Airgas to Outsource Shared Service Operations to Accenture; Six-year Agreement to Bring New Process Improvements, Flexibility to Support Airgas' Growth.

Business Editors

RADNOR, Pa. & WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2002

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) and Accenture (NYSE:ACN) today announced an agreement for Accenture to manage and operate a financial shared services center (SSC) on behalf of Airgas. Under a six-year contract, Airgas will outsource its general ledger, fixed asset and accounts payable processing to Accenture's operations in Wilmington, Delaware. The transition to the SSC is expected to commence on July 1, 2002 and be completed by the end of the calendar year.

"As part of last year's Project One work, we concluded that consolidating these functions from our operating companies into a shared services center would facilitate improved process efficiency and effectiveness," said Airgas Chief Financial Officer Roger Millay. "We view this as an important step in our journey to rationalize Airgas' infrastructure and progress toward our goal of having the most efficient cost structure in our industry. As we looked at how to build this center, we concluded that outsourcing was the most logical choice. We believe that Accenture's capabilities provide Airgas the greatest opportunity to drive continuous process improvements and maintain flexibility as our business grows and evolves."

Millay emphasized that customer functions that rely on close interaction with the customers including accounts receivable, billing, credit and collections would remain within the operating companies.

Accenture's Wilmington location was selected for a combination of cost considerations, site readiness, access to world-class workforce skills and proximity to Radnor. At its peak, approximately 100 people will be supporting the SSC.

Millay added, "We conducted a detailed analysis to compare internal and outsourcing options and determined that outsourcing will provide Airgas with the greatest benefits. Accenture has developed a proven core competency in business process management by handling these functions for other companies and we are confident in their capabilities. Their experience should position us for a faster and less disruptive transition, allowing us to maintain short-term effectiveness and access the benefits earlier."

"Industry leaders like Airgas are positioning for growth by outsourcing key business processes to improve performance and allow flexibility to better serve their customers," said Richard Smith, Accenture's lead partner for business process outsourcing in the chemicals industry. "We look forward to a long-term relationship with Airgas, and to leveraging our Wilmington facility as a major asset in our network of global delivery centers."

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 700 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 telemarketing 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.

About Accenture

Accenture is the world's leading management and technology services organization. Through its network of businesses approach -- in which the company enhances its consulting and outsourcing expertise through alliances, affiliated companies and other capabilities - Accenture delivers innovations that help clients across all industries quickly realize their visions. With more than 75,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of $11.44 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. Its home page is www.accenture.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 expected timing for the transition to the shared services center; the expectation that the SSC will employ 100 people at its peak; anticipation of a faster and less-disruptive transition; maintaining short-term effectiveness and accessing benefits earlier. Airgas and Accenture intend 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 Companies 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 an unsuccessful transition to the SSC; technological difficulties; workforce continuity; acceptance by customers and suppliers; adverse changes in general economic conditions; political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events and other factors described in Airgas' reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2001 and Form 10-Q dated December 31, 2001 filed by Airgas with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

www.airgas.com