Airgas buys Merriam-Graves Corp.

Industrial Distribution staff -- Industrial Distribution, 2/4/2008 6:30:00 AM

Charlestown, N.H.-based Merriam-Graves, which distributes industrial, medical and specialty gases, has 25 locations in New England and New York. The company had sales of $47 million last year.

Radnor, Pa.-based Airgas said the acquisition was integrated into its Salem, N.H.-based Airgas East division. CEO Scott Wakeman and president Kit Wakeman will join Airgas East.

“We are excited to welcome Scott and Kit Wakeman and all 225 Merriam-Graves associates to the Airgas team,” Airgas East president Fred Manley said. “They will find that their experience and entrepreneurial spirit will fit well with the Airgas culture. The added locations fill in our own network and help us serve customers in New England and New York more effectively.”

Airgas ranked fifth on INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION’s 2007 Big 50 list of distributors, with sales of $3.2 billion during fiscal 2007.