(FORT SMITH, Arkansas, August 30, 2002) — ABF Freight System Inc.® has been named to the top 10 of the NetMarketing 100, a ranking of the best business-to-business Web sites. This award, sponsored by BtoB magazine, ranks the best business-to-business Web sites through a detailed evaluation process. abf.com is a repeat winner of this award and is the only LTL motor carrier Web site selected in 2002. 

In evaluating and ranking these sites, BtoB used five criteria: quality and presentation of the information, ease of navigation, design, eCommerce and extras. Winning Web sites must present relevant information in an easy-to-find fashion. The Web sites must reflect the company with the use of color and graphics. In addition, winning Web sites provide resources that will keep users returning to the site. With a score of 95, abf.com ranked 10th on the full list of the 100 best sites, sharing the top 10 with other eCommerce pioneers such as American Express, Apple, IBM and Microsoft.

Through abf.com, customers have complete visibility and control of their shipments. As customers track their cargo, they may choose to change the destination of a shipment en route with ABF’s online Dynamic Rerouting tool. They can also select guaranteed, expedited service by adding the TimeKeeper® option to their shipment. Through an enhancement to the Logistics Planning Tools, customers may analyze trends in their shipping history with Business Trend Analysis. By reviewing shipping history dating back for two years, customers may discover changes in shipping patterns, such as increased activity with certain vendors or customers.

In addition to advanced logistics analysis and support, abf.com excels at reducing the administrative and transaction costs of shipping. Users can check transit times, get a customer-specific price quotation, complete a bill of lading, submit a pickup request, track their shipment, review important documents like proofs of delivery and much more — all with a few keystrokes at abf.com.

“Since last year’s award, we have made many enhancements to our award-winning eCenter Tools. These innovations are designed to simplify the shipping process for our customers, saving them time and administrative costs,” commented Bob Davidson, ABF Vice President of Marketing and Pricing. “We’ve also expanded our advanced logistics planning tools, giving customers the opportunity to quickly and easily harvest valuable information from their raw shipping data. Our customers have enthusiastically embraced abf.com and have integrated it into their day-to-day freight management. We are gratified to receive further recognition from BtoB with this award.”  

ABF’s eCommerce initiatives consistently have been recognized as best-in-class. During 2001, ABF was named “eComm Innovator of the Year” by Network World magazine, an acknowledgment of ABF’s successful combination of its Internet tools with its strong physical presence in the marketplace. Last year, ABF was again named a Web Business 50 AwardTM winner by CIO magazine, placing abf.com among the best 50 of all Web sites in the world. abf.com is one of only two Internet sites to win this award from CIO magazine in both 2000 and 2001.

ABF Freight System Inc. is one of North America’s largest and most experienced motor carriers, offering direct service to all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces and Puerto Rico. In addition to its broad service to Mexico, the carrier offers service to 250 ports in more than 130 countries worldwide. ABF provides guaranteed expedited service for time-critical and time-definite shipments via its TimeKeeper® service. The carrier has been in continuous service since 1923 and is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS — “ABFS”).

Contact: Mr. Chris Baltz, Director of Marketing & Public Relations-ABF Freight System, Inc.-Telephone: (479) 785-8803