Airgas CFO Indicates Positive Second Quarter Trends; Earnings Teleconference Details Provided.

RADNOR, Pa. -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Roger Millay today announced at the Banc of America Securities Conference in San Francisco that the company is on track to report 8 to 10% same store sales growth for its second quarter ending September 30, 2004.

Total same-store sales have improved sequentially throughout the quarter, Millay noted. Gas sales have improved over the first quarter, however lower-margin product sales continue to lead the total growth. As a result of these sales trends, the company expects second quarter earnings per share to be at the higher end of its previously announced range of $0.29 to $0.32. The EPS estimate excludes 2 to 3 cents of integration expenses, which are mostly comprised of systems-related costs, for the recent acquisition of BOC's U.S. packaged gas business.

The Company will release its second quarter earnings at approximately 4:30 pm ET on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 and will host a teleconference at 11:00 am ET on Thursday, October 28, 2004. The presentation materials will be available on the Internet at http://www.shareholder.com/arg/slides.cfm by 5:00 pm ET on October 27. A webcast of the teleconference will be available live and on demand through November 30 at http://www.shareholder.com/arg/medialist.cfm

The teleconference will be available by calling [phone]. A replay of the teleconference will be available through November 3. To listen, call [phone] and enter passcode 976784.

Airgas, Inc. is the largest distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases and welding equipment and one of the largest distributors of safety supplies in the United States. Its integrated network of about 900 locations includes branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information on Airgas, please visit www.airgas.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that are forward looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Company being on track to report 8 to 10% same store sales growth for its second quarter ending September 30, 2004; the Company's expectation that second quarter earnings per share will be at the high end of it previously announced range of $0.29 to $0.32. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors and should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement include: the success of the Company's ability to grow sales and market share; the cost of integrating the BOC business into the Company's operations; an economic downturn; increased industry competition; adverse changes in customer buying patterns; significant fluctuations in interest rates; political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events; and other factors described in the Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2004 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.