(FORT SMITH, Arkansas, November 20, 2003) — ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, has been named by Selling Power magazine as one of the top seven companies to sell for in the service sector of the United States economy. This is the second consecutive year ABF^® has been recognized in this select group, placing among the top 10 in both years.

“We are pleased to be recognized by Selling Power as a company that provides an environment where our sales force can succeed,” commented ABF President and CEO Bob Davidson. “Our investment in recruiting, training and equipping our employees has given ABF a competitive edge, allowing us to provide superior customer care. ABF’s sales professionals provide the critical link with our customers, consulting and collaborating to develop customized transportation solutions. At every level of our company, ABF’s employees are empowered to make decisions and respond to each customer’s unique requirements.”

ABF’s performance across a wide range of criteria has been consistently recognized as best-in-class. Selling Power magazine previously ranked ABF’s sales organization number one among all “freight and delivery” companies. The company’s Web site, www.abf.com, has been placed among the best 50 of all sites by CIO magazine and the top 10 Web sites by BtoB magazine and was recently recognized in InfoWorld magazine’s annual listing of the top 100 projects using information technology to creatively achieve business goals. Last month, ABF was awarded the President’s Trophy for safety by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for an unprecedented fifth time. 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.

This year’s Selling Power survey ranked U.S. companies with sales forces of 500 or more sales representatives in three categories – compensation, training and career mobility. Top sales executives, training managers and human resources managers were surveyed to determine rankings. Evaluation of compensation involved average starting salaries, incentive pay plans and other benefit packages. Criteria for training included time invested in product knowledge, selling skills and follow-up instruction. Career mobility was judged upon number of performance reviews, turnover in the sales force and the number of people promoted each year from the sales ranks. Companies were classified in two general industry groups – manufacturing and service. Overall scores were compiled and the top 25 of each group were named to the 50 best companies to sell for list. The complete article can be reviewed at www.sellingpower.com/top50/.

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. 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