-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, PUwuYoGsxsMQXSPf4oDbYD5MM7+Wo6n3vq1pjpA9Q/+qyPC0LSZch1v79SzO6jKt Bcqox8jkcA6B9v8ehXlrew== 0000893220-07-001206.txt : 20070403 0000893220-07-001206.hdr.sgml : 20070403 20070403152952 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000893220-07-001206 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070329 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20070403 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070403 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000804212 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [5084] IRS NUMBER: 560732648 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-09344 FILM NUMBER: 07743963 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 259 N. RADNOR-CHESTER ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 19087 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 259 N. RADNOR-CHESTER ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 19087 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS EAST INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158045 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [5160] IRS NUMBER: 061463355 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-24 FILM NUMBER: 07743982 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS GREAT LAKES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158046 IRS NUMBER: 061463355 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-23 FILM NUMBER: 07743981 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS MID AMERICA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158047 IRS NUMBER: 611237230 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-22 FILM NUMBER: 07743980 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158048 IRS NUMBER: 391845894 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-21 FILM NUMBER: 07743979 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS SOUTH INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158049 IRS NUMBER: 521390683 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-20 FILM NUMBER: 07743978 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS GULF STATES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158050 IRS NUMBER: 521633106 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-14 FILM NUMBER: 07743977 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS INTERMOUNTAIN INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158051 IRS NUMBER: 840590677 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-13 FILM NUMBER: 07743975 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS NOR PAC INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158052 IRS NUMBER: 911428840 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-11 FILM NUMBER: 07743974 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA & NEVADA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158053 IRS NUMBER: 232491493 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-10 FILM NUMBER: 07743973 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS SOUTHWEST INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158054 IRS NUMBER: 742768918 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-09 FILM NUMBER: 07743972 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS WEST INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158055 IRS NUMBER: 951525207 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-08 FILM NUMBER: 07743971 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS SAFETY INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158056 IRS NUMBER: 232840701 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-07 FILM NUMBER: 07743970 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS CARBONIC INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158058 IRS NUMBER: 582298979 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-05 FILM NUMBER: 07743969 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS SPECIALTY GASES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158059 IRS NUMBER: 760182866 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-04 FILM NUMBER: 07743968 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NITROUS OXIDE CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158060 IRS NUMBER: 232359281 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-03 FILM NUMBER: 07743967 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RED D ARC INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158062 IRS NUMBER: 880259460 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-01 FILM NUMBER: 07743966 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ATNL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158063 IRS NUMBER: 510371219 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-19 FILM NUMBER: 07743965 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS MID SOUTH INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158193 IRS NUMBER: 710775603 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-12 FILM NUMBER: 07743976 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 295 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 19087 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 295 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 19087 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AIRGAS DATA LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001158066 IRS NUMBER: 383398137 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68722-16 FILM NUMBER: 07743964 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGASS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 BUSINESS PHONE: 6106875253 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AIRGAS INC STREET 2: 259 NORTH RADNOR CHESTER RD STE 100 CITY: RADNOR STATE: PA ZIP: 190875283 8-K 1 w32857e8vk.htm FORM 8-K AIRGAS, INC. e8vk
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 29, 2007
AIRGAS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware   1-9344   56-0732648
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission File   (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)   Number)   Identification No.)
     
259 North Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100, Radnor, PA   19087-5283
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Press Release, dated March 29, 2007 issued by Airgas, Inc.


Table of Contents

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
     On March 29, 2007, Airgas, Inc. (“Airgas”) entered into the Packaged Gas Business Equity Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Linde Gas Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Linde Aktiengesellschaft, a German corporation (the “Guarantor”). Pursuant to the Agreement, Airgas will acquire certain of the U.S. packaged gas business assets of the Guarantor. On March 29, 2007, Airgas issued a press release announcing its entry into the Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
     Under the Agreement, Airgas has agreed to pay cash consideration of $310 million, which is subject to a customary working capital adjustment. The closing of the acquisition is conditioned upon U.S. Federal Trade Commission review and approval of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, and other customary closing conditions.
     The foregoing description of the Agreement does not purport to be complete, but is a brief description of the terms and conditions that are material to Airgas. In addition, this description shall be qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Agreement, a copy of which will be filed with Airgas’ Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements: None
(b) Pro forma financial information: None
(c) Shell company transactions: None
(d) Exhibits
         
 
  Exhibit 99.1   Press Release, dated March 29, 2007, issued by Airgas, Inc.

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant and Co-Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
                     
AIRGAS, INC.
  AIRGAS EAST, INC.
  (Registrant)   AIRGAS GREAT LAKES, INC.
        AIRGAS MID AMERICA, INC.
        AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL, INC.
BY:   /s/ Thomas M. Smyth   AIRGAS SOUTH, INC.
    Thomas M. Smyth   AIRGAS GULF STATES, INC.
    Vice President & Controller   AIRGAS MID SOUTH, INC.
        AIRGAS INTERMOUNTAIN, INC.
        AIRGAS NORPAC, INC.
        AIRGAS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA & NEVADA, INC.
        AIRGAS SOUTHWEST, INC.
        AIRGAS WEST, INC.
        AIRGAS SAFETY, INC.
        AIRGAS CARBONIC, INC.
        AIRGAS SPECIALTY GASES, INC.
        NITROUS OXIDE CORP.
        RED-D-ARC, INC.
        AIRGAS DATA, LLC
 
                   
                 
                  (Co-Registrants)
 
                   
 
      BY:   /s/ Thomas M. Smyth        
 
                   
 
          Thomas M. Smyth        
 
          Vice President        
 
                   
        ATNL, INC.
 
                 
                  (Co-Registrant)
 
                   
 
      BY:   /s/ Melanie Andrews        
 
                   
 
          Melanie Andrews        
 
          President        
DATED:  April 3, 2007
               

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EX-99.1 2 w32857exv99w1.htm PRESS RELEASE, DATED MARCH 29, 2007 ISSUED BY AIRGAS, INC. exv99w1
 

         
(AIRGAS LOGO)
    News Release   Airgas, Inc.
259 N. Radnor-Chester Road
Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087-5283
www.airgas.com
Exhibit 99.1
     
Investor Contact:
  Media Contact:
Jay Worley (610) 902-6206
  James Ely (610) 902-6010
jay.worley@airgas.com
  jim.ely@airgas.com
For release:      Immediately
Airgas Agrees to Purchase Linde’s U.S. Packaged Gas Business
RADNOR, PA – March 29, 2007 – Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire a significant part of the U.S. packaged gas business of Linde AG (LIN.DE) for $310 million in cash, to be financed under its revolving credit facility. The transaction is expected to close after regulatory approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
The operations to be acquired include branches, warehouses, packaged gas fill plants, and other operations involved in distributing packaged industrial and specialty gases and related equipment. The business includes 130 locations in 18 states, with more than 1,400 employees, which generated $346 million in revenues and $36 million in EBITDA in the year ended December 31, 2006. Approximately 50 percent of the revenues were from gas sales and cylinder rent, with the remainder from sales of welding equipment and supplies.
The transaction would exclude Linde’s LifeGas medical gas business, its Spectra Gas rare and specialty gas business, and its Caribbean and Canadian gases business. Also, Linde will retain certain acetylene production and packaged gas fill plants supporting the distributor customer business it will keep. The transaction also would not affect Linde’s ongoing merchant liquid, tonnage, pipeline and on-site business in North America and its packaged gas businesses in other parts of the world.

 


 

“The proposed acquisition would be positive for customers, associates, and shareholders,” said Airgas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. “The packaged gas locations would fill in our network in the Pittsburgh to Chicago corridor and in other important geographies in the eastern U.S., helping us serve customers more effectively.”
McCausland added, “This is an exciting opportunity that follows our successful acquisition of Linde’s divested U.S. bulk gas operations in early March.” Airgas completed the acquisition of the divested Linde Bulk Business on March 9, 2007.
Under terms of the definitive agreement, employees of the acquired U.S. packaged gas business would transfer to Airgas at closing, just as the bulk business employees have done. Most of the acquired operations and personnel would be integrated with seven existing Airgas regional companies, entirely in the eastern U.S.
Upon closing, Airgas intends to sell 17 of the acquired packaged gas facilities in the Carolinas, southern Virginia, and eastern Georgia to National Welders Supply Company, Inc., a joint venture between Airgas and the Turner family of Charlotte, NC. These operations generated $50 million in revenues in 2006 and employ about 185 people.
“Airgas has a proven track record of successfully integrating large and small acquisitions and we are confident in our ability to create value through this transaction,” said McCausland.
The Company expects the acquired business to be accretive to EPS up to $0.02 in the first 12 months after closing, during which time the majority of the integration costs will be incurred.
Analyst Teleconference Scheduled
Airgas will host a teleconference at 11:00 a.m. ET, March 30, 2007. The presentation materials will be posted on the Slide Presentations page of the Investor Info section of the corporate website, www.airgas.com, by 8:00 a.m. March 30, 2007. A webcast of the teleconference will be available live and on demand through April 30, 2007, at http://www.shareholder.com/arg/medialist.cfm. The teleconference will be available by calling (800) 665-0430. To hear a replay through April 30, 2007, call (888) 203-1112, and enter passcode 4023823.

 


 

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. More than 11,000 employees work in some 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 Statements
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: our expectations that the acquisition will be financed under our revolving credit facility and will close after regulatory approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions; the proposed acquisition being positive for our customers, associates, and shareholders; the acquired locations filling in the network in the Pittsburgh to Chicago corridor and other important geographies in the eastern U.S., helping serve customers more effectively; most of the employees and operations of the acquired business being integrated with seven Airgas regional companies; Airgas selling facilities in the Carolinas, southern Virginia, and eastern Georgia to National Welders Supply Company, Inc.; confidence in the ability to create value in this transaction; and the expectation that the acquired business will be accretive to EPS up to $0.02 in the first 12 months, during which time the majority of integration expenses would be incurred. We 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 us 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 successful integration of the Linde packaged gas business; increase in costs incurred in connection with the integration; the Company’s ability to retain the former Linde employees; the Company’s ability to satisfy the needs of the former Linde customers; regulatory approval of the proposed transaction and satisfaction of the closing conditions; the Company’s ability to identify, consummate and successfully integrate future acquisitions; an economic downturn; increased competition; customer acceptance of the Company’s products; adverse changes in customer buying patterns; adverse changes in general economic conditions; political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events; and other factors described in the Company’s reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2006, subsequent Forms 10-Q, and other forms filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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