Airgas 10-Q 5 Nov 14 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

DEI_Document

DEI Document	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2015	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'ARG	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AIRGAS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000804212	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--03-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	74,702,022
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ear

Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Sales	$1,357,755	$1,281,970	$2,671,342	$2,561,861
Costs and Expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	600,534	563,012	1,183,940	1,138,555
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	500,375	474,455	995,088	947,930
Depreciation	73,160	68,487	145,795	135,517
Amortization	7,905	7,247	15,657	14,476
Total costs and expenses	1,181,974	1,113,201	2,340,480	2,236,478
Operating Income	175,781	168,769	330,862	325,383
Interest expense, net	-18,562	-20,665	-34,701	-41,459
Other income, net	81	1,474	1,950	1,587
Earnings before income taxes	157,300	149,578	298,111	285,511
Income taxes	-58,988	-54,596	-110,947	-105,843
Net Earnings	$98,312	$94,982	$187,164	$179,668
Net Earnings Per Common Share:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share	$1.32	$1.29	$2.52	$2.45
Diluted earnings per share	$1.30	$1.27	$2.48	$2.41
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	74,561	73,507	74,417	73,372
Diluted	75,754	74,815	75,616	74,676
Dividends Declared per Common Share	$0.55	$0.48	$1.10	$0.96

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net earnings	$98,312	$94,982	$187,164	$179,668
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-5,391	2,028	-2,816	-537
Reclassification of hedging loss included in net earnings	129	129	259	259
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	-5,262	2,157	-2,557	-278
Net tax expense of other comprehensive income items	-48	-48	-96	-96
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-5,310	2,109	-2,653	-374
Comprehensive income	$93,002	$97,091	$184,511	$179,294

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash	$65,712	$69,561
Trade receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts of $29,443 and $31,757 at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively	719,149	701,060
Inventories, net	487,778	478,149
Deferred income tax asset, net	57,347	57,961
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	98,040	92,356
Total current assets	1,428,026	1,399,087
Plant and equipment at cost	5,114,922	4,931,064
Less accumulated depreciation	-2,243,698	-2,128,649
Plant and equipment, net	2,871,224	2,802,415
Goodwill	1,309,247	1,289,896
Other intangible assets, net	253,027	258,836
Other non-current assets	43,250	43,080
Total assets	5,904,774	5,793,314
Current Liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable, trade	204,735	196,911
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	348,409	345,676
Short-term debt	433,174	387,866
Current portion of long-term debt	205	400,322
Total current liabilities	986,523	1,330,775
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	2,006,943	1,706,774
Deferred income tax liability, net	820,196	825,897
Other non-current liabilities	88,688	89,219
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Preferred stock, 20,030 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 200,000 shares authorized, 87,456 and 87,353 shares issued at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively	875	874
Capital in excess of par value	824,707	789,789
Retained earnings	2,145,629	2,047,843
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,124	529
Treasury stock, 12,842 and 13,264 shares at cost at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively	-966,663	-998,386
Total stockholders’ equity	2,002,424	1,840,649
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$5,904,774	$5,793,314

Balance_Sheet_Parenthetical

Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$29,443	$31,757
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,030	20,030
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares issued	87,456	87,353
Treasury stock, shares	12,842	13,264

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Net earnings	$187,164	$179,668
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	145,795	135,517
Amortization	15,657	14,476
Deferred income taxes	-6,702	3,183
Gain on sales of plant and equipment	-1,338	-828
Stock-based compensation expense	20,833	19,965
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of business acquisitions:	'	'
Trade receivables, net	-12,812	9,632
Inventories, net	-7,226	8,424
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-5,395	6,913
Accounts payable, trade	6,513	-13,948
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,514	18,766
Other, net	-3,085	-574
Net cash provided by operating activities	341,918	381,194
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Capital expenditures	-220,872	-168,483
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment	10,634	7,292
Business acquisitions and holdback settlements	-29,834	-15,745
Other, net	716	-1,869
Net cash used in investing activities	-239,356	-178,805
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Net increase in short-term debt	45,112	0
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	306,254	4,666
Repayment of long-term debt	-403,757	-119,863
Financing costs	-2,398	0
Purchase of treasury stock	0	-8,127
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	19,830	22,946
Stock issued for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	8,994	8,797
Excess tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options	5,091	6,568
Dividends paid to stockholders	-81,942	-70,505
Change in cash overdraft and other	-3,595	-21,992
Net cash used in financing activities	-106,411	-177,510
Change in cash	-3,849	24,879
Cash – Beginning of period	69,561	86,386
Cash – End of period	$65,712	$111,265

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Airgas, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Airgas” or the “Company”). Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required for annual financial statements. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the complete disclosures contained in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.
	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the use of estimates. The consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, reasonable estimates and all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. The interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

Accounting_and_Disclosure_Chan

Accounting and Disclosure Changes	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Accounting and Disclosure Changes [Text Block]	'
	ACCOUNTING AND DISCLOSURE CHANGES
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance clarifying the accounting for the release of cumulative translation adjustments (“CTA”) into net income upon the occurrence of certain sale or other derecognition transactions related to foreign entities. The new guidance describes the circumstances in which CTA should be released (either partially or fully) into net income based on the type of transaction related to a foreign entity. The Company adopted the new guidance effective April 1, 2014. The guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operation or liquidity upon adoption; rather, the Company will prospectively apply the provisions of the new guidance to applicable transactions related to its foreign entities.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance clarifying the financial statement presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The new guidance specifies that an unrecognized tax benefit (or a portion thereof) shall be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset depending on the availability of certain deferred tax assets to settle the additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position. If the deferred tax asset is not available or the entity does not plan to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose given the option, the unrecognized tax benefit shall be presented in the financial statements as a liability and shall not be combined with deferred tax assets. The Company adopted the new guidance effective April 1, 2014, with no material impact on the balance sheet presentation of its unrecognized tax benefits.
	Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
	In April 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the reporting of discontinued operations. The guidance amends existing standards by limiting the presentation of discontinued operations to disposals that represent a strategic shift with a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. In contrast, many disposals under current standards, which may be more routine in nature and not change an entity’s strategy, are reported in discontinued operations. The guidance also requires new disclosures around both disposals qualifying for discontinued operations as well as significant disposals that are not considered discontinued operations. The new guidance is effective for the Company on a prospective basis starting April 1, 2015, with early adoption permitted for disposals that have not been previously reported in the Company’s financial statements. The impact of the new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will depend on the occurrence of disposal transactions subject to the guidance, and will only be applicable to new disposals subsequent to adoption.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new guidance will replace most existing GAAP revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on April 1, 2017, and early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions [Text Block]	'
	ACQUISITIONS
	Acquisitions have been recorded using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, results of their operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the effective date of each respective acquisition.
	During the six months ended September 30, 2014, the Company acquired eight businesses with historical annual sales of approximately $36 million, all of which were in the Distribution business segment. Transaction and other integration costs incurred during the six months ended September 30, 2014 were $1 million and were included in selling, distribution and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of earnings. These acquisitions contributed approximately $10 million in net sales during the six months ended September 30, 2014.
	The Company negotiated the respective purchase prices of the businesses based on the expected cash flows to be derived from their operations after integration into the Company’s existing distribution, production and service networks. The acquisition purchase price for each business is allocated based on the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which are based on management estimates and third-party appraisals. Purchase price allocations for the businesses acquired during the six months ended September 30, 2014 are primarily based on provisional fair values and are subject to revision as the Company finalizes appraisals and other analyses. Final determination of the fair values may result in further adjustments to the values presented below. The following table summarizes the consideration paid and the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for fiscal 2015 acquisitions, as well as adjustments to finalize the valuations of certain prior year acquisitions. Valuation adjustments related to prior year acquisitions were not significant.
	(In thousands)
	Consideration
	Cash (a)	$	29,834
	Airgas, Inc. common stock (b)	4,458
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	34,292
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Current assets, net	$	7,751
	Plant and equipment	8,943
	Other intangible assets	9,411
	Current liabilities	(7,333		)
	Non-current liabilities	(4,423		)
	Total identifiable net assets	14,349
	Goodwill	19,943
		$	34,292
	____________________
	(a)	Includes cash paid, net of cash acquired, for current year acquisitions as well as payments for the settlement of holdback liabilities and contingent consideration arrangements associated with prior year acquisitions.
	(b)	Represents 41,060 shares of Airgas, Inc. common stock issued in connection with a single acquisition. The fair value of the shares issued as part of the consideration for the acquisition was determined based on the closing sales price of Airgas, Inc. common stock on the acquisition date.
	The fair value of trade receivables acquired with fiscal 2015 acquisitions was $5.2 million, with gross contractual amounts receivable of $5.7 million. Goodwill associated with fiscal 2015 acquisitions was $15.5 million, of which $11.1 million is deductible for income tax purposes. Goodwill largely consists of expected synergies resulting from the acquisitions, including increased distribution density and enhanced capabilities that will facilitate the sale of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and related supplies. Other intangible assets related to fiscal 2015 acquisitions represent customer relationships and non-competition agreements, and amounted to $6.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively. See Note 5 for further information on goodwill and other intangible assets.
	Pro forma results of operations have not been presented for these acquisitions since the impact is not material to the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings, either individually or in aggregate.

Inventories_Net

Inventories, Net	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Inventories, Net [Text Block]	'
	INVENTORIES, NET
	Inventories, net, consist of:
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014		March 31, 2014
	Hardgoods	$	321,179	$	313,127
	Gases	166,599		165,022
		$	487,778	$	478,149

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Text Block]	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill
	Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The valuations of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from certain recent acquisitions are based on preliminary estimates of fair value and are subject to revision as the Company finalizes appraisals and other analyses. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by business segment for the six months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	(In thousands)	Distribution Business Segment				All Other Operations Business Segment				Total
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,092,728			$	197,168			$	1,289,896
	Acquisitions (a)	19,943				—				19,943
	Other adjustments, including foreign currency translation	(576		)		(16		)		(592		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	1,112,095			$	197,152			$	1,309,247
	____________________
	(a)	Includes acquisitions completed during the current year and adjustments made to prior year acquisitions.
	Other Intangible Assets
	Other intangible assets by major class are as follows:
		September 30, 2014												March 31, 2014
	(In thousands)	Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)		Gross Carrying Amount				Accumulated Amortization				Net Carrying Amount		Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Customer relationships	17		$	351,908			$	(118,997	)		$	232,911	17	$	345,199	$	(107,577	)	$	237,622
	Non-competition agreements	6		42,380				(22,440		)		19,940		7	40,316		(19,287		)	21,029
	Other			200				(24		)		176			199		(14		)	185
				$	394,488			$	(141,461	)		$	253,027		$	385,714	$	(126,878	)	$	258,836
	Other intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships, which are amortized over the estimated benefit periods ranging from seven to 25 years, and non-competition agreements, which are amortized over the terms of the agreements. The determination of the estimated benefit periods associated with customer relationships is based on an analysis of historical customer sales attrition information and other customer-related factors at the date of acquisition. There are no expected residual values related to these intangible assets. The Company evaluates the estimated benefit periods and recoverability of its other intangible assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the lives may not be appropriate and/or the carrying values of the assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an other intangible asset or asset group is not recoverable, impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.
	As the Company’s other intangible assets amortize and reach the end of their respective amortization periods, the fully amortized balances are removed from the gross carrying and accumulated amortization amounts. Amortization expense related to the Company’s other intangible assets for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $15.0 million and $13.9 million, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense for the Company’s other intangible assets by fiscal year is as follows: remainder of fiscal 2015 - $14.8 million; 2016 - $28.4 million; 2017 - $26.5 million; 2018 - $24.8 million; 2019 - $22.8 million; and $135.7 million thereafter.

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Text Block]	'
	ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities include:
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014		March 31, 2014
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits	$	87,281	$	92,038
	Business insurance reserves (a)	50,480		49,372
	Income taxes	12,799		8,943
	Taxes other than income taxes	27,622		25,183
	Cash overdraft	64,650		68,245
	Deferred rental revenue	33,142		34,557
	Accrued interest	14,567		11,335
	Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	57,868		56,003
		$	348,409	$	345,676
	____________________
	(a)	With respect to the business insurance reserves above, the Company had corresponding insurance receivables of $11.6 million at September 30, 2014 and $11.8 million at March 31, 2014, which are included within the “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The insurance receivables represent the balance of probable claim losses in excess of the Company’s deductible for which the Company is fully insured.

Indebtedness

Indebtedness	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'
Indebtedness [Text Block]	'
	INDEBTEDNESS
	Total debt consists of:
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014			March 31, 2014
	Short-term
	Money market loans	$	—		$	—
	Commercial paper	433,174			387,866
	Short-term debt	$	433,174		$	387,866
	Long-term
	Trade receivables securitization	$	295,000		$	295,000
	Revolving credit borrowings - U.S.	—			—
	Revolving credit borrowings - Multi-currency	55,598			54,230
	Revolving credit borrowings - France	7,390			8,056
	Senior notes, net	1,648,417			1,748,774
	Other long-term debt	743			1,036
	Total long-term debt	2,007,148			2,107,096
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(205		)	(400,322		)
	Long-term debt, excluding current portion	$	2,006,943		$	1,706,774
	Total debt	$	2,440,322		$	2,494,962
	In July 2014, the Company extended an agreement with a financial institution that provides access to short-term advances not to exceed $35 million. The agreement now expires on July 31, 2015, and may be further extended subject to renewal provisions contained in the agreement. The advances are generally overnight or for up to seven days. The amount, term and interest rate of an advance are established through mutual agreement with the financial institution when the Company requests such an advance. At September 30, 2014, there were no advances outstanding under the agreement.
	The Company participates in a $750 million Amended and Restated Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”). As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $56 million of borrowings under the Credit Facility, all of which were under the multi-currency revolver. There were no borrowings under the U.S. dollar revolver at September 30, 2014. The Company also had outstanding U.S. letters of credit of $51 million issued under the Credit Facility. At September 30, 2014, the financial covenant of the Credit Facility did not restrict the Company’s ability to borrow on the unused portion of the Credit Facility, and the Company was in compliance with all covenants under all of its debt agreements. At September 30, 2014, $210 million remained available under the Company’s Credit Facility, after giving effect to the borrowings under the commercial paper program backstopped by the Credit Facility, the outstanding U.S. letters of credit and the borrowings under the multi-currency revolver.
	On June 17, 2014, the Company issued $300 million of 3.65% senior notes maturing on July 15, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The 2024 Notes were issued at a discount with a yield of 3.673%. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2024 Notes were used for general corporate purposes, including to fund acquisitions and repay indebtedness under the Company’s commercial paper program. Interest on the 2024 Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2015. The 2024 Notes contain covenants that restrict the incurrence of liens and limit sale and leaseback transactions. The Company has the option to redeem the 2024 Notes prior to their maturity, in whole or in part, at 100% of the principal plus any accrued but unpaid interest and applicable make-whole payments.
	In September 2014, the Company repaid $400 million of 4.50% senior notes that matured.
	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Debt Maturities  (a)
	Remainder of fiscal 2015	$	125
	March 31, 2016	250,302
	March 31, 2017	608,209
	March 31, 2018	325,095
	March 31, 2019	—
	Thereafter	825,000
		$	2,008,731
	____________________
	(a)	Outstanding borrowings under the Securitization Agreement at September 30, 2014 are reflected as maturing at the agreement’s expiration on December 5, 2016.
	The Company’s senior notes are reflected in the debt maturity schedule at their maturity values rather than their carrying values, which are net of aggregate discounts of $1.6 million at September 30, 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements [Text Block]	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are classified based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. The hierarchical levels related to the subjectivity of the valuation inputs are defined as follows:
	•	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
	•	Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are directly or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data at the measurement date.
	•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of the assumptions (including assumptions about risk) that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
	The carrying values of cash, trade receivables, other current receivables, trade payables and other current liabilities (e.g., deposit liabilities, cash overdrafts, etc.) approximate fair value.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014 are categorized in the tables below based on the lowest level of significant input to the valuation. During the periods presented, there were no transfers between fair value hierarchical levels.
		Balance at			Quoted prices in			Significant other		Significant
					active markets			observable inputs		unobservable inputs
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Deferred compensation plan assets	$	15,614		$	15,614		$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities	$	15,614		$	15,614		$	—	$	—
		Balance at			Quoted prices in			Significant other		Significant
					active markets			observable inputs		unobservable inputs
	(In thousands)	March 31, 2014			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Deferred compensation plan assets	$	16,387		$	16,387		$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities	$	16,387		$	16,387		$	—	$	—
	Contingent consideration liabilities	323			—			—		323
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	16,710		$	16,387		$	—	$	323
	The following is a general description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
	Deferred compensation plan assets and corresponding liabilities — The Company’s deferred compensation plan assets consist of open-ended mutual funds (Level 1) and are included within other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s deferred compensation plan liabilities are equal to the plan’s assets and are included within other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Gains or losses on the deferred compensation plan assets are recognized as other income, net, while gains or losses on the deferred compensation plan liabilities are recognized as compensation expense in the consolidated statements of earnings.
	Contingent consideration liabilities — As part of the consideration for certain acquisitions, the Company has utilized arrangements whereby future consideration in the form of cash may be transferred to the sellers contingent upon the achievement of certain earnings targets. The fair values of the contingent consideration arrangements were estimated using the income approach with inputs that are not observable in the market. Key assumptions for each arrangement, as applicable, include a discount rate commensurate with the level of risk of achievement, time horizon and other risk factors, and probability adjusted earnings growth, all of which the Company believes are appropriate and representative of market participant assumptions. The total liability for contingent consideration arrangements at September 30, 2014 and the impact on the Company’s earnings as a result of these arrangements for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were immaterial.
	Fair Value of Debt
	The carrying value of debt, which is reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, generally reflects the cash proceeds received upon its issuance, net of subsequent repayments. The fair values of the fixed rate notes disclosed in the following table were determined based on quoted prices from the broker/dealer market, observable market inputs for similarly termed treasury notes adjusted for the Company’s credit spread and inputs management believes a market participant would use in determining imputed interest for obligations without a stated interest rate (Level 2). The fair values of the revolving credit borrowings, securitized receivables and commercial paper approximate their carrying values (see Note 7).
		Carrying Value at		Fair Value at			Carrying Value at		Fair Value at
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014		September 30, 2014			March 31, 2014		March 31, 2014
	4.50% senior notes due 2014	—		—			399,952		407,092
	3.25% senior notes due 2015	249,925		255,218			249,887		258,630
	2.95% senior notes due 2016	249,883		257,440			249,848		259,257
	1.65% senior notes due 2018	324,634		320,603			324,579		319,098
	2.375% senior notes due 2020	274,770		270,421			274,748		265,600
	2.90% senior notes due 2022	249,773		240,295			249,760		233,230
	3.65% senior notes due 2024	299,432		300,459			—		—

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity [Text Block]	'
	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Changes in stockholders’ equity were as follows:
	(In thousands of shares)	Shares of			Shares of
		Common			Treasury
		Stock $0.01			Stock
		Par Value
	Balance at March 31, 2014	87,353			(13,264	)
	Common stock issuance (a)	103
	Reissuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises				381
	Reissuance of treasury stock for acquisition				41
	Balance at September 30, 2014	87,456			(12,842	)
	(In thousands)	Common				Capital in			Retained			Accumulated			Treasury			Total
		Stock				Excess of			Earnings			Other			Stock			Stockholders’
						Par Value						Comprehensive						Equity
												Income (Loss)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	874			$	789,789		$	2,047,843		$	529		$	(998,386	)	$	1,840,649
	Net earnings								187,164									187,164
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax											(2,653		)				(2,653		)
	Common stock issuances and reissuances of treasury stock - employee benefit plans (b)	1				7,626			(7,436		)				28,633			28,824
	Reissuance of treasury stock for acquisition (Note 3)					1,368									3,090			4,458
	Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises					5,091												5,091
	Dividends paid on common stock ($1.10 per share)								(81,942		)							(81,942		)
	Stock-based compensation (c)					20,833												20,833
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	875			$	824,707		$	2,145,629		$	(2,124	)	$	(966,663	)	$	2,002,424
	___________________
	(a)	Issuance of common stock for purchases through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
	(b)	Issuance of common stock for purchases through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and reissuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises.
	(c)	The Company recognized compensation expense with a corresponding amount recorded to capital in excess of par value.
	The following table presents the gross and net changes in the balances within each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) for the six months ended September 30, 2014.
	(In thousands)	Foreign Currency				Treasury Rate			Total Accumulated
		Translation				Lock Agreement			Other Comprehensive
		Adjustments							Income (Loss)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,018			$	(489	)	$	529
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(2,816		)		—			(2,816		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (d)	—				259			259
	Tax effect of other comprehensive income items	—				(96		)	(96		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,816		)		163			(2,653		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(1,798	)		$	(326	)	$	(2,124	)
	___________________
	(d)	The reclassifications out of AOCI were associated with a loss on a treasury rate lock agreement from July 2010 related to the issuance of the Company’s $250 million of 3.25% senior notes maturing on October 1, 2015 (the “2015 Notes”), which is being reclassified into earnings (interest expense) over the term of the 2015 Notes. The effects on the respective line items of the consolidated statements of earnings impacted by the reclassifications were not material for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation [Text Block]	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for its Equity Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized by the Company for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
	(In thousands)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Stock-based compensation expense related to:
	Equity Incentive Plan (a)	$	4,962			$	5,179		$	18,734		$	17,860
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan - options to purchase stock	1,041				1,058			2,099			2,105
		6,003				6,237			20,833			19,965
	Tax benefit	(2,041		)		(2,134		)	(7,550		)	(7,428		)
	Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	3,962			$	4,103		$	13,283		$	12,537
	___________________
	(a)	Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options granted under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan is highest during the Company’s fiscal first quarter ended June 30th relative to other quarters during the year. This is primarily due to a retirement-eligible vesting provision under the plan and the timing of the majority of the Company’s stock option awards each year during its fiscal first quarter.
	Fair Value
	The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $28.74 and $32.40, respectively.
	Summary of Stock Option Activity
	The following table summarizes the stock option activity during the six months ended September 30, 2014:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Number of Stock Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	5,104			$	69.91
	Granted	973			$	104.79
	Exercised	(381	)		$	52.1
	Forfeited	(37	)		$	95.87
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,659			$	76.93
	Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2014	5,634			$	76.82
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014	3,453			$	63.51
	A total of 3.2 million shares of common stock were available for grant under the Second Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan as of September 30, 2014.
	As of September 30, 2014, $54.9 million of unrecognized non-cash compensation expense related to non-vested stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.8 years.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) encourages and assists employees in acquiring an equity interest in the Company. As of September 30, 2014, the ESPP had 1.2 million shares of Company common stock available for issuance.
	Compensation expense is measured based on the fair value of the employees’ option to purchase shares of common stock at the grant date and is recognized over the future periods in which the related employee service is rendered. The fair value per share of employee options to purchase shares under the ESPP was $21.43 and $19.27 for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fair value of the employees’ option to purchase shares of common stock was estimated using the Black-Scholes model.
	ESPP - Purchase Option Activity
	The following table summarizes the activity of the ESPP during the six months ended September 30, 2014:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Number of Purchase Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	55			$	80.77
	Granted	195			$	91.38
	Exercised	(103	)		$	87.17
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	147			$	90.35

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the period. Outstanding shares consist of issued shares less treasury stock. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average common shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents related to stock options and the Company’s ESPP.
	Outstanding stock options that are anti-dilutive are excluded from the Company’s diluted earnings per share computation. There were approximately 2.0 million and 1.6 million shares covered by outstanding stock options that were not dilutive for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There were approximately 1.8 million and 1.3 million shares covered by outstanding stock options that were not dilutive for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended		Six Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
	(In thousands)	2014	2013	2014	2013
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic shares outstanding	74,561	73,507	74,417	73,372
	Incremental shares from assumed exercises of stock options and options under the ESPP	1,193	1,308	1,199	1,304
	Diluted shares outstanding	75,754	74,815	75,616	74,676

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Litigation
	The Company is involved in various legal and regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and have not been fully adjudicated. These actions, when ultimately concluded and determined, will not, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Summary_by_Business_Segment

Summary by Business Segment	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Summary by Business Segment [Text Block]	'
	SUMMARY BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
	Business segment information for the Company’s Distribution and All Other Operations business segments is presented in the following table for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Although corporate operating expenses are generally allocated to each business segment based on sales dollars, the Company reported expenses (excluding depreciation) related to the implementation of its SAP system under selling, distribution and administrative expenses in the “Eliminations and Other” column. Intercompany sales are recorded on the same basis as sales to third parties and intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Management utilizes more than one measurement and multiple views of data to measure segment performance and to allocate resources to the segments. However, the predominant measurements are consistent with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accordingly, are reported on the same basis in the following table.
		Three Months Ended									Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2014									September 30, 2013
	(In thousands)	Distribution		All Other		Eliminations			Total		Distribution		All Other		Eliminations			Total
				Ops.		and Other							Ops.		and Other
	Gas and rent	$	718,743	$	147,821	$	(8,049	)	$	858,515	$	681,389	$	149,313	$	(7,916	)	$	822,786
	Hardgoods	498,267		974		(1		)	499,240		458,187		997		—			459,184
	Net sales (a)	1,217,010		148,795		(8,050		)	1,357,755		1,139,576		150,310		(7,916		)	1,281,970
	Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation) (a)	531,867		76,717		(8,050		)	600,534		491,660		79,268		(7,916		)	563,012
	Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	452,467		47,908		—			500,375		427,351		45,412		1,692			474,455
	Depreciation	66,949		6,211		—			73,160		62,865		5,622		—			68,487
	Amortization	6,881		1,024		—			7,905		6,193		1,054		—			7,247
	Total costs and expenses	1,058,164		131,860		(8,050		)	1,181,974		988,069		131,356		(6,224		)	1,113,201
	Operating income	$	158,846	$	16,935	$	—		$	175,781	$	151,507	$	18,954	$	(1,692	)	$	168,769
		Six Months Ended									Six Months Ended
		September 30, 2014									September 30, 2013
	(In thousands)	Distribution		All Other		Eliminations			Total		Distribution		All Other		Eliminations			Total
				Ops.		and Other							Ops.		and Other
	Gas and rent	$	1,415,308	$	283,913	$	(15,115	)	$	1,684,106	$	1,353,875	$	295,180	$	(16,377	)	$	1,632,678
	Hardgoods	985,314		1,925		(3		)	987,236		926,785		2,400		(2		)	929,183
	Net sales (a)	2,400,622		285,838		(15,118		)	2,671,342		2,280,660		297,580		(16,379		)	2,561,861
	Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation) (a)	1,052,800		146,258		(15,118		)	1,183,940		996,787		158,147		(16,379		)	1,138,555
	Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	902,106		92,982		—			995,088		854,582		88,952		4,396			947,930
	Depreciation	133,411		12,384		—			145,795		124,529		10,988		—			135,517
	Amortization	13,605		2,052		—			15,657		12,255		2,221		—			14,476
	Total costs and expenses	2,101,922		253,676		(15,118		)	2,340,480		1,988,153		260,308		(11,983		)	2,236,478
	Operating income	$	298,700	$	32,162	$	—		$	330,862	$	292,507	$	37,272	$	(4,396	)	$	325,383
	____________________
	(a)	Amounts in the “Eliminations and Other” column represent the elimination of intercompany sales and associated gross profit on sales from the Company’s All Other Operations business segment to its Distribution business segment.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Text Block]	'
	SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	Cash Paid for Interest and Income Taxes
	Cash paid for interest and income taxes was as follows:
		Six Months Ended
		September 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Interest	$	32,667		$	42,107
	Income taxes, net of refunds	108,847			74,910
	Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
	Liabilities assumed and stock issued as a result of acquisitions were as follows:
		Six Months Ended
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014
	Fair value of assets acquired	$	46,048
	Net cash paid for acquisitions (a)	(29,834		)
	Stock issued for acquisition (b)	(4,458		)
	Liabilities assumed	$	11,756
	____________________
	(a)	Includes cash paid, net of cash acquired, for current year acquisitions as well as payments for the settlement of holdback liabilities and contingent consideration arrangements associated with prior year acquisitions.
	(b)	Represents shares of Airgas, Inc. common stock issued in connection with a single acquisition – see Note 3 for further information.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Summary of the Consideration Transferred and the Fair Values of the Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the consideration paid and the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for fiscal 2015 acquisitions, as well as adjustments to finalize the valuations of certain prior year acquisitions. Valuation adjustments related to prior year acquisitions were not significant.
	(In thousands)
	Consideration
	Cash (a)	$	29,834
	Airgas, Inc. common stock (b)	4,458
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	34,292
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Current assets, net	$	7,751
	Plant and equipment	8,943
	Other intangible assets	9,411
	Current liabilities	(7,333		)
	Non-current liabilities	(4,423		)
	Total identifiable net assets	14,349
	Goodwill	19,943
		$	34,292
	____________________
	(a)	Includes cash paid, net of cash acquired, for current year acquisitions as well as payments for the settlement of holdback liabilities and contingent consideration arrangements associated with prior year acquisitions.
	(b)	Represents 41,060 shares of Airgas, Inc. common stock issued in connection with a single acquisition. The fair value of the shares issued as part of the consideration for the acquisition was determined based on the closing sales price of Airgas, Inc. common stock on the acquisition date.

Inventories_Net_Tables

Inventories, Net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Inventories, Net [Table Text Block]	'
	Inventories, net, consist of:
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014		March 31, 2014
	Hardgoods	$	321,179	$	313,127
	Gases	166,599		165,022
		$	487,778	$	478,149

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes In Goodwill by Business Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by business segment for the six months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	(In thousands)	Distribution Business Segment				All Other Operations Business Segment				Total
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,092,728			$	197,168			$	1,289,896
	Acquisitions (a)	19,943				—				19,943
	Other adjustments, including foreign currency translation	(576		)		(16		)		(592		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	1,112,095			$	197,152			$	1,309,247
	____________________
	(a)	Includes acquisitions completed during the current year and adjustments made to prior year acquisitions.
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired by Major Asset Class [Table Text Block]	'
	Other intangible assets by major class are as follows:
		September 30, 2014												March 31, 2014
	(In thousands)	Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)		Gross Carrying Amount				Accumulated Amortization				Net Carrying Amount		Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Customer relationships	17		$	351,908			$	(118,997	)		$	232,911	17	$	345,199	$	(107,577	)	$	237,622
	Non-competition agreements	6		42,380				(22,440		)		19,940		7	40,316		(19,287		)	21,029
	Other			200				(24		)		176			199		(14		)	185
				$	394,488			$	(141,461	)		$	253,027		$	385,714	$	(126,878	)	$	258,836

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities include:
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014		March 31, 2014
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits	$	87,281	$	92,038
	Business insurance reserves (a)	50,480		49,372
	Income taxes	12,799		8,943
	Taxes other than income taxes	27,622		25,183
	Cash overdraft	64,650		68,245
	Deferred rental revenue	33,142		34,557
	Accrued interest	14,567		11,335
	Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	57,868		56,003
		$	348,409	$	345,676
	____________________
	(a)	With respect to the business insurance reserves above, the Company had corresponding insurance receivables of $11.6 million at September 30, 2014 and $11.8 million at March 31, 2014, which are included within the “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The insurance receivables represent the balance of probable claim losses in excess of the Company’s deductible for which the Company is fully insured.

Indebtedness_Tables

Indebtedness (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Total debt consists of:
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014			March 31, 2014
	Short-term
	Money market loans	$	—		$	—
	Commercial paper	433,174			387,866
	Short-term debt	$	433,174		$	387,866
	Long-term
	Trade receivables securitization	$	295,000		$	295,000
	Revolving credit borrowings - U.S.	—			—
	Revolving credit borrowings - Multi-currency	55,598			54,230
	Revolving credit borrowings - France	7,390			8,056
	Senior notes, net	1,648,417			1,748,774
	Other long-term debt	743			1,036
	Total long-term debt	2,007,148			2,107,096
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(205		)	(400,322		)
	Long-term debt, excluding current portion	$	2,006,943		$	1,706,774
	Total debt	$	2,440,322		$	2,494,962
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Debt Maturities  (a)
	Remainder of fiscal 2015	$	125
	March 31, 2016	250,302
	March 31, 2017	608,209
	March 31, 2018	325,095
	March 31, 2019	—
	Thereafter	825,000
		$	2,008,731
	____________________
	(a)	Outstanding borrowings under the Securitization Agreement at September 30, 2014 are reflected as maturing at the agreement’s expiration on December 5, 2016.
	The Company’s senior notes are reflected in the debt maturity schedule at their maturity values rather than their carrying values, which are net of aggregate discounts of $1.6 million at September 30, 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014 are categorized in the tables below based on the lowest level of significant input to the valuation. During the periods presented, there were no transfers between fair value hierarchical levels.
		Balance at			Quoted prices in			Significant other		Significant
					active markets			observable inputs		unobservable inputs
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Deferred compensation plan assets	$	15,614		$	15,614		$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities	$	15,614		$	15,614		$	—	$	—
		Balance at			Quoted prices in			Significant other		Significant
					active markets			observable inputs		unobservable inputs
	(In thousands)	March 31, 2014			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Deferred compensation plan assets	$	16,387		$	16,387		$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities	$	16,387		$	16,387		$	—	$	—
	Contingent consideration liabilities	323			—			—		323
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	16,710		$	16,387		$	—	$	323
Fair Value Of Debt [Table Text Block]	'
		Carrying Value at		Fair Value at			Carrying Value at		Fair Value at
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014		September 30, 2014			March 31, 2014		March 31, 2014
	4.50% senior notes due 2014	—		—			399,952		407,092
	3.25% senior notes due 2015	249,925		255,218			249,887		258,630
	2.95% senior notes due 2016	249,883		257,440			249,848		259,257
	1.65% senior notes due 2018	324,634		320,603			324,579		319,098
	2.375% senior notes due 2020	274,770		270,421			274,748		265,600
	2.90% senior notes due 2022	249,773		240,295			249,760		233,230
	3.65% senior notes due 2024	299,432		300,459			—		—

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stockholders' Equity [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in stockholders’ equity were as follows:
	(In thousands of shares)	Shares of			Shares of
		Common			Treasury
		Stock $0.01			Stock
		Par Value
	Balance at March 31, 2014	87,353			(13,264	)
	Common stock issuance (a)	103
	Reissuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises				381
	Reissuance of treasury stock for acquisition				41
	Balance at September 30, 2014	87,456			(12,842	)
	(In thousands)	Common				Capital in			Retained			Accumulated			Treasury			Total
		Stock				Excess of			Earnings			Other			Stock			Stockholders’
						Par Value						Comprehensive						Equity
												Income (Loss)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	874			$	789,789		$	2,047,843		$	529		$	(998,386	)	$	1,840,649
	Net earnings								187,164									187,164
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax											(2,653		)				(2,653		)
	Common stock issuances and reissuances of treasury stock - employee benefit plans (b)	1				7,626			(7,436		)				28,633			28,824
	Reissuance of treasury stock for acquisition (Note 3)					1,368									3,090			4,458
	Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises					5,091												5,091
	Dividends paid on common stock ($1.10 per share)								(81,942		)							(81,942		)
	Stock-based compensation (c)					20,833												20,833
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	875			$	824,707		$	2,145,629		$	(2,124	)	$	(966,663	)	$	2,002,424
	___________________
	(a)	Issuance of common stock for purchases through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
	(b)	Issuance of common stock for purchases through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and reissuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises.
	(c)	The Company recognized compensation expense with a corresponding amount recorded to capital in excess of par value.
Gross and Net Changes in the Balances within Each Component of AOCI [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the gross and net changes in the balances within each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) for the six months ended September 30, 2014.
	(In thousands)	Foreign Currency				Treasury Rate			Total Accumulated
		Translation				Lock Agreement			Other Comprehensive
		Adjustments							Income (Loss)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,018			$	(489	)	$	529
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(2,816		)		—			(2,816		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (d)	—				259			259
	Tax effect of other comprehensive income items	—				(96		)	(96		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,816		)		163			(2,653		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(1,798	)		$	(326	)	$	(2,124	)
	___________________
	(d)	The reclassifications out of AOCI were associated with a loss on a treasury rate lock agreement from July 2010 related to the issuance of the Company’s $250 million of 3.25% senior notes maturing on October 1, 2015 (the “2015 Notes”), which is being reclassified into earnings (interest expense) over the term of the 2015 Notes. The effects on the respective line items of the consolidated statements of earnings impacted by the reclassifications were not material for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized by the Company for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
	(In thousands)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Stock-based compensation expense related to:
	Equity Incentive Plan (a)	$	4,962			$	5,179		$	18,734		$	17,860
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan - options to purchase stock	1,041				1,058			2,099			2,105
		6,003				6,237			20,833			19,965
	Tax benefit	(2,041		)		(2,134		)	(7,550		)	(7,428		)
	Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	3,962			$	4,103		$	13,283		$	12,537
Summary of Stock Option Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the stock option activity during the six months ended September 30, 2014:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Number of Stock Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	5,104			$	69.91
	Granted	973			$	104.79
	Exercised	(381	)		$	52.1
	Forfeited	(37	)		$	95.87
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,659			$	76.93
	Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2014	5,634			$	76.82
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014	3,453			$	63.51
ESPP - Purchase Option Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the activity of the ESPP during the six months ended September 30, 2014:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Number of Purchase Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	55			$	80.77
	Granted	195			$	91.38
	Exercised	(103	)		$	87.17
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	147			$	90.35

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended		Six Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
	(In thousands)	2014	2013	2014	2013
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic shares outstanding	74,561	73,507	74,417	73,372
	Incremental shares from assumed exercises of stock options and options under the ESPP	1,193	1,308	1,199	1,304
	Diluted shares outstanding	75,754	74,815	75,616	74,676

Summary_by_Business_Segment_Ta

Summary by Business Segment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial Information by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended									Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2014									September 30, 2013
	(In thousands)	Distribution		All Other		Eliminations			Total		Distribution		All Other		Eliminations			Total
				Ops.		and Other							Ops.		and Other
	Gas and rent	$	718,743	$	147,821	$	(8,049	)	$	858,515	$	681,389	$	149,313	$	(7,916	)	$	822,786
	Hardgoods	498,267		974		(1		)	499,240		458,187		997		—			459,184
	Net sales (a)	1,217,010		148,795		(8,050		)	1,357,755		1,139,576		150,310		(7,916		)	1,281,970
	Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation) (a)	531,867		76,717		(8,050		)	600,534		491,660		79,268		(7,916		)	563,012
	Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	452,467		47,908		—			500,375		427,351		45,412		1,692			474,455
	Depreciation	66,949		6,211		—			73,160		62,865		5,622		—			68,487
	Amortization	6,881		1,024		—			7,905		6,193		1,054		—			7,247
	Total costs and expenses	1,058,164		131,860		(8,050		)	1,181,974		988,069		131,356		(6,224		)	1,113,201
	Operating income	$	158,846	$	16,935	$	—		$	175,781	$	151,507	$	18,954	$	(1,692	)	$	168,769
		Six Months Ended									Six Months Ended
		September 30, 2014									September 30, 2013
	(In thousands)	Distribution		All Other		Eliminations			Total		Distribution		All Other		Eliminations			Total
				Ops.		and Other							Ops.		and Other
	Gas and rent	$	1,415,308	$	283,913	$	(15,115	)	$	1,684,106	$	1,353,875	$	295,180	$	(16,377	)	$	1,632,678
	Hardgoods	985,314		1,925		(3		)	987,236		926,785		2,400		(2		)	929,183
	Net sales (a)	2,400,622		285,838		(15,118		)	2,671,342		2,280,660		297,580		(16,379		)	2,561,861
	Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation) (a)	1,052,800		146,258		(15,118		)	1,183,940		996,787		158,147		(16,379		)	1,138,555
	Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	902,106		92,982		—			995,088		854,582		88,952		4,396			947,930
	Depreciation	133,411		12,384		—			145,795		124,529		10,988		—			135,517
	Amortization	13,605		2,052		—			15,657		12,255		2,221		—			14,476
	Total costs and expenses	2,101,922		253,676		(15,118		)	2,340,480		1,988,153		260,308		(11,983		)	2,236,478
	Operating income	$	298,700	$	32,162	$	—		$	330,862	$	292,507	$	37,272	$	(4,396	)	$	325,383
	____________________
	(a)	Amounts in the “Eliminations and Other” column represent the elimination of intercompany sales and associated gross profit on sales from the Company’s All Other Operations business segment to its Distribution business segment.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Cash Paid For Interest And Income Taxes [Table Text Block]	'
	Cash paid for interest and income taxes was as follows:
		Six Months Ended
		September 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Interest	$	32,667		$	42,107
	Income taxes, net of refunds	108,847			74,910
Schedule of Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions [Table Text Block]	'
	Liabilities assumed and stock issued as a result of acquisitions were as follows:
		Six Months Ended
	(In thousands)	September 30, 2014
	Fair value of assets acquired	$	46,048
	Net cash paid for acquisitions (a)	(29,834		)
	Stock issued for acquisition (b)	(4,458		)
	Liabilities assumed	$	11,756
	____________________
	(a)	Includes cash paid, net of cash acquired, for current year acquisitions as well as payments for the settlement of holdback liabilities and contingent consideration arrangements associated with prior year acquisitions.
	(b)	Represents shares of Airgas, Inc. common stock issued in connection with a single acquisition – see Note 3 for further information.

Acquisitions_Acquisitions_Narr

Acquisitions (Acquisitions Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Goodwill acquired during period	$19,943,000	[1]
FY15 Acquisitions [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Number of businesses acquired	8
Historical annual sales of acquired businesses	36,000,000
Business acquisition, transaction costs	1,000,000
Business combination, pro forma information, revenue of acquiree since acquisition date, actual	10,000,000
Fair value of trade receivables acquired	5,200,000
Gross contractual amounts of acquired receivables	5,700,000
Goodwill acquired during period	15,500,000
Goodwill deductible for income tax purposes	11,100,000
Business acquisition, pro forma information, description	'Pro forma results of operations have not been presented for these acquisitions since the impact is not material to the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings, either individually or in aggregate
FY15 Acquisitions [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Other intangible assets acquired	6,700,000
FY15 Acquisitions [Member] | Non-competition agreements [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Other intangible assets acquired	$2,600,000
[1]	Includes acquisitions completed during the current year and adjustments made to prior year acquisitions.

Acquisitions_Summary_of_the_Co

Acquisitions (Summary of the Consideration Transferred and the Fair Values of the Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Consideration	'		'	'
Cash	$29,834		$15,745	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'		'	'
Goodwill	1,309,247		'	1,289,896
FY15 Acquisitions [Member]	'		'	'
Consideration	'		'	'
Cash	29,834	[1]	'	'
Airgas, Inc. common stock	4,458	[2]	'	'
Fair value of total consideration transferred	34,292		'	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'		'	'
Current assets, net	7,751		'	'
Plant and equipment	8,943		'	'
Other intangible assets	9,411		'	'
Current liabilities	-7,333		'	'
Non-current liabilities	-4,423		'	'
Total identifiable net assets	14,349		'	'
Goodwill	19,943		'	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired, goodwill, and liabilities assumed, net	$34,292		'	'
Number of shares of Airgas, Inc. common stock issued in connection with an acquisition	41,060		'	'
[1]	Includes cash paid, net of cash acquired, for current year acquisitions as well as payments for the settlement of holdback liabilities and contingent consideration arrangements associated with prior year acquisitions.
[2]	Represents 41,060 shares of Airgas, Inc. common stock issued in connection with a single acquisition. The fair value of the shares issued as part of the consideration for the acquisition was determined based on the closing sales price of Airgas, Inc. common stock on the acquisition date.

Inventories_Net_Details

Inventories, Net (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventories, net	$487,778	$478,149
Hardgoods [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventories, net	321,179	313,127
Gases [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventories, net	$166,599	$165,022

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Changes In Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	$1,289,896
Acquisitions	19,943	[1]
Other adjustments, including foreign currency translation	-592
Balance at September 30, 2014	1,309,247
Distribution Business Segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	1,092,728
Acquisitions	19,943	[1]
Other adjustments, including foreign currency translation	-576
Balance at September 30, 2014	1,112,095
All Other Operations Business Segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	197,168
Acquisitions	0	[1]
Other adjustments, including foreign currency translation	-16
Balance at September 30, 2014	$197,152
[1]	Includes acquisitions completed during the current year and adjustments made to prior year acquisitions.

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangibles) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Customer relationships [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Non-competition agreements [Member]

Non-competition agreements [Member]

Other intangible assets [Member]

Other intangible assets [Member]

Customer relationships, non-competition agreements and other [Member]

Customer relationships, non-competition agreements and other [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Non-competition agreements [Member]

Non-competition agreements [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Other intangible assets by major class

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross carrying amount

$394,488,000

'

$394,488,000

'

$385,714,000

$351,908,000

$345,199,000

$42,380,000

$40,316,000

$200,000

$199,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated amortization

-141,461,000

'

-141,461,000

'

-126,878,000

-118,997,000

-107,577,000

-22,440,000

-19,287,000

-24,000

-14,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net carrying amount

253,027,000

'

253,027,000

'

258,836,000

232,911,000

237,622,000

19,940,000

21,029,000

176,000

185,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other intangible assets, useful life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'17 years

'17 years

'6 years

'7 years

'7 years

'25 years

Intangible asset residual value

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization

7,905,000

7,247,000

15,657,000

14,476,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

13,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated future amortization expense in remainder of 2015

14,800,000

'

14,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated future amortization expense in 2016

28,400,000

'

28,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated future amortization expense in 2017

26,500,000

'

26,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated future amortization expense in 2018

24,800,000

'

24,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated future amortization expense in 2019

22,800,000

'

22,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated future amortization expense thereafter

$135,700,000

'

$135,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Cur2

Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	$87,281,000		$92,038,000
Business insurance reserves	50,480,000	[1]	49,372,000	[1]
Income taxes	12,799,000		8,943,000
Taxes other than income taxes	27,622,000		25,183,000
Cash overdraft	64,650,000		68,245,000
Deferred rental revenue	33,142,000		34,557,000
Accrued interest	14,567,000		11,335,000
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	57,868,000		56,003,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	348,409,000		345,676,000
Insurance receivables	$11,600,000		$11,800,000
[1]	With respect to the business insurance reserves above, the Company had corresponding insurance receivables of $11.6 million at September 30, 2014 and $11.8 million at March 31, 2014, which are included within the “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The insurance receivables represent the balance of probable claim losses in excess of the Company’s deductible for which the Company is fully insured.

Indebtedness_Schedule_Of_Debt_

Indebtedness (Schedule Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term debt	$433,174	$387,866
Total long-term debt	2,007,148	2,107,096
Less current portion of long-term debt	-205	-400,322
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	2,006,943	1,706,774
Total debt	2,440,322	2,494,962
Trade receivables securitization [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt	295,000	295,000
Revolving credit borrowings - US [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt	0	0
Revolving credit borrowings - multi-currency [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt	55,598	54,230
Revolving credit borrowings - France [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt	7,390	8,056
Senior notes, net [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt	1,648,417	1,748,774
Other long-term debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt	743	1,036
Money market loans [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term debt	0	0
Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term debt	$433,174	$387,866

Indebtedness_Money_Market_Loan

Indebtedness (Money Market Loans Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
			Money market loans [Member]	Money market loans [Member]	Money market loans [Member]	Money market loans [Member]	Maximum [Member]
					Agreement expiring in July 2015 [Member]	Agreement expiring in July 2015 [Member]	Money market loans [Member]
							Agreement expiring in July 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Money market loans maximum amount allowed	'	'	'	'	$35,000,000	'	'
Short-term debt, terms	'	'	'	'	'	'advances are generally overnight or for up to seven days. The amount, term and interest rate of an advance are established through mutual agreement with the financial institution when the Company requests such an advance	'
Short term debt maturity period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'7 days
Short-term debt	$433,174,000	$387,866,000	$0	$0	'	$0	'

Indebtedness_Senior_Credit_Fac

Indebtedness (Senior Credit Facility Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Revolving credit facility [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Revolving line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$750
Revolver, outstanding borrowings	56
Remaining availability under revolving credit facility	210
Revolving credit borrowings - US [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Revolver, outstanding borrowings	0
Letters of credit outstanding	51
Revolving credit borrowings - multi-currency [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Revolver, outstanding borrowings	$56

Indebtedness_Senior_Notes_Narr

Indebtedness (Senior Notes Narrative) (Details) (Senior notes, net [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 17, 2014	Jun. 17, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
		3.65% senior notes due July 2024 [Member]	4.50% senior notes due September 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument, face amount	'	$300	$400
Debt instrument, interest rate	'	3.65%	4.50%
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	'	3.67%	'
Percentage of principal that must be repaid in addition to accrued interest and applicable make-whole payments under call feature of notes	100.00%	'	'

Indebtedness_Schedule_Of_LongT

Indebtedness (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]	'
Remainder of fiscal 2015	$125,000	[1]
31-Mar-16	250,302,000	[1]
31-Mar-17	608,209,000	[1]
31-Mar-18	325,095,000	[1]
31-Mar-19	0	[1]
Thereafter	825,000,000	[1]
Total maturities of long-term debt	2,008,731,000	[1]
Senior notes, net [Member]	'
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]	'
Unamortized discounts	$1,600,000
[1]	Outstanding borrowings under the Securitization Agreement at September 30, 2014 are reflected as maturing at the agreement’s expiration on December 5, 2016.The Company’s senior notes are reflected in the debt maturity schedule at their maturity values rather than their carrying values, which are net of aggregate discounts of $1.6 million at September 30, 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan assets	$15,614	$16,387
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	15,614	16,387
Contingent consideration liabilities	'	323
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	16,710
Quoted Prices In Active Markets Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan assets	15,614	16,387
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	15,614	16,387
Contingent consideration liabilities	'	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	16,387
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	0	0
Contingent consideration liabilities	'	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	0	0
Contingent consideration liabilities	'	323
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	$323

Fair_Value_Measurements_Carryi

Fair Value Measurements (Carrying Value And Fair Value Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, carrying value	$2,007,148	$2,107,096
4.50% senior notes due September 2014 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, carrying value	0	399,952
Long-term debt, fair value	0	407,092
3.25% senior notes due October 2015 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, carrying value	249,925	249,887
Long-term debt, fair value	255,218	258,630
2.95% senior notes due June 2016 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, carrying value	249,883	249,848
Long-term debt, fair value	257,440	259,257
1.65% senior notes due February 2018 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, carrying value	324,634	324,579
Long-term debt, fair value	320,603	319,098
2.375% senior notes due February 2020 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, carrying value	274,770	274,748
Long-term debt, fair value	270,421	265,600
2.90% senior notes due November 2022 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, carrying value	249,773	249,760
Long-term debt, fair value	240,295	233,230
3.65% senior notes due July 2024 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, carrying value	299,432	0
Long-term debt, fair value	$300,459	$0

Stockholders_Equity_Schedule_o

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Stockholders' Equity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'		'	'
Common stock, shares issued	87,456	'	87,456		'	87,353
Common stock issuance during period, shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	'	103	[1]	'	'
Treasury stock, shares	-12,842	'	-12,842		'	-13,264
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises	'	'	381		'	'
Reissuance of treasury stock for acquisition	'	'	41		'	'
Dividends paid per common share	'	'	$1.10		'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	$1,840,649		'	'
Net earnings	98,312	94,982	187,164		179,668	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-5,310	2,109	-2,653		-374	'
Common stock issuances and reissuances of treasury stock - employee benefit plans	'	'	28,824	[2]	'	'
Reissuance of treasury stock for acquisition (Note 3)	'	'	4,458		'	'
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	'	'	5,091		'	'
Dividends paid on common stock	'	'	-81,942		'	'
Stock-based compensation	'	'	20,833	[3]	'	'
Balance at September 30, 2014	2,002,424	'	2,002,424		'	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'		'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	874		'	'
Issuance of common stock for purchases through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	'	1	[2]	'	'
Balance at September 30, 2014	875	'	875		'	'
Capital In Excess of Par Value [Member]	'	'	'		'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	789,789		'	'
Common stock issuances and reissuances of treasury stock - employee benefit plans	'	'	7,626	[2]	'	'
Reissuance of treasury stock for acquisition (Note 3)	'	'	1,368		'	'
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	'	'	5,091		'	'
Stock-based compensation	'	'	20,833	[3]	'	'
Balance at September 30, 2014	824,707	'	824,707		'	'
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'	'		'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	2,047,843		'	'
Net earnings	'	'	187,164		'	'
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises at lower than repurchase price	'	'	-7,436	[2]	'	'
Dividends paid on common stock	'	'	-81,942		'	'
Balance at September 30, 2014	2,145,629	'	2,145,629		'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'		'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	529		'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	-2,653		'	'
Balance at September 30, 2014	-2,124	'	-2,124		'	'
Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'	'		'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	-998,386		'	'
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises	'	'	28,633	[2]	'	'
Reissuance of treasury stock for acquisition (Note 3)	'	'	3,090		'	'
Balance at September 30, 2014	($966,663)	'	($966,663)		'	'
[1]	Issuance of common stock for purchases through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
[2]	Issuance of common stock for purchases through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and reissuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises.
[3]	The Company recognized compensation expense with a corresponding amount recorded to capital in excess of par value.

Stockholders_Equity_Changes_in

Stockholders' Equity (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	$529,000		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	-2,816,000		'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	'	'	259,000	[1]	'
Tax effect of other comprehensive income items	-48,000	-48,000	-96,000		-96,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-5,310,000	2,109,000	-2,653,000		-374,000
Balance at September 30, 2014	-2,124,000	'	-2,124,000		'
Senior notes, net [Member] | 3.25% senior notes due October 2015 [Member]	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Debt instrument, face amount	250,000,000	'	250,000,000		'
Debt instrument, interest rate	3.25%	'	3.25%		'
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	1,018,000		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	-2,816,000		'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	'	'	0		'
Tax effect of other comprehensive income items	'	'	0		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	-2,816,000		'
Balance at September 30, 2014	-1,798,000	'	-1,798,000		'
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Balance at March 31, 2014	'	'	-489,000		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	0		'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	'	'	259,000	[1]	'
Tax effect of other comprehensive income items	'	'	-96,000		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	163,000		'
Balance at September 30, 2014	($326,000)	'	($326,000)		'
[1]	The reclassifications out of AOCI were associated with a loss on a treasury rate lock agreement from July 2010 related to the issuance of the Company’s $250 million of 3.25% senior notes maturing on October 1, 2015 (the “2015 Notes”), which is being reclassified into earnings (interest expense) over the term of the 2015 Notes. The effects on the respective line items of the consolidated statements of earnings impacted by the reclassifications were not material for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Option [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted	$28.74	$32.40
Shares available for grant	3.2	'
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options	$54.90	'
Weighted-average vesting period of non-vested stock options (in years)	'1 year 10 months	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted	$21.43	$19.27
Shares available for grant	1.2	'

StockBased_Compensation_StockB

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-based compensation expense related to:	'		'		'		'
Stock-based compensation expense	$6,003		$6,237		$20,833		$19,965
Tax benefit	-2,041		-2,134		-7,550		-7,428
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	3,962		4,103		13,283		12,537
Stock Option [Member]	'		'		'		'
Stock-based compensation expense related to:	'		'		'		'
Stock-based compensation expense	4,962	[1]	5,179	[1]	18,734	[1]	17,860	[1]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'		'		'		'
Stock-based compensation expense related to:	'		'		'		'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,041		$1,058		$2,099		$2,105
[1]	Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options granted under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan is highest during the Company’s fiscal first quarter ended June 30th relative to other quarters during the year. This is primarily due to a retirement-eligible vesting provision under the plan and the timing of the majority of the Company’s stock option awards each year during its fiscal first quarter.

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Exercised	-381
Stock Option [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at March 31, 2014	5,104
Granted	973
Exercised	-381
Forfeited	-37
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,659
Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2014, Number Of Stock Options	5,634
Exercisable at September 30, 2014, Number Of Stock Options	3,453
Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	69.91
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	104.79
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	52.1
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	95.87
Outstanding at September 30, 2014, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	76.93
Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2014, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	76.82
Exercisable at September 30, 2014, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	63.51

StockBased_Compensation_ESPP_P

Stock-Based Compensation (ESPP - Purchase Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Exercised	-381
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at March 31, 2014	55
Granted	195
Exercised	-103
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	147
Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	80.77
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	91.38
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	87.17
Outstanding at September 30, 2014, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	90.35

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	2,000,000	1,600,000	1,800,000	1,300,000
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	74,561,000	73,507,000	74,417,000	73,372,000
Incremental shares from assumed exercises of stock options and options under the ESPP	1,193,000	1,308,000	1,199,000	1,304,000
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	75,754,000	74,815,000	75,616,000	74,676,000

Summary_by_Business_Segment_Fi

Summary by Business Segment (Financial Information by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	$1,357,755		$1,281,970		$2,671,342		$2,561,861
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	600,534		563,012		1,183,940		1,138,555
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	500,375		474,455		995,088		947,930
Depreciation	73,160		68,487		145,795		135,517
Amortization	7,905		7,247		15,657		14,476
Total costs and expenses	1,181,974		1,113,201		2,340,480		2,236,478
Operating Income	175,781		168,769		330,862		325,383
Gas and Rent [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	858,515		822,786		1,684,106		1,632,678
Hardgoods [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	499,240		459,184		987,236		929,183
Operating Segments [Member] | Distribution Business Segment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	1,217,010		1,139,576		2,400,622		2,280,660
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	531,867		491,660		1,052,800		996,787
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	452,467		427,351		902,106		854,582
Depreciation	66,949		62,865		133,411		124,529
Amortization	6,881		6,193		13,605		12,255
Total costs and expenses	1,058,164		988,069		2,101,922		1,988,153
Operating Income	158,846		151,507		298,700		292,507
Operating Segments [Member] | Distribution Business Segment [Member] | Gas and Rent [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	718,743		681,389		1,415,308		1,353,875
Operating Segments [Member] | Distribution Business Segment [Member] | Hardgoods [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	498,267		458,187		985,314		926,785
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other Operations Business Segment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	148,795		150,310		285,838		297,580
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	76,717		79,268		146,258		158,147
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	47,908		45,412		92,982		88,952
Depreciation	6,211		5,622		12,384		10,988
Amortization	1,024		1,054		2,052		2,221
Total costs and expenses	131,860		131,356		253,676		260,308
Operating Income	16,935		18,954		32,162		37,272
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other Operations Business Segment [Member] | Gas and Rent [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	147,821		149,313		283,913		295,180
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other Operations Business Segment [Member] | Hardgoods [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	974		997		1,925		2,400
Eliminations and Other [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	-8,050	[1]	-7,916	[1]	-15,118	[1]	-16,379	[1]
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	-8,050	[1]	-7,916	[1]	-15,118	[1]	-16,379	[1]
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	0		1,692		0		4,396
Depreciation	0		0		0		0
Amortization	0		0		0		0
Total costs and expenses	-8,050		-6,224		-15,118		-11,983
Operating Income	0		-1,692		0		-4,396
Eliminations and Other [Member] | Gas and Rent [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	-8,049		-7,916		-15,115		-16,377
Eliminations and Other [Member] | Hardgoods [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net Sales	($1)		$0		($3)		($2)
[1]	Amounts in the “Eliminations and Other” column represent the elimination of intercompany sales and associated gross profit on sales from the Company’s All Other Operations business segment to its Distribution business segment.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Cash Paid For Interest And Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'	'
Interest	$32,667	$42,107
Income taxes, net of refunds	$108,847	$74,910

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa3

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Noncash Investing and Financing Activities) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions [Line Items]	'		'
Net cash paid for acquisitions	($29,834)		($15,745)
FY15 Acquisitions [Member]	'		'
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions [Line Items]	'		'
Fair value of assets acquired	46,048		'
Net cash paid for acquisitions	-29,834	[1]	'
Stock issued for acquisition	-4,458	[2]	'
Liabilities assumed	$11,756		'
[1]	Includes cash paid, net of cash acquired, for current year acquisitions as well as payments for the settlement of holdback liabilities and contingent consideration arrangements associated with prior year acquisitions.
[2]	Represents shares of Airgas, Inc. common stock issued in connection with a single acquisition – see Note 3 for further information.