UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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):
October 29, 2003
AIRGAS, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-9344 56-0732648
_______________ _______________________ _____________
(State or other (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Identification No.)
incorporation)
259 North Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087-5283
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253
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Item 12. Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
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On October 29, 2003, Airgas, Inc. (the "Company") reported its
earnings for its second quarter and six months ended September 30,
2003, as described in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 and
incorporated herein by reference.
The information contained in this Form 8-K report shall not be deemed
"filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by
specific reference in such a filing.
Non-GAAP Measures:
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The press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 contains certain financial
measures that are not defined under generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP). Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP measure that provides
investors meaningful insight into the Company's ability to generate cash
from continuing operations, which can be used at management's discretion
for acquisitions, the repayment of debt or to support other investing
and financing activities. The Company uses the non-GAAP measure
Adjusted Debt to provide investors with a more accurate and meaningful
measure of the change in the Company's obligation to repay debt by
adjusting for non-cash items and funds received (or repaid) under the
trade receivables securitization program.
The Company's intent is to provide non-GAAP financial information to
enhance investors' understanding of the Company's consolidated
financial statements and should be considered by the reader in
addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in
accordance with GAAP.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
__________________________________________________________________
(a) None
(b) None
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 - Press Release dated October 29, 2003
Signatures
__________
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and 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.
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(Registrant)
BY: /s/ Robert M. McLaughlin
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Robert M. McLaughlin
Vice President & Controller
DATED: October 30, 2003