Airgas Sponsors Second AWS Foundation Scholarship; Airgas - Jerry Baker Scholarship Honors Former Owner and Hub President.

Business Editors

RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2002

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) announced it will underwrite a second American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation college scholarship to honor Jerry Baker, a former owner and hub president, who continues to work for Airgas Mid America in Bowling Green, KY.

The Airgas - Jerry Baker Scholarship will be offered for the school years beginning September 2003 to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor's degree in welding engineering (WE) or welding engineering technology, with priority given to students in WE interested in pursuing a career with an industrial gas or welding equipment distributor.

"Jerry Baker is the kind of entrepreneur that has helped Airgas succeed through strong local customer service," said Airgas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. "Jerry sold his business to Airgas and stayed to help us build our position as the market leader in the U.S. packaged gas and welding distribution business.

Baker, who sold the Southern Welding Supply Co. to Airgas in 1986, continues to work for Airgas Mid America, one of Airgas' twelve regional companies, as Director of Corporate Development, working out of its Bowling Green, KY branch. "He continues to show a great passion for the distribution business and has earned the respect of colleagues and customers," said Bob Hilliard, president of Airgas Mid America, who began his career working for Jerry Baker.

A graduate of Bowling Green Business University with a bachelor's degree in accounting, he began his career in industrial gas and welding supplies in 1954 working for the family business, Southern Welding Supply, and became its sole owner in 1972. After selling to Airgas in 1986, he continued on to serve as President of Kentucky Airgas, one of the original hub companies formed by Airgas, until 1995, when the hubs were combined to create the current regional company structure.

Baker is received an Honorary Doctorate from Western Kentucky University in 2002 and serves as Chairman of the Western Kentucky University Foundation and is a director of the Kentucky Arts Council and Citizens First Bank, Bowling Green, KY.

"Through this scholarship, we hope to encourage others to get the education they need to have a successful career with an industrial gas or welding equipment distributor," said Andrew R. Cichocki, senior vice president - Human Resources.

The Airgas - Jerry Baker Scholarship joins a similar Airgas - Terry Jarvis Memorial Scholarship, also offered through the AWS Foundation to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor's degree in welding engineering (WE) or welding engineering technology, with priority given to students in WE interested in pursuing a career with an industrial gas or welding equipment distributor.

The Terry Jarvis Memorial Scholarship honors Airgas South employee Terry Jarvis, who died at the age of 39 in 1999. He had started as a truck driver and became the Assistant Branch Manager in the Pelham, AL store, where he was well respected and well liked by those around him.

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.