Ahead of the Bell: Analyst upgrades Airgas

NEW YORK - An analyst Tuesday upgraded Airgas Inc., a producer and distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, saying the recent 30 percent decline in the share price presents investors with a good opportunity to buy shares.

Analyst David J. Manthey of Robert W. Baird & Co. upgraded Airgas, which also manufactures welding, safety and related products, to "Outperform" from "Neutral."

"Following the recent 30 percent (plus) price decline, we believe the stock now represents significant value," Manthey wrote in a note to investors.

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Airgas Orange County Chopper in West Burlington, Iowa today

Airgas District Manager Brain Palmer of Des Moines delivers the Airgas ‘Future’ Chopper early this morning for ‘Customer Appreciation Day’ event at Airgas welding supply at Agency and Broadway in West Burlington. The motorcycle is a $150,000 one-of-a-kind built by Orange County Choppers in New York. The bike measures over 10-feet in length, weighs 620-pounds, and is powered by a 127-horsepower engine. It will be on display from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. today.

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Airgas CFO to Present at Oppenheimer Industrials Conference

RADNOR, PA – September 24, 2008 – Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert M. McLaughlin will speak at the Oppenheimer 3rd Annual Industrials Conference in New York City on Friday, October 3, at 11:00 a.m. ET. Interested parties may listen to a live webcast of the presentation by accessing http://investor.shareholder.com/arg/events.cfm. The webcast will be available for replay until November 3.

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Airgas CFO to Present at Bank of America Investment Conference

RADNOR, PA – September 05, 2008 – Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert M. McLaughlin will speak at the Bank of America 38th Annual Investment Conference in San Francisco on Monday, September 15, at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET). Interested parties may listen to a live webcast of the presentation, as well as a breakout session to follow, by accessing http://investor.shareholder.com/arg/events.cfm. The webcast will be available for replay until October 3.

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West Burlington City Council looks at stormwater study affecting Airgas branch

WEST BURLINGTON -- It could cost as much as $1 million to address concerns about stormwater flooding at the intersection of Agency and Broadway streets, according to a study commissioned in May by the West Burlington City Council.

The study was spurred by Sam Willson, branch manager for Airgas North Central at 105 Agency St., who said the business has been impacted for years by stormwater overflow due to its location, which is at a lower elevation than nearby properties such as Wal-Mart, which were developed after Airgas located to the area.

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Airgas Announces Second Quarter Earnings Release Schedule

RADNOR, PA – September 23, 2008 – Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) will release its second quarter earnings shortly after 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 23, 2008, and will host a teleconference at 11:00 a.m. ET on Friday, October 24, 2008. The presentation materials will be available on the Internet at http://investor.shareholder.com/arg/slides.cfm by 5 p.m. on October 23. A web cast of the teleconference will be available live and on demand through November 25 at http://investor.shareholder.com/arg/events.cfm

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Investor's Business Daily Airgas Feature

Investor's Business Daily features an article on Airgas in it's Long Term Investor section. Below is an excerpt of the feature:

"Airgas (ARG) buys gases of all sorts in bulk, packs it into cylinders and sells it for industrial and commercial uses.

Welding has long been its central focus. But in recent years, the company has branched out."

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ASA Speed Truck Challenge Roars Into Final Championship Showdown

UPLAND, California — With only three races left in what has proven again to be a season of exciting twists and turns of excellent driving, the ASA Speed Truck Challenge (ASA STC) will crown its 2008 season champion on October 25th.

Current veteran and two-time ASA STC champion, Darren Young, in the now famous, #18 United Nissan / Sudden Impact / Quaker State Chevy S-10 is just a mere 46 points ahead of second place, Todd McLauchlan. McLauchlan also a long-time driving veteran, in the #38 Institutional Cabinet & Millwork / ULTRA Boats / Airgas Toyota Tacoma; is gunning for this Championship to add to his many others in just about every other form of four-wheel racing.

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Expanded $130,000 Contingency Program to Reward Grand-Am Champions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2008) - Grand-Am Road Racing today announced an additional $130,000 will be paid to its champions at the end of the 2008 season as part of an expanded contingency award program.

Contingency sponsors contributing to the point funds of both series include Airgas Inc; BMW of North America Inc.; CDOC; Cobalt Friction; Cole Motorsports; Fikse Wheels; Ford Motor Company; Forgeline Motorsports; MAZDASPEED Motorsports; and Performance Friction.

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Airgas to collocate carbon dioxide plant

Airgas Inc., the largest distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases in the United States, has agreed to build a 450-ton-per-day liquid carbon dioxide plant at First United Ethanol LLC, a 100 MMgy ethanol plant in Camilla, Ga.

The carbon dioxide facility will refine the ethanol coproduct for use in the food, commercial and beverage industries. Airgas expects the refinery to be operational by late 2009. The ethanol plant is scheduled to begin operating in October.

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Airgas and Bedford Ford welcome Kool and The Gang to the Big Sandy Superstore Arena

Beford Ford & Airgas welcome Kool & The Gang to the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, in Huntington, West Virginia on Friday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.

There will be mutiple stages and performers, come out and learn some new dance moves! Tickets are priced at $57.50.

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Frist Annual America Supports YouFreedom Walk

The America Supports You Freedom Walk is taking place on September 13 @ 10:00 am in Valley Forge Park, Valley Forge, PA. This walk is an event to reflect on the lives lost on 9/11, honor our service members, past and present, and renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country. Airgas is proud to be a sponsor and lend our assistance to the planning of this event and be a part of the first Freedom Walk to take place in our area.

For more details and information on how to sign up click here