Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today announced that it has completed the
acquisition of Gordon Woods Industrial Welding Supply, Inc., Accu Air
Gases & Equipment, LP and Summit Gas & Gear, LP. The three companies are
related but separately managed industrial gas and welding supply
distributorships with combined annual revenues of $25 million through 10
locations in southern California. All three businesses are now part of
the Airgas West regional company.
“We are pleased to welcome the management team and about 80 employees
from Gordon Woods Industrial Welding Supply, Accu Air Gases & Equipment
and Summit Gas & Gear to Airgas West,” said Glen Irving, president of
Airgas West. “All three companies enjoy good reputations and strong
customer relationships in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura
counties. Combining the talented leadership and customer service
expertise we’re gaining with Airgas’ broad array of resources will
enhance the value we bring to customers.”
With headquarters in North Hollywood, CA, Gordon Woods was formed in
1979 by James Clune and was most recently owned by sons Bill and Gordon
Clune. Accu Air was formed in 1999 by Gordon Woods and Ron Johnson to
start up industrial, medical and specialty gas operations in Ventura and
Santa Barbara counties. Summit Gas & Gear was organized in 2003 when
Summit Gas & Gear, LP purchased the business from Martin Shober, who
continued as a partner and managed the sales and operations of Summit.
Both Johnson and Shober now have leadership roles within Airgas West.
“Like Airgas, Gordon Woods Industrial Welding Supply has a rich heritage
of growth driven by a ‘can-do’ attitude and providing personal customer
service,” said Bill Clune, Gordon Woods president. “This acquisition
provides our customers with access to more products, services, expertise
and supply chain efficiencies, and it provides our employees with
greater opportunities for personal and professional growth.”
In a separate transaction, Airgas has acquired TexAir Welding Supply,
Ltd. (“TexAir”), an industrial gas and welding supply distributor with
$5 million in annual revenues through branch locations in Henderson,
Longview and Mount Pleasant, Texas. The company, which was founded in
1998 and has been operated by Kevin Curbo, will be integrated into
Airgas Mid South, one of the regional companies within Airgas.
“The acquisition of TexAir Welding Supply expands our geographic
footprint in east Texas, and enhances our ability to serve customers in
that area,” said Terry Lodge, president of Airgas Mid South.
