Airgas Safety Signs Multi-Year Agreement with International Paper.

Business Editors

RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2001

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today announced the signing of a three-year agreement with International Paper for Airgas Safety to supply personal safety equipment to its plants nationwide. The agreement is part of Airgas' National Accounts Program, which focuses on corporate customers requiring sole source supply to multiple manufacturing sites across North America.

Airgas Safety Products will be the sole vendor for protective eyewear, hardhats, gloves and other safety equipment to more than 240 International Paper plants in the U.S. The agreement is expected to generate $9 million in annual sales for Airgas Safety.

"International Paper joins a growing list of major corporations in our National Accounts program, which focuses on delivering a national integrated distribution network to our largest customers," said Airgas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Peter McCausland "As large, multi-site companies like International Paper seek to streamline their vendor management process, they want the kind of national footprint, broad product and service offering and supply chain solutions that Airgas can provide today."

"We are delighted to reach an agreement with Airgas to provide quality safety products to our paper plants across the United States. The strategic account process, that Airgas brings to International Paper, will provide supply chain efficiencies which yield cost savings well beyond competitively priced products," said Kelly Newcomer, Buyer, Corporate Purchasing, of International Paper.

About International Paper:

International Paper (http://www.internationalpaper.com) is the world's largest paper and forest products company. Businesses include paper, packaging, and forest products. As one of the largest private forest landowners in the world, the company manages its forests under the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI(SM)) program, a system that ensures the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees while protecting wildlife, plants, soil, air and water quality. Headquartered in the United States, International Paper has operations in nearly 50 countries, employs more than 117,000 people and exports its products to more than 130 nations.

About Airgas Safety:

Airgas Safety is one of the largest suppliers of safety products in the U.S. Created through the combination of IPCO Safety and Lyons Safety, Airgas Safety has been a pioneer and industry leader in safety, abatement, environmental clean-up and industrial hygiene equipment and supplies for more than 80 years.

About Airgas:

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. Airgas' integrated distributor network consists of approximately 700 locations, including branches, packaged gas fill plants, distribution centers, and inbound and outbound telemarketing operations. For more information on Airgas, please visit www.airgas.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Airgas within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding expected sales from the agreement with International Paper. 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 statements include a change in economic conditions affecting the customer's ability to continue purchasing products from Airgas, increased competition and pricing factors. 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.