Holston Gases

Holston Gases is an American independent supplier of industrial, medical, propane, and beverage gases, founded in 1958 by Pat Baxter and Bob Walsh in Knoxville, Tennessee. The company began as a two-man operation and has grown into one of the largest independent gas distributors in the United States, with more than 40 locations across a multi-state footprint. It remains family-owned, with the Baxter family retaining ownership after Pat Baxter bought out Bob Walsh in 1976. Pat's son Bill Baxter joined in 1981, and Robert Anders joined in 1990 to add management depth. The company is headquartered in Knoxville and operates 45 locations in six states—Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina—while also serving customers in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois, and Indiana. Holston Gases offers a broad portfolio of gases and related products. Its medical gas division fills over 200,000 cylinders annually, including USP gases, lung diffusion mixtures, and blood gases, all produced in FDA-audited facilities. The company also produces over 36,000 bandsaw blades annually through its Lenox-certified weld center, and supplies beverage-grade CO2 from 20-pound cylinders to 50-ton bulk tanks. Its specialty gas department provides ultra-high-purity, zero-grade, laser, and PPM mixtures with nationwide delivery. Dry ice products support industrial blasting, cleaning, temperature-controlled distribution, and food processing. Cylinder and bulk gas offerings range from 20 CF containers to jumbo tube trailers and 13,000-gallon liquid tanks. The company emphasizes family ownership, local management, and customer service. Branch managers typically run their operations for many years, acting as local business and community leaders. Holston Gases pursues steady strategic acquisitions alongside internal growth in existing locations. Its positioning as a family-owned, independent alternative to national gas companies has helped it attract talent from larger competitors. The company is privately held and does not trade on public markets.

Holston Gases was founded in 1958 by Pat Baxter and Bob Walsh in Knoxville, Tennessee. The company started as a two-man operation and grew steadily, employing many others over the years. In 1976, Pat Baxter bought out Bob Walsh, consolidating ownership. In 1981, Pat's son Bill Baxter joined the company, marking the next generation of family involvement. By 1990, the business needed additional management depth, and Robert Anders joined the company. Over the following years, Robert Anders and Bill Baxter groomed additional management talent internally and also recruited people from national companies who were attracted to the family-owned, independent atmosphere that Holston offered. Holston Gases has grown to over 40 locations serving customers in 12 states. The company's growth strategy combines steady, strategic acquisitions with a strong commitment to internal growth in existing locations. Managers typically take over a branch operation and stay there for many years, running it as if it were their own business. They become part of the community and are involved in business, social, and recreational activities, taking pride in representing Holston Gases and their role in local industry and commerce. They also lead the company's efforts at giving back to their communities. Today, Holston Gases is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and operates 45 locations in six states: Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It also serves customers in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois, and Indiana. The company describes itself as one of the largest independent suppliers of industrial, medical, propane, and beverage gases in the United States. Its product and service portfolio includes medical gases (over 200,000 cylinders filled annually, including USP gases, lung diffusion, and blood gases produced in FDA-audited facilities), bandsaw blades (over 36,000 produced annually through a Lenox-certified weld center), beverage-grade CO2 (from 20 lb cylinders to 50-ton bulk tanks), specialty gases (ultra-high purity, zero-grade, laser, PPM mixes, delivered nationwide), dry ice (for industrial blasting, cleaning, temperature-controlled distribution, and food processing), and cylinder and bulk gases (from 20 CF containers to jumbo tube trailers and 13,000-gallon liquid tanks). The company remains family-owned and privately held.

• 1990

  Robert Anders joined to add management depth.

• 1981

  Pat's son Bill Baxter joined the company.

• 1976

  Pat Baxter bought out Bob Walsh.

• 1958

  Founded by Pat Baxter and Bob Walsh in Knoxville, Tennessee, as a two-man operation.

• Grew to over 40 locations serving customers in 12 states.

• Operates 45 locations in six states: Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

One of the largest independent suppliers of industrial, medical, propane, and beverage gases in the United States, emphasizing family ownership, local management, and customer service.

• Medical Gas

  USP gases, lung diffusion and blood gases; over 200,000 cylinders filled annually; produced in FDA-audited facilities.

• Bandsaw Blades

  Over 36,000 blades produced annually; Lenox certified weld center with sizing, support, and UPS shipping.

• Beverage-grade CO2

  From 20 lb cylinders to 50-ton bulk tanks; bulk supply, installation, maintenance, and delivery from depot locations.

• Specialty Gases

  Ultra High Purity, Zero-Grade, Laser, PPM mixes, and more; nationwide delivery.

• Dry Ice

  For industrial blasting and cleaning, temperature-controlled distribution, and food processing; various pellet sizes and blasting rental equipment.

• Cylinder & Bulk Gases

  Liquid and gaseous products from 20 CF containers to jumbo tube trailers and 13,000-gallon liquid tanks; includes oxygen, nitrous oxide, and blood gas mixtures.

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