RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2006--Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today announced the start of a national tour to showcase two Airgas Chopper motorcycles, designed and built by Orange County Choppers (OCC) using Airgas gases and hardgoods.

Airgas is an official supplier of cutting and welding gases, welding consumables, and other industrial and MRO supplies to OCC, the nationally known designer of customized motorcycles.

Run by father-and-son team Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr., the Montgomery, NY-based OCC created the Airgas Choppers to help mark the company's nearly quarter-century of growth. One chopper, featuring a gas tank that resembles an Airgas cylinder, reflects the proud history of Airgas with its "old school" design. The other bike represents the bright future of Airgas, with its sleek, streamlined frame.

"These designs also showcase the complex and beautiful nature of a finished product built using Airgas products," commented Airgas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. "We believe these choppers will help us to build business at every branch with our core customers, who we know love and appreciate these awesome works of art."

McCausland noted that each Airgas Chopper will begin touring branch locations in March, with the Airgas Old School Chopper in the eastern part of the U.S. and the Airgas Future Chopper heading west. This fall, the two bikes will switch places on the tour.

The Airgas Choppers will make appearances at open houses, customer appreciation events, trade shows and special events throughout the country in the coming year as Airgas approaches its 25th anniversary in 2007. The tour schedule, along with more information about the Airgas Choppers is available at www.airgas.com.

"The Airgas Chopper tour will do more than just excite Airgas employees and customers - it also will benefit a great cause," said McCausland. At many of the Chopper appearances, tour attendees will be invited to make a $5 donation and have their picture taken with the Chopper as part of Airgas Puritan Medical's national partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's GREAT STRIDES campaign.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also the third-largest U.S. distributor of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants and ammonia products. Its 10,000 employees work in about 900 locations including 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 telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.