Airgas Presents Mike Rohde With Annual Scott Melman Award

RADNOR, Pa.--(Business Wire)--
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today presented its eighth annual Scott
Melman Award to Mike Rohde, senior vice president, distribution
operations, for his exemplary leadership in the pursuit of excellence.

The award is named for Scott M. Melman, former chief financial
officer of Airgas, Inc., who died in 2001. According to the award's
inscription, it honors "Airgas employees who exhibit the qualities we
remember in Scott M. Melman: Professionalism, perseverance,
enthusiasm, energy, a sense of honor, and the courage to speak up and
make a difference."

"Mike has spearheaded two of our most significant organizational
efforts of the past year, leading the integration of the U.S. packaged
gas business that we acquired from Linde, and implementing operational
efficiencies in our distribution business," said Airgas Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. "We are on schedule to
deliver the $10 million of run-rate savings that we committed to
shareholders in September 2007, and since that time, we have been
integrating the Linde business, generating synergies in excess of
expectations. Mike has been instrumental in both accomplishments."

"Under Mike's leadership, we have begun to enjoy real benefits
from initiatives associated with ultrasonic cylinder testing, fill
plant efficiency studies, and distribution logistics programs, and all
the while we have been integrating the largest acquisition in our
company's history," said Mike Molinini, executive vice president and
chief operating officer, in nominating Rohde. "Mike is broadly
recognized and respected in our industry. He is the kind of person who
faces challenges head on, and his professionalism, perseverance,
enthusiasm and energy make him the perfect choice to receive the 2008
Melman Award."

Added McCausland, "Because of his deep industry expertise and his
ability to execute well on large-scale projects, Mike is playing a key
role in our efforts to enhance customer service, and he will also
provide critical leadership for our upcoming SAP implementation."

Rohde first joined Airgas in 1999 as president of Airgas
Southwest, the regional company serving Texas and New Mexico. He then
became president of Airgas South, serving Florida, Georgia, and the
surrounding area, and was promoted to his current position in 2005.
Rohde has been in the packaged gas industry since 1977. Prior to
joining Airgas, he was senior vice president, packaged and specialty
gases at Tri-Gas and, before that, senior vice president, packaged
gases at MG Industries. Rohde received a bachelor's degree from the
University of Maryland and an MBA from the Citadel, and resides with
his family in Greenville, South Carolina.

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.

Airgas, Inc.
Media and Investor Contact:
Jay Worley (610) 902-6206
jay.worley@airgas.com

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