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):
July 24, 2003
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AIRGAS, INC.
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(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
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253
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Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
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In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's interim
guidance regarding Form 8-K Item 12 filing requirements as set forth in
Release No. 33-8216, the following information is intended to be furnished
by Airgas, Inc. (the "Company") under Item 12, "Disclosure of Results
of Operations and Financial Condition," rather than under Item 9. The
information 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.
On July 24, 2003, Airgas, Inc. reported its earnings for its first quarter
ended June 30, 2003, as described in the press release attached as
Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
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). The Company uses 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 non-cash items and funds received (or repaid)
under the trade receivables securitization program. Free Cash Flow is a
non-GAAP measure of 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 believes that Free Cash Flow provides investors with meaningful
insight into the ability of the Company to generate cash flow in excess of the
cash required to maintain the Company's existing operations.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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(a) None
(b) None
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 - Press Release dated July 24, 2003
Signatures
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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: July 24, 2003