Exhibit 99 - ---------- Investor Contact: Media Contact: Melissa Nigro (610) 902-6206 James Ely (610) 902-6010 melissa.nigro@airgas.com jim.ely@airgas.com For release: Immediately Airgas Announces Note Offering RADNOR, PA - July 11, 2001 -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) announced today its intent to sell $200,000,000 of senior subordinated notes due 2011. Concurrently with the offering, Airgas will obtain a new revolving credit facility for which the Company has received commitments of $400 million, of which the United States dollar equivalent of CDN$50 million will be available in the form of Canadian dollar denominated loans. Net proceeds from the offering, together with initial borrowings under the new credit facility, will be used to refinance the loans outstanding under Airgas' existing credit facility. The notes are being sold in the United States to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A, and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any applicable state laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities ABOUT AIRGAS, INC. Airgas, Inc. is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding, safety and related products. Its integrated network of 700 locations includes branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telemarketing channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offers a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements about Airgas within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Airgas' intent to sell senior subordinated notes; reduce borrowings under the revolving credit facility; renew the revolving credit facility; and diversity sources of credit. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statements include Airgas' ability to sell the notes; ability to obtain a new revolving credit facility and general economic conditions. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Airgas' periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2001. ###