Valley National Gases Incorporated. The Group's principal activity is to pack and distribute cylinder and bulk industrial, medical and specialty gases. The Group also provides welding equipment and supplies (including welding machines, wire, fluxes and electrodes and a variety of supporting equipment), propane and fire protection equipment. Gases packaged and distributed by the Group include oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, helium, acetylene, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, specialty gases and propane. The Group distributes its products through 71 distribution and retail locations. The Group acquired Buckeye Corporation, Mansfield Oxygen Corp and Gas Arc, Inc in fiscal 2002 and Gerber's Propane, Inc in fiscal 2003. Gases accounted for 43% of fiscal 2002 revenues; Welding equipment and Supplies, 41% and Cylinder and Tank rental, 16%.