Airgas Completes Acquisition of Aeriform.

RADNOR, Pa. -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today announced that it has completed the planned acquisition of the assets and operations of Houston, TX-based Aeriform Corporation, an independent distributor with 29 locations in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Airgas first announced its agreement to acquire the operations on August 7, 2006.

The acquired business employed about 240 people and generated annual sales of approximately $65 million. About 58% of its revenue comes from gas and rent, with the balance from traditional welding hardgoods.

Airgas is integrating the Aeriform operations through three of its regional companies, with an effective date of September 1, 2006. Airgas Southwest has assumed operations of 14 sites in Texas, including locations near Houston, Victoria, El Paso, and Lubbock. Airgas Gulf States is integrating seven sites in southern Louisiana and east Texas. Airgas Mid South is integrating two sites in Kansas, four sites in Oklahoma, and two locations in Shreveport, Louisiana. A complete list of the acquired Aeriform locations and their alignment is available at www.airgas.com/documents/pdf/aeriformsites.pdf.

"Airgas and Aeriform people have worked to make this transition a smooth one for customers and employees," said Mike Molinini, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Airgas. "We welcome the Aeriform associates, who are joining our Airgas regional companies. We also look forward to welcoming Aeriform customers, and to offering our new customers a broader product range to meet their gases, welding and safety product needs."

"All of us at Aeriform are very pleased to complete this transaction on schedule, which will allow our organization and our customers to go forward with the nation's largest distributor," said Michael Stoddard, president and CEO of Aeriform Corporation.

Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., a middle market investment bank in Richmond, VA, served as financial advisor to Aeriform in the transaction.

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also the third-largest U.S. distributor of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants and ammonia products. Its 10,000 employees work in about 900 locations including 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, 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 integration of Aeriform's operations into Airgas regional companies; the smooth transition for Aeriform's employees and customers; the retention of Aeriform's employees and customers; and the expectation of offering Aeriform's customers a broader range of products. Airgas 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 inability to successfully integrate the operations of Aeriform; the Company's inability to retain the former employees and customers of Aeriform; customer acceptance of the Company's products; and other factors described in the Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2006, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, and other forms filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.