(FORT SMITH, Arkansas, August 4, 2003) — Jim Curtis, vice president of equipment and maintenance for ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, will retire August 31, 2003, concluding more than 36 years with ABF^® and its affiliates.

In 1967, Mr. Curtis began working for Data-Tronics, a sister company to ABF, as a programmer/systems analyst. A year later he moved to the economic analysis department within Arkansas Best Corporation, ABF’s parent company. In 1973, Mr. Curtis joined the equipment and maintenance department of ABF where he has been responsible for ABF’s overall equipment plan, including analysis of replacement cycles, development of specifications, and the purchase, maintenance and disposal of equipment.

ABF President and CEO Bob Davidson commented, “Since 1972, I have had the great pleasure to know Jim Curtis and to work with him. As my first supervisor, he showed me the ‘ABF Way’ of deliberate, conscientious and error-free work. I have always admired Jim for his character and his leadership by example. During his tenure, Jim has made a profound contribution to ABF, developing the industry’s most cost-effective equipment and maintenance programs while maintaining a safe and reliable fleet.”

 “ABF considers much more than just the initial investment when we evaluate equipment. Environmental issues, as well as future maintenance, fuel usage and the comfort of our drivers, are always thoroughly reviewed,” Mr. Curtis noted. “Having the most efficient and best maintained fleet in our industry contributes to ABF’s outstanding safety record and is a key factor in providing best-in-class customer service. By virtually any measure, over the last 15 years ABF has been consistently ranked in the top three among the largest 10-15 motor carriers. That doesn’t happen without a specific plan and precise execution. It is something we have worked diligently to accomplish.”

Jim and his wife, Leola, have four children and six grandchildren. In his retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with family and having more time for gardening and photography.

Gary Hunt, 19 years with ABF, will assume the position vacated by Mr. Curtis. Previously, Mr. Hunt served as director of equipment.

ABF Freight System is one of North America’s largest and most experienced motor carriers, with 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. Via its TimeKeeper^® service, ABF provides guaranteed expedited service for time-critical and time-definite shipments. The company’s Web site, www.abf.com, is ranked among the best 50 of all sites by CIO magazine and the top 10 Web sites by BtoB magazine. ABF has been in continuous service since 1923 and is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS).

Contact: Mr. Chris Baltz, director of marketing & public relations — ABF Freight System, Inc. — Telephone: (479) 785-8803. Photo image of Mr. Curtis is available at www.abf.com/about/press/executives.asp.