Fastenal Powers Up 2026: Bringing the SkillsUSA-Make48 Pod to Georgia

The 2026 season is shaping up to be a monumental year for Make48, and a huge part of that story involves a familiar name stepping into a bigger role: Fastenal.

We are thrilled to announce that Fastenal has officially signed on as a major supporter for 2026. But this year, they are going beyond the usual patronage; they are helping us bring the competition directly to the students who need it most.

Fastenal: Technology that drives transformation https://www.fastenal.com/

A True Partnership 

Fastenal has been a multi-year supporter, but 2026 marks a significant expansion of that relationship. This year, they are powering an entire POD for the SkillsUSA competition, a move that Make48 CEO Tom Gray says changes the dynamic in a very positive way. 

"Fastenal’s expanded role in 2026 represents a shift from sponsorship to true partnership. By powering an entire Make48 Pod and serving as a Co-Challenge partner at the SkillsUSA competition, Fastenal brings real-world manufacturing insight, credibility, and scale directly into the student experience," said Gray. "It allows students to work on authentic industry-driven challenges, understand how products are actually built and distributed, and develop skills that align with today’s workforce needs. Fastenal has a large workforce, and this partnership in education only helps with the talent pipeline."

While the "Pod" focuses on four specific schools, Fastenal's impact will be felt across the entire 2026 season. A key component of this partnership is product placement at all Make48 events, ensuring every competing team has access to professional-grade supplies.

"We are all about product design and prototyping," Gray added. "I am glad we can continue this initiative as teams use all sorts of safety equipment, fasteners, and goods that are well stocked in their vending machine. ALL teams utilize this resource in their builds."

The Georgia Connection 

For the SkillsUSA Pod specifically, Fastenal had a distinct vision: bring the action to Georgia.

This initiative is about access. By supporting the "Pod" concept, Fastenal is ensuring that resources are on the ground for four incredible SkillsUSA school chapters from the region:

• DeKalb High School of Technology South

• Colquitt County High School

• Flowery Branch High School

We asked Jen Harnisch, Fastenal Marketing Strategist, why this specific region was a priority for the company.

"Not only is Atlanta home to one of our largest distribution centers, but it’s also one of the largest logistics hubs in the US. We felt it made sense to support schools around this critical piece of the nation’s supply chain," Harnisch explained. "Employers, ourselves included, continue to prioritize Georgia because of the state’s robust labor pool, strong infrastructure, and a lower cost of living in the southeast. In other words, Georgia attracts tens of thousands of new residents yearly. This makes the area a very strong market and a strategic location to support workforce development."

Building the Future Workforce

The collaboration with SkillsUSA is a natural fit. Both organizations are dedicated to preparing students for the realities of the modern workforce.

"SkillsUSA empowers students to gain skills and become leaders. Those are exactly the qualities that we (and every other hiring team) look for in candidates," said Harnisch. "Innovation and ambition are two of Fastenal’s core values. By preparing students for evolving industries, SkillsUSA is creating the problem-solvers we hope to hire in the future. By encouraging those same students to set high goals, they are strengthening the work ethic we hope to tap into. By helping these students, Fastenal and SkillsUSA hope to create a workforce that can rise to the unforeseen challenges tomorrow is sure to hold."

Looking Ahead to Competition 

The excitement will kick off at the first in-person event, where these teams will face off in a challenge that is currently under wraps. While the specific problem they have to solve is still a secret, the pressure and the stakes will be very real.

Stay tuned as we reveal more details about the challenge theme and what these students will be building. With Fastenal in their corner, the 2026 season is already off to a powerful start.