14:30 | 03.03.2010
Airgas and Case Western Reserve University Sign Seven-Year Supply Agreement
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG), today announced it has signed a supply
agreement with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). CWRU, a private
university located in Cleveland, Ohio, is continually ranked among the
country’s top research universities. Airgas will provide specialty gases
and equipment to more than 600 CWRU laboratories, as well as industrial
gases to other areas within CWRU. The seven-year agreement, with
estimated annual sales of $1 million, was facilitated by Airgas’ and
CWRU’s affiliation with E&I Cooperative Purchasing. Airgas has a
national competitively awarded supplier contract with E&I.
“We are very happy with this supply agreement and the opportunity to
help Case Western Reserve realize significant cost efficiencies through
more effective supply chain management,” said Todd Morris, Airgas
director for laboratory markets. “We have already transitioned more than
2,000 gas cylinders and realized a 20% inventory reduction from CWRU’s
previous long-term supplier. We are putting our OUTLOOK®
Managed Services and AIM™ (Airgas Inventory Management) programs in
place, complete with an onsite Airgas account manager, so we can deliver
the personalized attention CWRU deserves.”
“With this agreement Airgas and Case Western Reserve are committed to
working together to make our gas and equipment procurement process
highly efficient and more cost effective,” said Laura Artwell, Case
Western Reserve University director of procurement and distribution
services. “Keeping our laboratories and other university areas
efficiently supplied with the right materials can be a challenge. With
help from Airgas we’ll develop a customized e-Business solution using
SmartCART, Case Western Reserve University’s newest procurement tool
that will increase procurement efficiency for the end user. We’re
confident Airgas will meet our unique needs.”
Airgas has developed a strategic organization focusing on specific
market segments in order to fully understand customer challenges and
provide custom-tailored solutions. Airgas market segment leaders work
with account managers and teams within 12 Airgas regional organizations
and more than 850 branch locations nationwide to provide the right
solutions for a broad array of industries. The Airgas laboratories
group, Airgas Great Lakes, and an onsite Airgas account manager work
with Case Western Reserve University.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is continually ranked among the
country’s top research universities, but its success is not bound by the
numbers. The university’s unique history supports an experience-based
approach to education and inquiry that combines arts and humanities with
science and technology. Under new leadership, the university is
redefining its mission — and the role of a research university in the 21st
century. Be it through a renewed commitment to diversity or its many
stories of innovation, Case Western Reserve is all about improving and
enriching the lives and imagining and influencing the future.
About E&I
Established in 1934 by members of The National Association of
Educational Procurement (NAEP), Educational & Institutional Cooperative
Purchasing (E&I) is a buying cooperative that serves colleges and
universities. As the premier group purchasing organization for higher
education, E&I uses the combined purchasing power of more than 1,700
member institutions to lower costs on a wide range of products and
services. The organization provides members with access to a diverse
portfolio of high quality national and regional contracts from
best-in-class suppliers. E&I’s member-driven competitive solicitation
process has been validated by the National Institute of Governmental
Purchasing (NIGP). For more information, please go to: www.eandi.org.
About Airgas, Inc.
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S.
distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods,
such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the
largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer
of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer
in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals,
refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in
over 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill
plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution
centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through
eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong
local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer
base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.
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