As a response to recent argon gas supply chain issues, Pennsylvania-based Airgas said it will add argon storage nodes to its industrial, medical and specialty gas network.
The company, a division of Air Liquide in France, Airgas provides gases to companies in the automotive, aeronautical, electronic, manufacturing and metal fabrication industries. The additional argon nodes, the company said, would strengthen the argon supply chain.
Two nodes – one in Moraine, Ohio, and the other in Guilderland, N.Y. – were built in late 2022/early 2023, the company said. A third is expected to be operational by the end of this year. The nodes both store enough argon to fill around 40 tanker trucks.
The storage nodes will give the company more flexibility in distributing argon by getting more product inventory closer to customers. The nodes also help the company respond to recent rail transportation delays and logistics challenges. Airgas said it will continue to work to minimize supply chain disruption effects while enhancing operations and meeting customer needs.
“Our investment in these argon storage nodes will provide additional resilience in our supply chain as we strive to provide world class experience and reliability to our customers,” Airgas CEO Marcelo Fioranelli said.
Airgas provides gases to more than 1 million customers, the company said. With nearly 18,000 associates in more than 14,000 locations, the company helps customers purchase industrial, medical and specialty gases. The company is a division of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technology and services for industries and healthcare organizations. Air Liquide has presences in 73 countries with an estimated 67,100 employees, serving more than 3.9 million customers and patients.