Airgas to Acquire Aeriform, with 29 Locations in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas.

RADNOR, Pa. -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and operations of Houston, TX-based Aeriform Corporation, an independent distributor with 29 locations in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The companies expect to close the transaction by September 1, subject to due diligence, customary closing conditions, and regulatory reviews.

The operations to be acquired have about 240 employees and annual sales of approximately $65 million. About 58% of its revenue comes from gas & rent, with the balance from traditional welding hardgoods.

"This will be a great fit with our core business operations along the Gulf Coast and the Mid South," said Airgas Chairman and CEO Peter McCausland. "The added resources will improve our coverage and help us efficiently deliver better service to customers in this key energy market."

Airgas will integrate most of the operations into three of its regional companies: Airgas Southwest will integrate 14 sites in Texas, including locations near Houston, Victoria, El Paso, and Lubbock. Airgas Gulf States will integrate seven sites in southern Louisiana and east Texas. Airgas Mid South will integrate two sites in Kansas, and four sites in Oklahoma, and two locations in Shreveport, Louisiana.

As part of the acquisition, Airgas will offer employment to most of the 240 employees of Aeriform affected by the acquisition.

"We are excited about joining Airgas through this transaction, which will offer great opportunities for our customers and our employees," said Michael Stoddard, president and CEO of Aeriform. He added, "Airgas is not only acquiring an outstanding group of customers, but an exceptionally talented team of associates, who have worked very hard over the years to build the company it is today."

"We look forward to welcoming Aeriform associates, and to offering our new customers a broader product range to meet their gases, welding and safety product needs," said Mike Molinini, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Airgas.

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also the third-largest U.S. distributor of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants and ammonia products. Its 10,000 employees work in about 900 locations including 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 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 Company's expectation of closing the transaction by the September 1; the integration of Aeriform Corporation into Airgas regional companies; the acquisition being a great fit with our core business operations along the Gulf Coast and the Mid South; the expectation that the company will be able to better serve customers as a result of the acquisition; the company's intention to offer employment to most of the employees of Aeriform; and its plans to offer new customers a broader range of products. 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 inability to successfully integrate the operations of Aeriform; the Company's inability to retain the former employees of the acquired business; customer acceptance of the Company's products; and other factors described in the Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2006 and other forms filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.