8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 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 10, 2008

AIRGAS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-9344	56-0732648
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

259 North Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087-5283

   (Address of principal executive offices)   

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253

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))

Item 8.01 Other Events

On March 10, 2008, Airgas, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the reinstatement of its existing share repurchase plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the repurchase of up to $150 million of Airgas common stock and was originally approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in November 2005. Subsequently, the Company repurchased approximately $13 million of Airgas common stock under the Plan. In July 2006, the Plan was suspended while the Company consummated and integrated its acquisitions of Linde AG’s U.S. bulk and packaged gas assets. The Company will repurchase common stock under the Plan as market conditions permit.

The press release announcing the reinstatement of the Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)	None
(b)	None
(c)	None
(d)	Exhibits.

     99.1 — Press Release dated March 10, 2008

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

AIRGAS, INC. (Registrant)
BY:	/s/ Thomas M. Smyth
	Thomas M. Smyth
	Vice President & Controller

DATED: March 10, 2008

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

  Airgas, Inc.
259 N. Radnor-Chester Road
Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087-5283
www.airgas.com

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 Reinstates Share Repurchase Plan

RADNOR, PA — March 10, 2008 — Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today announced the reinstatement of its existing share repurchase plan. The plan, which authorizes the repurchase of up to $150 million of Airgas common stock, had been suspended while the Company consummated and integrated its acquisitions of Linde AG’s U.S. bulk and packaged gas assets. To date, the Company had purchased $13 million under the authorization prior to suspension of the program. As of March 1, 2008, Airgas had approximately 82,600,000 shares outstanding.

“With the Linde acquisitions contributing according to expectations, and with most of the integration work behind us, this is a good time to reinstate our share repurchase plan,” commented Airgas Chairman and CEO Peter McCausland. “Our business is performing well and our cash flow is strong. Accordingly, we have the liquidity necessary to continue investing for growth, fund our dividend program, and repurchase shares as market conditions permit.”

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors 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 14,000 employees work in over 1,100 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.

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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: the integration of the Linde acquisitions; the Company’s business performing well and strong cash flow; and the Company’s liquidity to continue investing for growth, paying dividends and repurchasing shares. 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: supply cost pressures; increased industry competition; our ability to successfully consummate and integrate acquisitions; a disruption to our business from integration problems associated with acquisitions; an economic downturn; adverse changes in customer buying patterns; significant fluctuations in interest rates; increases in energy costs and other operating expenses; the effect of catastrophic events; political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events; and other factors described in the Company’s reports, including its Forms 10-K dated March 31, 2007, subsequent Forms 10-Q, and other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.