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):
April 2, 2004
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. Employer
jurisdiction of Identification No.)
incorporation)
259 North Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087-5283
_________________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253
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Item 5. Other Events
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On April 2, 2004, Airgas, Inc. announced that it has signed a
definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire most of the U.S. packaged
gas business of the BOC Group, Inc. (NYSE: BOX) in a transaction valued
up to $200 million.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
___________________________________________________________________
(a) None
(b) None
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 - Press Release dated April 2, 2004
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: April 6, 2004