Airgas today announced it has signed a strategic agreement with BAE Systems, the UK-based defense and aerospace company. Airgas will supply BAE System's manufacturing locations throughout the U.S. with bulk and packaged industrial gas, welding hardgoods and related products and personal protective equipment (PPE) products.

The five-year agreement will be part of the Airgas strategic accounts program which serves multi-location customers who benefit from sole-source supply and supply chain management services.

"Airgas has been providing packaged gases, welding hardgoods and PPE safety products to various BAE Systems locations for a number of years," said Pat Visintainer, Airgas senior vice-president - corporate accounts.

"This agreement strengthens our partnership by extending Airgas supply to all three principal operating groups- electronic intelligence and support, land & armaments, programs and support- with the industrial gases, welding hardgoods and PPE safety products they require," said Annie Van-Vuong, strategic commodity manager, BAE Systems. "Airgas has the national footprint, comprehensive offering, and supply chain management expertise that will help BAE's Systems divisions optimize performance."

Airgas strategic account managers and teams within 12 Airgas regional companies provide day-to-day service through more than 850 branch locations nationwide. The Airgas strategic accounts approach combines the company's industry-leading distribution platform of products and services with professional expertise to deliver custom-tailored solutions for a broad array of industries.