Airgas Inc., Radnor, PA, has acquired West Point Supply Co. Inc. and its related companies, Polar Ice Co., West Point Ice Company Inc., and West Point Cryogenics Inc. The companies share a common location in Souderton, PA, near Philadelphia.

Effective Feb. 1, 2006, the operations of West Point Supply and West Point Cryogenics, which accounted for half the $4 million in acquired sales, have been integrated into Airgas East, one of Airgas’ 13 regional companies. Polar Ice and West Point Ice operations have been integrated into Airgas Dry Ice, distributor of dry ice.

‘This acquisition will strengthen Airgas East’s density in the Philadelphia marketplace and help Airgas Dry Ice increase its capabilities in the market,’ said Mike Molinini, executive vice president and COO for Airgas Inc.

Airgas East, which operates from New England to northern Virginia, has 24 locations in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, including a nearby fill plant in Montgomeryville, PA. It has taken over packaged gas filling and distribution operations at the Souderton location.

Molinini noted that West Point Cryogenics had been a contract hauler for some of Airgas’ bulk customers in the Philadelphia area and that its two MicroBulk trucks will add to the region’s capabilities to serve customers, especially those in the life sciences marketplace.

He added that West Point’s four dry ice delivery vehicles will help expand Airgas Dry Ice presence in the Philadelphia market. It already purchased all of its dry ice from Airgas Dry Ice’s Hopewell, VA, production plant, so customers will see little change in service.