Airgas and BAE Systems Sign Five-Year Supply Agreement

RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG), today announced it has signed a Strategic Agreement with BAE Systems (LSE:BA.L), the United Kingdom-based defense and aerospace company. Airgas will supply BAE System’s manufacturing locations throughout the United States with bulk and packaged industrial gas, welding hardgoods and related products, and personal protective equipment (PPE) products. The five-year agreement will be part of the Airgas Strategic Accounts program which serves multi-location customers who benefit from sole-source supply and supply chain management services.

“This agreement strengthens our partnership by extending Airgas supply to all three principal operating groups— Electronic Intelligence and Support, Land & Armaments, Programs and Support— with the industrial gases, welding hardgoods and PPE safety products they require”

“Airgas has been providing packaged gases, welding hardgoods and PPE safety products to various BAE Systems locations for a number of years,” said Pat Visintainer, Airgas senior vice-president – corporate accounts.

“This agreement strengthens our partnership by extending Airgas supply to all three principal operating groups— Electronic Intelligence and Support, Land & Armaments, Programs and Support— with the industrial gases, welding hardgoods and PPE safety products they require,” said Annie Van-Vuong, Strategic Commodity Manager, BAE Systems Inc. “Airgas has the national footprint, comprehensive offering, and supply chain management expertise that will help BAE’s Systems divisions optimize performance.”

Airgas strategic account managers and teams within 12 Airgas regional companies provide day-to-day service through more than 850 branch locations nationwide. The Airgas Strategic Accounts approach combines the company’s industry-leading distribution platform of products and services with professional expertise to deliver custom-tailored solutions for a broad array of industries.

About BAE Systems:

BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

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 approximately 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.