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):
May 5, 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 12. Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
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On May 5, 2004, Airgas, Inc. (the "Company") reported its earnings for
its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, 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:
_________________
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 the non-recourse debt of the National Welders joint
venture, non-cash interest rate hedging 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 May 5, 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.
(Registrant)
BY: /s/ Robert M. McLaughlin
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Robert M. McLaughlin
Vice President & Controller
DATED: May 5, 2004