(FORT SMITH, Arkansas, August 20, 2003) — ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, is celebrating the eighth annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Aug. 24–30, 2003, with its annual “Appreciate Your Trucker… ABF Does.” campaign. ABF^® service centers throughout North America will have special activities and awards during Appreciation Week.

“I sincerely appreciate the efforts of ABF employees and their contribution to our company and to the North American economy. Our customers value the professional manner in which ABF handles their shipments, the personalized assistance, and the commitment to error-free service,” said ABF President and CEO Bob Davidson. “ABF today is the sum total of the individual contributions and achievements of each employee.”  

ABF’s appreciation campaign immediately follows the National Truck Driving Championships in Columbus, Ohio. This safe-driving event is sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). Forty-three ABF drivers placed in the state competitions, with 18 of those drivers taking first place and earning the right to compete in this year’s championships.

ABF’s safety, security and freight-handling performance has been consistently recognized as best-in-class. During the past decade, 99% of all shipments handled by ABF have moved without a loss or damage claim. Over the past two decades, ABF has received the ATA’s prestigious President’s Trophy for safety in virtually every year that it has been eligible. In each of the last 30 years, ABF’s safety ranking has been first, second or third within its trucking category. In 2001, the ATA selected ABF as the top LTL motor carrier both in claims/loss prevention and in security, the first such dual award of its kind. In 2002, ABF was again selected by the ATA as the top LTL motor carrier in claims/loss prevention.

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.