Airgas Joins Forces With supplyFORCE.com; Market Leading Distributor of Gases and Welding Products Extends Network.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

RADNOR, Pa. & KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 2000

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) and supplyFORCE.com, a premier provider of fully integrated, supply chain and B2B e-commerce solutions for the procurement of MRO and construction supplies, announced today that Airgas has joined supplyFORCE.com's leading North American distributor network. Airgas brings to supplyFORCE.com their market leading distribution network of gases and welding products. In addition, Airgas will augment supplyFORCE.com's already strong position in the safety products market.

In its first year, supplyFORCE.com has built North America's largest distributor network consisting of approximately 300 independent distribution companies with more than 3,400 shipping locations across North America. Airgas will add its established "One Airgas" integrated distribution network, with 700 locations in 44 states, Canada and Mexico, to the supplyFORCE.com network. At the end of 2000, supplyFORCE.com expects its network membership to include over 350 distributors with approximately $24 billion in annual sales and 4600 stocking locations.

Combining the efficiency of B2B e-commerce with the strengths of traditional, local distribution to offer single-source, single-price, single-invoice national account contract services, supplyFORCE.com is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of Airgas customers. Airgas' large, multi-site customers will benefit from the reliable local delivery and technical support provided by the entire supplyFORCE.com network.

"We are thrilled about our partnership with supplyFORCE.com," said Peter McCausland, chairman and chief executive officer of Airgas. "supplyFORCE.com and its distribution network will benefit from access to Airgas' large customer base. We will benefit as a premier supplier of gases and welding supplies to their distribution network. Together we will deliver the most effective supply chain management services and the broadest product offering to national and local accounts."

Bill Weisberg, chairman and chief executive officer of supplyFORCE.com, said, "Airgas is a powerful and complimentary addition to supplyFORCE.com's best-in-class distributor network. Its integrated distribution network, its leadership in gases and welding products and its customer-focused national account strategy are an excellent fit with supplyFORCE.com. Together we will satisfy a broad array of customer needs and create real value in supply chain services."

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc., is the largest distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases and related equipment and one of the largest distributors of safety supplies in the United States. Airgas' integrated distributor network consists of approximately 700 locations including branches, packaged gas fill plants, distribution centers and telemarketing operations. Airgas may be visited on the Internet at www.airgas.com.

About supplyFORCE.com

supplyFORCE.com is dedicated to providing its industrial, commercial and contractor customers with national account and integrated supply solutions and Web procurement options. It enables its Participating Distributors to participate in e-commerce by developing private label catalogs and by routing orders from the supplyFORCE.com marketplace. Its leading North American network of over 3400 distributor locations provides timely delivery by maintaining more than $2.5 billion in inventory. supplyFORCE.com's "clicks and mortar" solutions empower customers to meet individual and corporate procurement requirements and to participate in sophisticated e-business initiatives while maintaining relationships with local distributors. For more information about supplyFORCE.com, please visit www.supplyforce.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Airgas within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the benefits to be derived by Airgas from its partnership with supplyFORCE.com and Airgas' ability to deliver effective services and products. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statement include supplyFORCE.com's ability to attract customers who accept Airgas' services and products, dependence on the success of supplyFORCE.com's e-business strategy, Airgas' ability to supply services and products in a timely manner, increased competition, changes in the e-commerce industry and general economic conditions. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Airgas' periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2000.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements about supplyFORCE.com that are based on current expectations and involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. Among factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include those relating to the Company's early stage of development and projected rapid growth, ability to raise capital to meet liquidity needs, dependence on its network of participating distributors, ability to attract new distributors and supply customers, development of effective information systems and dependence on key personnel. Other risk factors include changes in business conditions in the e-commerce, Internet or the supply industry; the general economy; competition; and impact of government laws and regulation.