovation. Together, their leadership established the multi-generational legacy that continues to define FSI today.
William H. Rue Sr.
Founder & President 1956 - 1999
William H. Rue, Sr., a Duke University graduate, was a pioneering entrepreneur and co-founder of Southern Duo-Fast, the company that evolved into today’s Fastening Solutions, Inc. (FSI). Founded in Birmingham in 1956 and later based in Montgomery, Rue grew the business into a regional leader serving industries from furniture to construction. His vision laid the foundation for a family-owned company now in its third generation. Renamed FSI in 2004, the business continues to honor Rue’s legacy through innovation, customer focus, and strong multi-generational leadership.
William H. “Bill” Rue Jr.
President & CEO 1999 - 2015
William H. “Bill” Rue Jr. is Chairman of the Board of Fastening Solutions, Inc. (FSI), the company founded by his father. After earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of the South and an MBA from Emory University, Bill served in the U.S. Air Force Systems Command before beginning his career at FSI in 1970. In 1999, the Rue family became the sole shareholder, and Bill led the company through significant growth and diversification in the fastening and industrial packaging industry. Retired since 2015, he continues to guide FSI’s long-term vision as Chairman.
Current Key Business Segments
Corporate Bio's
William “Will” H. Rue III
President and CEO
William “Will” H. Rue III is President and CEO of Fastening Solutions, Inc. (FSI). A graduate of The University of the South with an MBA from Vanderbilt University, Will joined FSI in 2009 as part of the third generation of Rue family leadership. He succeeded his father, Bill Rue Jr., as President and CEO in 2015 and has since guided the company’s strategic growth, customer-focused initiatives, and expansion across the Southeast, Texas, and North Carolina.
Les Rue
Executive Vice President
Les Rue joined Fastening Solutions, Inc. in 1998 and represents the third generation of Rue family leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and an MBA from the University of Alabama. Drawing on his deep market experience and strong focus on customer service, Les guides the company’s sales strategy and growth. His leadership has been central to FSI’s expansion, its reputation for service excellence, and its long-standing client relationships across diverse industries.