Airgas Expands Availability of eCatalog; Credit Card Purchases Now Available Online.

Business Editors

RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2002

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today announced several enhancements to its eBusiness capabilities, including making its extensive eCatalog more widely available to customers on the Internet. Visitors to http://b2b.airgas.com can now browse the most popular products in the eCatalog, which had been available only to registered users of the B2B site. Visitors also can purchase products by credit card.

"One of the major purposes of the eBusiness site has been to help customers find the right products for their needs," said Kelly Justice, vice president of strategic planning and market development, who leads the eBusiness channel at Airgas. "We've now made it easier for customers to find gases, tools, welding supplies and safety products. At the same time, we are raising awareness of the broad product and service offering available from Airgas."

Registered users will continue to have access to an array of account management tools that help manage the procurement process. Customers can quickly search through products and compare product information side-by-side. Through a "My Catalog" feature, customers can create their own catalog of commonly ordered products, and review order status, obtain customer-specific pricing, and review past invoices. Since opening its electronic doors a year ago, the site has registered 7,000 users and 6,000 corporate accounts

"If you are an existing Airgas customer, we recommend requesting an account online or from your account manager before ordering to ensure you receive any pre-negotiated pricing and so your account information remains current," said Justice.

In addition to wider access to the eCatalog, many sections of the B2B site have been redesigned to include fewer graphics and pop-up windows. The product menu has been streamlined to make it faster to load and easier to use, and the checkout process now takes fewer clicks.

"The bottom line is that many of our customers want the self-service option that the web offers. When customers can access information and place orders in less time on the web than it would take to pick up the phone, more customers will use the web, which will help reduce procurement costs for our customers and for Airgas," said Justice.

The new features of the eBusiness site include:

-- Credit card purchases are now enabled for customers without accounts

-- Online account registration for current Airgas customers

-- Registered customers continue to have access to account information, contract-specific pricing, order status and invoice history

-- Checkout process is now streamlined and saves default shipping and payment choices

For more information, visit the eBusiness site at http://b2b.airgas.com and click on the online demonstration, or call your local Airgas branch.

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. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.

Forward-Looking Statement 

This press release contains 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 statements regarding: the expansion of the availability of its eCatalog making it easier for customers to place orders; the reduction of procurement costs for customers and Airgas; and customers' desire to utilize the self-service option offered by use of the internet. 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 Company's ability to operate the eCatalog website successfully; customer acceptance of the eCatalog website; increased competition; adverse changes in customer buying patterns; adverse changes in general economic conditions; and other factors described in the Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2002, Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2002 and Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2002, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.