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!

70
Years in Business
3
Generations of Leadership
12
States Served
From 1956 to today — scroll to explore the moments that define us.
Use arrows or drag to navigate
Founding Era
1956
FamilyFounding
Founded in Birmingham, AL as Southern Duo-Fast by Bill Rue Sr. and B.R. Albright.
1957
Expansion
Relocated to Montgomery, AL after a strong first year.
1962
Expansion
Expanded into Amory, MS to serve the booming upholstered furniture market.
Growth Era — 1970s & 80s
1970s
ExpansionFamily
Bill Rue Jr. and Ricky Albright joined. Branches opened in Birmingham, Decatur, Pensacola, Jackson, and Mobile.
1980s
Expansion
New branches in Dothan and Haleyville, AL. Office and service teams expanded.
Third Generation — 1990s & 2000s
1990s
FamilyExpansion
New HQ in Montgomery. Atlanta & Douglas branches opened. Les Rue joined — third generation begins.
2000s
BrandFamily
Expanded to AR & LA. Rebranded as Fastening Solutions Inc. (FSI) in 2003. Will Rue joined in 2009.
Diversification — 2010s
2011
ProductExpansion
Acquired All Pak, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL — full industrial packaging line added.
2013
Brand
EZFIT rebranded with updated graphics, elevated to a signature national-caliber brand.
2015
Expansion
Opened Tampa and Orlando branches to support Central Florida customers.
2016
MilestoneExpansion
Celebrated 60 years family-owned — only 13% of U.S. family businesses reach a third generation. Opened Grand Prairie (Dallas), TX branch.
2018
Expansion
Opened High Point, NC to serve the furniture industry and expand into new markets.
Modern Era — 2020s
2020
Product
EZFIT expanded with a premium range of hand-drive screws for decking, fencing, siding, and drywall.
2022
MilestoneBrand
S•C•R•A•P•P•Y Core Values launched — Service, Communication, Reliability, Accountability, Pioneering, Personal, and You.
2023
ExpansionProduct
Multi-Family construction expansion — building envelope solutions, structural screws, and safety gear added.
2025
ProductBrandMilestone
TOROTWIST deck screws launched. New FSI website live. Montgomery Building B renovation complete — 34,000 sq. ft. with 6 new inbound docks.

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.

Core Values Initiative
S•C•R•A•P•P•Y
The principles that guide everything we do
S
Serving
We constantly challenge ourselves to provide customers with the best solutions to their problems.
C
Communications
We share what we know, with each other and with our customers and our vendors.
R
Reliability
We say what we mean – and mean what we say.
A
Accountability
We hold ourselves to a higher standard of performance – individually and as a team.
P
Pioneering
We are agile and creative in solving our customers’ problems.
P
Personal
We are family-owned, and treat all our associates as members of the FSI family.
Y
You
Our focus is on YOU, our customer, and YOU our associates.
Watch our story
S•C•R•A•P•P•Y
Fastening Solutions, Inc. — Core Values
Fastening Solutions, Inc. — SCRAPPY Core Values

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.

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