Driving Sustainability at Scale: Joe Wiltshire on Leadership, Safety, and Smarter Operations

In this episode of The Winners’ Circle, host Russ Fordyce sits down with Joe Wiltshire, Corporate EHS & Sustainability Manager at Fastenal, to explore how one of the world’s largest industrial supply companies is redefining what it means to be safe, sustainable, and scalable in today’s global economy.Fastenal operates across 25 countries, supporting more than 20,000 employees and over 3,200 branches and onsite locations. Joe leads the teams responsible for environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs, OSHA and EPA compliance, security initiatives, and sustainability strategy—a massive operation balancing people, planet, and process at scale.Joe shares how his 12+ years at Fastenal shaped his leadership philosophy and why EHS and sustainability are no longer checkboxes—they’re strategic pillars of long-term business resilience. From carbon reduction goals and data-driven reporting to innovative safety programs and digital inventory management, Joe walks us through the intersection of technology, compliance, and culture that drives Fastenal forward.You’ll also hear how Fastenal’s Fastenal Managed Inventory (FMI®) solutions and digital transformation efforts are improving efficiency, reducing waste, and helping partners across the supply chain meet their own sustainability targets.Key discussion highlights:How sustainability and safety initiatives work hand-in-hand to drive measurable impactThe importance of leadership and communication in building a safety-first cultureBalancing global compliance with local flexibilityFastenal’s approach to sustainability innovation in the industrial supply chainLessons on team management and mentorship across large global operationsPlus, Joe shares insights into the biggest changes he’s seen in OSHA and EPA compliance, how Fastenal keeps pace with evolving environmental standards, and what he believes the next five years of sustainability look like for the industry.Stay tuned until the end for our Quick Fire Round, where Joe gives fast, fun takes on leadership, sustainability, and Cleveland pride.🎧 Listen now and learn how a global company like Fastenal keeps its people safe, its business compliant, and its future sustainable.👉 Visit fastenal.com for more on Fastenal’s sustainability initiatives and supply chain solutions.👉 Follow the Winners’ Circle podcast for more stories from business and technology leaders shaping a better world.