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Fastenal PPE Vending Machine vs The Safety Source

Dec 3rd 2025

Posted by Nicole

Fastenal PPE Vending Machine vs The Safety Source

When companies explore PPE vending solutions, Fastenal is often one of the first names they encounter simply due to brand recognition and national presence. At The Safety Source we have a very competitive and flexible program that allows you to stock the machine, unlike other national suppliers; but we also offer a vending program where our vending technicians will fill your machines, track inventory, place your order, organize, clean and provide maintenance to your machines on a daily or weekly schedule. Making sure you always have the supplies you need, when you need it.

 

We offers a PPE vending program designed for companies that want greater flexibility, control, and cost savings. With access to hundreds of vendor relationships, we can source almost any PPE or MRO item you want to vend. This gives you the freedom to choose exactly which gloves, glasses, respirators, hearing protection, tools, or vending supplies go into your machine, ensuring your vending program aligns with your operational needs.

Monitor PPE Usage in Real-Time and Control Access to Vending Supplies

Another major advantage of The Safety Source is our advanced real-time tracking software. Every item dispensed, down to the user, time, product type, and quantity is automatically recorded. This usage data helps identify trends, highlight high-consumption areas, monitor inventory, and streamline restocking. Customizable reporting gives you full transparency into supply usage across your workforce, and all reports can be exported for internal review, budgeting, or compliance documentation.

 

Control is another area where our PPE vending machine program stands out. You can create usage limits by employee, department, item category, shift, or time frame. These rules help prevent overuse, reduce waste, and ensure that only authorized individuals access the products they’re supposed to use. And because these limits can be adjusted at any time, your vending program can evolve as your facility’s needs change.

 

The vending machine software tracks usage in real time by recording every item dispensed, including user, time, and product details. This data helps monitor inventory levels, identify high-usage items, and streamline restocking. Reports can be customized and exported, giving you full visibility and control over supply usage and consumption trends.

Training and Support Included with Every PPE Vending Machine

We provide training and support with every vending machine installation. Your team will learn how to operate the system, manage user limits, interpret usage reports, and optimize restocking. This ensures that your PPE vending program is efficient, transparent, and easy to manage from day one.

Competitive Pricing That Beats National Suppliers

Our PPE and MRO supply pricing is highly competitive. In many cases, we can beat major suppliers like Uline, Grainger, and Fastenal. By sending us your current supply list, we’ll provide a line-by-line comparison to show potential cost savings while maintaining high-quality safety products.

Why The Safety Source PPE Vending Program Stands Out

The difference is clear: while other providers may simply offer a vending machine, The Safety Source provides a complete PPE vending solution. With flexible stocking, a wide range of supplies, real-time tracking, customizable limits, competitive pricing, and dedicated support, our program is designed to maximize safety, control costs, and streamline supply management for any facility.

 

If you’re considering a PPE vending machine or looking to improve your current setup, The Safety Source can help. Send us your supply list or usage data, and we’ll show you how much you can save while improving accountability, efficiency, and access to safety supplies. Upgrade to a smarter, more flexible PPE vending program and give your facility the tools it needs to stay safe and productive.

"Dakkota Integrated Systems is thrilled with the PPE vending solutions provided by The Safety Source LLC. Their reliable systems have streamlined our safety equipment distribution, ensuring our team has quick and easy access to the essential gear they need. The partnership has significantly enhanced our workplace safety and efficiency, and we highly recommend their services."

Plant Superintendent
Dakkota Integrated Systems

MAGNA Logo

"The team at The Safety Source displaced a competitor and introduced our facility to industrial vending for our safety (PPE) supplies. Magna is very happy with the cost savings, control and service The Safety Source provides, we never run out of crucial supplies and we have seen a 40% reduction in consumption."


Facility Manager
Magna Seating

Detroit Manufacturing Systems

"We have been contracting The Safety Source to manage our MRO supplies with their state of the art vending software we have seen on average $6,000 per month savings! They also perform pallet racking repairs & installation and have always accommodated our busy production schedule while providing the best value."


EHS Manager

Detroit Manufacturing Systems

Three vending machines with The Safety Source logo, displaying various PPE products.
Vending machine stocked with safety supplies and equipment.
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PPE Vending Machine FAQs

Can We Use PPE Supplies From Another Supplier?

The Safety Source would obviously like to be your PPE Supplier, but you can purchase your PPE Supplies from another vendor if you purchase the machine or if you're leasing the machine. For those Enterprise customers that are spending $6,000 a month or more per machine we will provide the machine and the software at no charge. We simply require that you spend $6,000 a month in supplies that go into the machine from the Safety Source. 

Can I Set Vending Limits For My Employees?

The vending software allows you to set vending limits and restrictions for each department or as granule as each employee. For example, you can set limits so each employee can only vend 1 pair of safety glasses every day or week. Or you can restrict certain items to specific departments, so employees that work in a cold storage area are the only employees who have access to cold weather gloves. 

What Kind Of PPE Supplies Can Go Into The Vending Machine?

Typically you'll want to dispense high volume consumable items like safety glasses, gloves, sleeves, and vests. We've also have customers that vend earplugs, ear muffs, and even lens wipes. We also have customers that vend industrial items like paint markers, small hammers and chisels. So if your consumption is starting to get out of control, PPE Vending may be a valid option for you.

Who Is Responsible For Repairs?

If the machine has been vandalized or damaged the machine that is not regular wear and tear, the customer is going to be responsible for the repair of those damages. If it's just typical wear and tear, like a motor goes out, there is a 36 month warranty on parts. And the replacement parts will be shipped to the customer. 

What Happens If The Power Or Internet Goes Out?

If the power goes out, the machine will not operate since the Vending Machine needs a power source. If the machine goes offline or loses internet connection, the vending machine will store the transactions in it's memory banks until internet connection is restored. 

Will The Vending Machine Have Problems Vending My PPE Supplies?

We will test vend every item to ensure there are no issues dispensing. We will also setup a planogram that shows which location each item will vend from on the vending machine. For large item's that do not fit in a standard vending machine, we recommend utilizing one of our locker style vending options, that are designed for oversized items.

Is Training Included?

We will provide 20-30 minutes of virtual training and we can provide additional training as well. We will be training the administrator of your company, showing them how to add and remove employees from the system, as well as implementing any employee restrictions.

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