The Airgas Chanute branch has been honored with the National Branch of the Year award, a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence. Out of nearly 800 Airgas locations nationwide, this branch stands out as one of only four to receive this prestigious accolade, which celebrates its 21st year. This recognition highlights their exceptional performance in customer service, safety, and financial results. The Chanute team has an unwavering commitment to safety, with over 29 years of zero recordable driving accidents or injuries. They also prioritize exceptional customer service, focusing 100% on the customer’s needs in every interaction. The Branch Manager Doug Ames has instilled a safety-first mentality and fostered a culture of excellence since stepping into his role in 2012, speaking volumes to the team’s exceptional performance.
The Chanute team operates with a strong sense of ownership, effectively managing costs, ensuring wellstocked shelves, and keenly understanding their local market needs. This dedication to running the branch as their own has fueled back-to-back years of solid sales numbers. Their consistent performance and robust safety record also earned the Chanute branch the recognition of the Mid South Regional Small Branch of the Year award.
Dan Sheets, President of the Airgas Mid South Region, states, “I take immense pleasure in witnessing the enthusiasm, passion and commitment that the Chanute team demonstrates towards serving our community daily. Their relentless pursuit of excellence underscores our foremost priority: safety—not just for our employees, but also for our customers and the broader community.
This unwavering dedication to enhancing the customer experience has fostered enduring relationships with our customers, reinforcing our mission to support them in thriving within their respective industries.”
In June, Airgas’ CEO, COO and senior leaders visited the Chanute branch to personally commend the team on their success. The branch was presented with a unique National Branch of the Year trophy—a platinum- coated cylinder—while each associate received a personalized award ring as a symbol of their achievement.
According to Sheets, The Chanute team exemplifies how local empowerment drives exceptional customer experiences and outstanding results. They consistently go the extra mile to meet customer needs, fostering a collaborative environment where team members support and learn from one another, ensuring effortless service delivery.
“Their expertise in managing gas inventories, welding materials, and safety supplies, combined with their in-depth knowledge of advanced fabrication, food processing, supply chain logistics, and safety practices, makes them a valuable resource to the region and a deserving recipient of this esteemed award,” Sheets said.
