Airgas acquires Weldinghouse, nitrogen services unit of Priority Energy

Industrial and specialty gases company Airgas has acquired the assets and operations of Weldinghouse and its affiliates, effective July 17, and Priority Energy Services, effective July 20. 

Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed. 

Airgas has now completed nine acquisitions since beginning its 2016 fiscal year on April 1, 2015, totaling approximately $74 million in aggregate acquired revenue.

“The addition of Weldinghouse’s associates and locations into Airgas via our Gulf Coast region will enhance and strengthen our position in this important market,” said Jason Favre, president of Airgas for the US Gulf Coast region. “We look forward to continuing to provide Weldinghouse’s customers with the exemplary service and products they have come to expect and are proud to welcome Weldinghouse’s associates into the Airgas family.”

Weldinghouse is an industrial gas and welding supply distributor that generated more than $19 million in sales in calendar year 2014. Headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, Weldinghouse has four locations throughout southern Texas and nearly 40 associates.

“Weldinghouse has developed a great deal of respect for the way Airgas conducts business and the value they bring to the gas and welding industries,” said Gary Gray, vice president of Weldinghouse. “Additionally, Airgas is focused on meeting the needs of our employees and customers. As Weldinghouse joins Airgas, our customers will reap great benefits and the South Texas welding industry will be strengthened.”

Headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, Priority Energy Services is a nitrogen services company with approximately 75 employees operating out of seven locations in Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia. Priority Energy Services generated more than $21 million in sales in calendar year 2014.

“We look forward to welcoming Priority Energy Services’ associates and customers into the Airgas family,” said Tom Thoman, president of the gases division at Airgas. “With this acquisition, Airgas will now offer nitrogen services and solutions to process industries for purging and pipeline applications to optimize plant and pipeline operations, further enhancing the quality and breadth of Airgas’ service and product offerings for our customers.”

The acquired business will be integrated into Airgas as a newly formed business unit named Airgas Priority Nitrogen.

“It’s an exciting time for Priority Energy as our nitrogen services group joins Airgas,” said Chris Abide, president of Priority Energy Services, who will now lead nitrogen services at Airgas. “We feel that Airgas’ culture and values are an excellent match for our associates and customers and look forward to a bright future and successful partnership with Airgas.”