RADNOR, Pa. - Airgas Inc. announced it has completed the acquisition of the Atlanta-based Industrial Products Division of LaRoche Industries. The acquired operations will form a new business unit, Airgas Specialty Products.

The business, which includes a nationwide distribution system of 24 locations and more than 100 delivery vehicles, generated about $65 million in revenues in 2004 and employs more than 130 people. Airgas first announced its intent to acquire LaRoche's business on April 26, 2005. The acquisition is expected to be accretive in the first year.

LaRoche Industries is a supplier of ammonia products and services in the United States for nitrogen oxide abatement within the utility industry as well as metal finishing, water treatment, chemical processing, and ammonia refrigeration applications. "We are proud that our new Airgas Specialty Products team will continue providing ammonia products and services in the LaRoche tradition," said Ted Schulte, division president - Gas Operations, who will manage the new business along with several other business units in the division.