RADNOR, Pa.–Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG), today announced it has signed a supply agreement with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). CWRU, a private university located in Cleveland, Ohio, is continually ranked among the country’s top research universities. Airgas will provide specialty gases and equipment to more than 600 CWRU laboratories, as well as industrial gases to other areas within CWRU. The seven-year agreement, with estimated annual sales of $1 million, was facilitated by Airgas’ and CWRU’s affiliation with E&I Cooperative Purchasing. Airgas has a national competitively awarded supplier contract with E&I.

“With this agreement Airgas and Case Western Reserve are committed to working together to make our gas and equipment procurement process highly efficient and more cost effective”

“We are very happy with this supply agreement and the opportunity to help Case Western Reserve realize significant cost efficiencies through more effective supply chain management,” said Todd Morris, Airgas director for laboratory markets. “We have already transitioned more than 2,000 gas cylinders and realized a 20% inventory reduction from CWRU’s previous long-term supplier. We are putting our OUTLOOK® Managed Services and AIM™ (Airgas Inventory Management) programs in place, complete with an onsite Airgas account manager, so we can deliver the personalized attention CWRU deserves.”

“With this agreement Airgas and Case Western Reserve are committed to working together to make our gas and equipment procurement process highly efficient and more cost effective,” said Laura Artwell, Case Western Reserve University director of procurement and distribution services. “Keeping our laboratories and other university areas efficiently supplied with the right materials can be a challenge. With help from Airgas we’ll develop a customized e-Business solution using SmartCART, Case Western Reserve University’s newest procurement tool that will increase procurement efficiency for the end user. We’re confident Airgas will meet our unique needs.”

Airgas has developed a strategic organization focusing on specific market segments in order to fully understand customer challenges and provide custom-tailored solutions. Airgas market segment leaders work with account managers and teams within 12 Airgas regional organizations and more than 850 branch locations nationwide to provide the right solutions for a broad array of industries. The Airgas laboratories group, Airgas Great Lakes, and an onsite Airgas account manager work with Case Western Reserve University.

About Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is continually ranked among the country’s top research universities, but its success is not bound by the numbers. The university’s unique history supports an experience-based approach to education and inquiry that combines arts and humanities with science and technology. Under new leadership, the university is redefining its mission — and the role of a research university in the 21st century. Be it through a renewed commitment to diversity or its many stories of innovation, Case Western Reserve is all about improving and enriching the lives and imagining and influencing the future.

About E&I

Established in 1934 by members of The National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), Educational & Institutional Cooperative Purchasing (E&I) is a buying cooperative that serves colleges and universities. As the premier group purchasing organization for higher education, E&I uses the combined purchasing power of more than 1,700 member institutions to lower costs on a wide range of products and services. The organization provides members with access to a diverse portfolio of high quality national and regional contracts from best-in-class suppliers. E&I’s member-driven competitive solicitation process has been validated by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). For more information, please go to: www.eandi.org.

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.