David Stubblefield, President and CEO

Dear Former Preston Customer,

The LTL industry has undergone dramatic change over the past 20 years. The recently announced closing of Preston Trucking Company is another example of the ever-shifting LTL carrier landscape. Year-in and year-out ABF's performance stands apart from the rest of the LTL industry. For example, YTD 1999 ABF has posted a 93.1 operating ratio compared to a 97.9 combined operating ratio for our three largest competitors. As we move into the next millennium, ABF can provide the stability your company needs in a transportation partner.

Our formula for success has been simple - truly listening to our customers. As a customer-driven company, ABF knows how to adapt when your needs change. In case you missed it, ABF recently announced a significant improvement in our transit times, including a three-fold increase in our two-day service. In over 12,000 lanes between our service centers, our standard service is now two business days. This means that most of our 310 local service centers across North America now provide standard second-morning service to thousands of new cities, including many that are important to your business.

As a typical example, our Peoria service center now provides two-day service to 30 other service centers and 4,059 cities and towns across the eastern U.S. Comparable improvements have been made all across our system. And, there has been similar improvement in many longer lanes. In total, ABF has cut more than 30,000 days from our lane transit times and, in turn, from your supply chain.

We think you'll be pleased to know that, in making these service improvements, we have not added any shipping complications or shipment restrictions. Unlike some of our competitors, our new transit standards are applicable for ALL your freight. And, they apply in smaller locations - not just metro areas. We've improved our service while maintaining the ease-of-use customers expect from ABF. As a result, regional shipments are currently approaching 30% of our total business. That puts ABF's regional business on par with Preston's total business revenue. Without question, ABF has the expertise to meet your regional transportation needs.

Soon, an ABF Sales Representative will be contacting you to offer assistance in this difficult time of transition. We encourage you to contact your local ABF service center or to call 1-800-610-5544 for more information about the transition into the ABF system.

Sincerely,



David E. Stubblefield