Airgas completes six acquisitions
Airgas Inc. announced it has acquired six businesses that generated combined annual revenues of approximately $17 million in 2011.
"We're beginning to see greater interest on the part of packaged gas and hardgoods distributors, as well as product-line adjacency businesses, in enhancing their product and service offerings to their loyal customers under the Airgas brand," said Les Graff, Airgas Senior Vice President - Corporate Development. "We look forward to continuing the tradition of outstanding customer service that these businesses have built over many years, and we welcome all of our new associates to the Airgas family."
On Aug. 1, Airgas acquired Terjan Co. Inc., which was doing business as Valley Welding & Industrial Supply, based in Bakersfield, Calif. Founded in 2000 by 30-year welding supply veteran Jan Meyer, Valley serves the region's industrial and agricultural customers. The company's 14 associates, along with the Bakersfield location which accommodates cylinder filling and warehousing operations, are now part of Airgas USA LLC's West region.
On Aug. 1, Airgas USA also purchased AEON Corporation, which was doing business as Ferguson Industrial Gases, an industrial gas and welding supply distributor in Texas. Ferguson Industrial Gases was established in 1978 and has served industrial and medical customers out of its Frisco, McKinney, Lewisville, and Sherman, Texas locations. Ferguson Industrial Gases' 17 associates and four locations are now part of Airgas USA's Southwest region, enhancing Airgas' distribution footprint in the greater Dallas area.
Mountain Welding Supply LLC, an industrial gas and welding supply distributor based in Pioneer, Calif., joined Airgas USA's Northern California and Nevada region effective Aug. 1. Mountain has been servicing customers in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains outside of Sacramento for more than 12 years.
Florida-based carbon dioxide and dry ice distributor Carbonic Group, owned by John and Herb Hinely, joined Airgas Carbonic effective July 2. With locations in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami, Carbonic Group's 36 associates and more than 40 years of experience will further enhance Airgas' strong presence in those regions.
Reese Oxygen & Hydro-Testing LLC, joined Airgas National Welders effective July 1. Reese and its four associates bring a rich 30-year history of serving medical and industrial gas customers in greater Gibsonville, N.C.
Red-D-Arc Limited, an Airgas company, acquired the Chicoutimi, Quebec location of Soudogaz Inc., a privately-held business based in the Province of Quebec, Canada, that sells, services, and rents used welding and positioning equipment. The location also offers an accredited equipment repair service, provides 24-hour emergency services, and offers training programs for specialty welding applications. Seven employees from the Soudogaz Chicoutimi location are now part of Red-D-Arc's operations. The acquisition, which closed in April, has enabled Red-D-Arc to increase its footprint in northeastern Quebec with additional sales and repair resources.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The May/June issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about GHX Industrial. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
