Airgas Inc. signed a new, two-year supply agreement with Illinois Tool Works as a part of its Airgas Strategic Accounts program, for multi-location customers who benefit from sole-source supply and supply chain management services.

ITW produces engineered fasteners and components, equipment and consumable systems, and specialty products. Among ITW’s welding equipment and consumables brands are Miller Electric, Hobart Brothers, Tregaskiss Welding Products, and Weldcraft.

Airgas and its subsidiaries comprise the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies.

Under the agreement Airgas will continue to be the preferred supplier of welding hard goods and safety products for ITW’s domestic facilities, and it gains “preferred supplier” status for industrial gases at ITW U.S. facilities.

“While we’ve been providing ITW with welding hard goods 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,” stated Mike Molinini, Airgas exec. vice president and chief operating officer.

He said Airgas and ITW have complementary business strategies that further each company’s leadership in their 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 – 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.”