Airgas, Inc., the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related supplies, reported record net earnings of $77.7 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, for its second quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Second quarter sales were $1.19 billion, an increase of 12% over the prior year. Total same-store sales grew 10% in the quarter, with hardgoods up 14% and gas and rent up 7%. Acquisitions contributed sales growth of 2% in the quarter. Sequentially, sales increased 2% from the first quarter both in total and on a sales-per-day basis.