Posted April 23, 2010
Airgas announces price increases
Airgas Inc. announced that beginning June 1, 2010, or as contracts permit, its operating units will increase prices on bulk and packaged gases, and other products and services.
Prices will increase, on average, 6 - 9% for all bulk and packaged industrial, medical, and specialty gases; 5 - 10% for cylinder and bulk tank rental rates; 3 - 6% for welding hardgoods and safety products.
Rising costs for raw material, power, fuel, and labor and benefits have led to increases in product costs from suppliers as well as operating costs at Airgas plants and distribution facilities. The company also has seen higher prices for welding hardgoods and safety products, cylinders, bulk tanks, gas handling plants and equipment, in addition to rising costs of regulatory compliance, all of which factored into the pricing actions.
"Nearly two years have passed since our last across-the-board price increase, and the pace of cost increases is now accelerating as the economy recovers," said Airgas chairman and CEO Peter McCausland. "Airgas associates are working hard every day to meet our customers' needs. We continue to leverage our industry-leading infrastructure and comprehensive product and service offering so we can safely and efficiently meet the demands of our customers."
