SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 8-K Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): July , 1996 AIRGAS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-9344 56-0732648 _______________ _______________________ _____________ (State or other (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employee jurisdiction of Identification incorporation) No.) 100 Matsonford Road, Suite 550 Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087 ____________________________________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253 ______________ ____________________________________________________________ (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) 1 Item 5. Other Events On July 26, 1996, Praxair, Inc. ("Praxair") filed suit against Airgas, Inc. (the "Company") in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama. The complaint alleges tortious interference with business or contractual relations with respect to Praxair's Right of First Refusal contract with National Welders Supply Company, Inc. ("National Welders") by the Company in connection with the Company's formation of a joint venture with National Welders. Praxair is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $100 million and punitive damages. The Company believes that Praxair's claims are without merit and intends to defend vigorously against such claims. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. AIRGAS, INC. Date: July 31, 1996 By: /s/ Hermann Knieling _________________________________________ Hermann Knieling President and Chief Operating Officer