Airgas Inc. on March 9 announced it has signed a new supply agreement with Illinois Tool Works, the Glenview, Ill.-based Fortune 500 company that produces engineered fasteners and components, equipment and consumable systems, and specialty products. With the new agreement Airgas will continue to be the preferred supplier of welding hardgoods and safety products for all ITW facilities in the U.S. and is now named as the preferred supplier of industrial gases for ITW U.S. facilities. The two-year agreement is part of the Airgas Strategic Accounts program, established specifically for multi-location customers who benefit from sole-source supply and supply chain management services.
“While we’ve been providing ITW with welding hardgoods and safety products over the past few years as their preferred supplier, we very much appreciate the trust they place with us by adding Airgas industrial gases to the preferred supply agreement,” said Mike Molinini, Airgas executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Airgas and ITW have a strong business relationship as both buyers and sellers of each other’s products. Our complementary business strategies enhance value, furthering our leadership position in our respective industries.”
“We’re pleased with the level of service Airgas provides as a preferred supplier of welding hardgoods and safety products,” said Chris Duchene, vice president for strategic sourcing at ITW. “Their consistent pricing, number of locations coast to coast, and their ability to deliver personalized service at all ITW locations made a strong case for extending the agreement and adding industrial gases. We look forward to continuing this relationship.”
Airgas has developed a strategic organization focusing on specific market segments in order to fully understand customer challenges and provide the right solutions. Airgas market segment leaders within the metal fabrication and industrial equipment group work with account managers and teams within 12 Airgas regional organizations and more than 850 branch locations nationwide to provide custom-tailored solutions for ITW facilities.
About ITW
With $13.9 billion in 2009 revenues, ITW is a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of value-adding and short lead-time industrial products and equipment. The company consists of 840 business units in 57 countries and employs approximately 59,000 people.
About Airgas Inc.
Airgas Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in more than 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through e-business, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base.
