Airgas Completes Salt Lake City Installation of AcuGrav Computerized Specialty Gas Filling System.

Business Editors

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2004

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today reported that its Airgas Intermountain specialty gas facility in Salt Lake City has completed installation of the company's proprietary AcuGrav(TM) computerized high-tolerance specialty gas filling system, enabling quality, precision, and consistent filling of multi-component blends.

Airgas has now installed this new technology in four of its specialty gas facilities nationwide, with three additional installations scheduled by fiscal year-end.

"Airgas Intermountain is very excited about offering the AcuGrav computerized precision filling and blending system to our specialty gas customers in the Rocky Mountain region," said Dan Tatro, president, Airgas Intermountain. "With this installation now up and running in our Salt Lake City facility, we are able to reduce the variability in manual filling, providing greater accuracy, consistency and reliability to our specialty gas customers."

Developed by Airgas' in-house automation team the AcuGrav system programmatically executes Airgas-specific SOPs to ensure each mixture meets tolerances every time.

"From the user's perspective, AcuGrav provides additional efficiencies, allowing users to multi-task while filling -- a benefit not previously available in manual fills," said Robert Shock, director of automation and lead developer of AcuGrav.

The AcuGrav data collection unit is completely modular and features state-of-the-art technology, including a real-time embedded control system to handle I/O and time-critical routines. Dual two-GHz Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 central processing units provide the graphical user interface and control loop. This real-time operating system consists of 450 subroutines.

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding, safety and related products. Its integrated network of nearly 800 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. Airgas Intermountain, headquartered in Denver, CO, is one of 12 regional companies within the U.S., has 31 locations operating in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and western Nebraska. In addition to a full line of industrial and specialty gases and welding supplies, it is also a major supplier of safety equipment. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.

Forward Looking Statement

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 installation of AcuGrav filling systems at three additional Airgas specialty gas facilities by the end of fiscal 2004; and the ability to bring the benefits of this technology to additional customers. 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 failure of the AcuGrav filling systems; the inability to complete additional installations; and other factors described in Airgas' reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2003 and Forms 10-Q dated June 30, 2003, September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2003 filed by Airgas with the Securities and Exchange Commission.