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):
January 28, 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 January 28, 2004, Airgas, Inc. (the "Company") reported its earnings for
its third quarter and nine months ended December 31, 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:
_________________
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 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 January 28, 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: January 28, 2004