Airgas, Inc. (www.airgas.com) has acquired A&N Plant, a European-based supplier of new and reconditioned rotating, positioning, and welding equipment for sale and rent. The business generated approximately $20 million in revenues for the year ended June 30, 2007.

The acquisition was effective April 4, and Airgas said it led to the creation of a new business unit for its Red-D-Arc Limited unit.

A&N Plant has an office in Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire, and facilities in St. Helens, Merseyside, England, and in Stellendam, The Netherlands.

It operates in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, serving a diverse customer base in offshore and onshore oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, environmental, industrial plant, and steel fabrication industries.

With the acquisition, Alaster Dibbo founder of A&N Plant, his partner, Rob Damstra, and 28 A&N Plant associates joined Red-D-Arc, Mitch Imielinski, president of Red-D-Arc, said. Further, Andre Frenette, vice president of sales for North America for Red-D-Arc, is to relocate to direct the integration of the company. Frenette was named vice president of European Operations for Red-D-Arc.