Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, a U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and welding, safety and related products, today sales of $1.1 billion for the third quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008, an increase of 7% from the prior year. Profit grew 10.7% to $62.9 million.

"Our strategic products, which have favorable long-term growth profiles and represent about 40% of sales, posted 4% organic growth in the quarter," CEO Peter McCausland said.  "The second half of the quarter was characterized by widespread slowing across most of our customer segments, with relative strength in the medical, analytical, and food and beverage segments.
 
For the first nine months, sales increased 14.7% to $3.36 billion. Profit was $204.6 million, an …