Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), one of the nation’s leading suppliers of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related products, today announced that Thomas R. Stringer has been named President – Airgas Merchant Gases, effective immediately. Stringer will lead all aspects of Airgas Merchant Gases and will report to Thomas S. Thoman, Airgas’ Division President – Gases Production.

“Tom brings to Airgas a wealth of technical expertise and leadership experience in both the power generation and industrial gas industry,” said Thoman. “He will be a tremendous asset to our expanding merchant gases business and adds depth to our leadership team.”

Stringer joins Airgas from Alstom Power, a global leader in electrical power generation and transmission systems and innovative connective environmental solutions, where he spent the past six years in leadership roles. Prior to that, he spent a combined 22 years with The BOC Group and The Linde Group, where he held leadership roles in engineering, product development, and business development in both the U.S. and the U.K. His most recent roles included Vice President of Global Technical Solutions, leading a multi-national team charged with supporting the sale of gas applications in all market sectors, and Vice President of ASU Platforms, responsible for product development, proposal development, and project execution for all medium- and large-scale ASUs.

Stringer holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of New Jersey. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and is a past member of the Industrial Advisory Board for the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is one of the nation’s leading suppliers of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and related products. Airgas is a leading U.S. producer of atmospheric gases with 16 air separation plants, a leading producer of carbon dioxide, dry ice, and nitrous oxide, one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products, and a leading U.S. supplier of refrigerants, ammonia products, and process chemicals. More than 15,000 employees work in approximately 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also markets its products and services through e-Business, 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.