Airgas Inc. acquired Alabama-based Southern Welding Supply Inc. and Alpena Supply Co., headquartered in Alpena, Mich.

The deals bring the total number of Airgas acquisitions in fiscal 2007 to 10, with acquired sales of more than $140 million.

Airgas is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases. It ranked sixth in Industrial Distribution's 2006 Big 50 list of distributors.

Southern Welding Supply is an industrial gas and welding supply distributor. The company has four locations, in Tarrant, Pelham, Decatur and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and generated $15 million in revenue last year. Southern Welding was integrated into Airgas South, one of Airgas' 13 regional companies.

“We are pleased to welcome 33 associates of Southern Welding to the Airgas team, including Randy Puryear, who will manage sales in Northern Alabama for us,” said Jay Sullivan, president of Airgas South.

In the Michigan acquisition, Airgas Great Lakes will integrate four locations in Alpena, Gaylord, Charlevoix and Petoskey, Mich., including the Welding Division of Alpena Supply and its Northern Michigan Welding Supply affiliate. Collectively, they have more than $4 million in revenues.

The company also operates a plumbing, heating and PVF division that will continue to operate as Alpena Supply Co.–PVF Division.

“These operations will give us better coverage in northern Michigan, especially in Alpena and Gaylord,” said Mike Ziegler, president of Airgas Great Lakes.