<PAGE>
<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):
March 4, 1997
AIRGAS, INC.
______________________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-9344 56-0732648
_______________ _______________________ _____________
(State or other (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Identification
incorporation) No.)
259 Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
_______________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253
_______________
<PAGE> 2
Item 5. Other Events.
____________
On March 4, 1997, Airgas, Inc. announced certain organizational changes and
management appointments described in the press release attached as Exhibit 99
and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
__________________________________________________________________
(a) None
(b) None
(c) Exhibits.
99 Press Release dated March 4, 1997
<PAGE> 3
Signatures
__________
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AIRGAS, INC.
BY: /s/ Thomas C. Deas, Jr.
_______________________
Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
DATED: March 18, 1997
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 4
For More Information:
Jim Borum
(610) 687-5253
AIRGAS ANNOUNCES ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES, MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS
Radnor, PA, March 4, 1997 -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today
announced certain organizational changes and management appointments to
enable the company to enhance support for its operations and to maximize
opportunities arising from the company's growth from a $500 million business
in 1994 to a $1.3 billion business today.
The company said that it has formed a new Operating Committee that
will be responsible for developing and executing Airgas' operating strategies.
The committee will consist of three newly-designated Group Presidents, along
with the company's Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer,
Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President/Law and Acquisitions.
Airgas named the following Group Presidents:
-Hermann Knieling - President of the Manufacturing, Business
Engineering and International Group. Mr. Knieling, 59, will serve as
Chairman of the Operating Committee, and has also been named
Executive Vice President of Airgas, Inc.
-Pat Baker - President of the Distribution Group. Mr. Baker, 57,
formerly was Division President of Airgas' Eastern Division.
-Bill Rice - President of the Airgas Direct Industrial Group. Mr. Rice,
50, was formerly Division President - Industrial and Purchasing.
In addition, Airgas announced that Mr. Gordon Keen, 52, formerly Vice
President of Corporate Development, has been named Senior Vice
President/Law and Acquisitions. Mr. Andy Cichocki, 34, formerly Assistant Vice
President of Corporate Development, has been named Vice President of
Corporate Development of Airgas, Inc., and will be responsible for the
transactional aspects of all acquisitions, joint ventures and new business
projects.
Mr. John Musselman, 48, formerly a hub President of Northeast Airgas,
has been named Division President of the Eastern Division.
Peter McCausland, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Airgas,
said, "This new structure and these new appointments are designed to improve
our focus on operations, capitalize on our strengths and take advantage of our
recent growth. These steps will allow us to continue managing for growth in
an aggressive but disciplined fashion."
Airgas, Inc. is the largest distributor of industrial, medical and
specialty gases and related equipment in North America. Its distributor
network includes approximately 600 locations in 41 states, Mexico and Canada.
Airgas can be visited via the Internet at http://www.airgas.com.
<PAGE>
