Airgas Acquires Wright Welding in Iowa, Basin Welding in Texas, and Mainland Welding in BC
RADNOR, PA - December 3, 2007 -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today announced it has acquired Wright Welding Supply, Inc., an industrial gas and welding supply distributor headquartered in Des Moines, IA, and two other distributors in Texas and British Columbia. All three transactions closed effective December 1, 2007, adding a total of $22 million in acquired annual sales.
Wright Welding Supply, Inc. operated in Iowa and eastern Nebraska from five locations in Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Oskaloosa, and Council Bluffs, IA; and Omaha, NE, with an industrial and specialty gas fill plant in Des Moines. The operations, with about 40 employees, have been integrated into Airgas North Central, one of the regional companies within Airgas.
"We are very excited that Rick Kersey, the owner of this second-generation family business, and his team at Wright Welding will join us," said Ron Stark, president of Airgas North Central. "They will add invaluable industry and operational experience to an already strong team in Iowa and Nebraska."
"Joining Airgas will open great opportunities for our people and our customers," said Kersey. "We look forward to offering our customers an even greater array of products and services."
In Texas, Airgas has acquired Basin Welding Supply in Odessa, TX, which had been owned by industry veterans Randy Squibb and Scott Joyce since 2002, and operated by Joyce.
"In the past five years, Scott and his vice president of sales, Chad Brooks, have done an excellent job growing the business," said Brent Sparks, president of Airgas Southwest, which has integrated the business into its region. "We are pleased to welcome them and another 8 employees from Basin, who will give us better coverage in West Texas."
Sparks also noted that Basin's new fill plant in Odessa, which opened in February 2007, will improve capabilities to fill packaged gases for customers in Odessa and the surrounding area.
"Airgas and its enhanced product offering, including specialty gases and safety products, will allow us to better serve our customers," said Joyce.
In British Columbia, Airgas has acquired Mainland Welding Supplies Ltd., based in Surrey, BC, near Vancouver. The gases and welding distributor was founded in 1988. The current owners, Elizabeth and Richard Rickert, along with approximately 15 employees, have joined Airgas Canada, which operates in western Canada as part of the Airgas Nor Pac region.
"We welcome the Mainland associates to the Airgas Canada team," said Dan Tatro, president of Airgas Nor Pac. "The acquisition adds a second location in the Vancouver area and when fully integrated with our operations, including a fill plant in Delta, BC, we will greatly reduce the need for cross-border deliveries to serve customers in Canada."
"We look forward to working with Airgas to ensure a smooth transition for our people and our customers," said Richard Rickert, president of Mainland Welding.
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.
For more information on Airgas, please visit www.airgas.com
Airgas, Inc.
259 N. Radnor-Chester Road
Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
tel: (610) 687-5253
fax: (610) 687-1052
Jim Ely
Phone: (610) 902-6010
