(FORT SMITH, Ark., November 12, 2004) — ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, has been named as one of the top two U.S. companies to sell for in the service sector by Selling Power magazine.  This is the third consecutive year ABF^® has been recognized in this select group, placing among the top 10 each year.

“ABF is extremely proud of our sales team and its ability to meet the challenges facing supply-chain managers today,” says ABF Freight System President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. “By our continued investment in recruiting, training, and equipping knowledgeable sales professionals, our customers profit from a relationship with a representative who truly understands their business needs.  Backed by more than 80 years of transportation experience, these professionals are empowered to quickly respond to each customer’s unique requirements.”

The Selling Power research team identifies and ranks the best companies to sell for in the U.S., particularly companies with sales forces of 500 or more salespeople. Assessments are based on compensation, training and career mobility. 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.

ABF’s performance has been recognized as exemplary on numerous occasions during the year. For example, the carrier earned the 2004 Excellence in Security Award from the American Trucking Association—the 28th time it has receive recognition from the organization since 1971. Its emphasis on quality and value was cited by Logistics Management magazine, which awarded ABF a 2004 Quest for Quality Award. And it was twice recognized by CIO magazine for innovative excellence in information technology, earning the 2005 CIO Enterprise Value Award for the transportation industry and a spot on the 2004 CIO Top 100 Agile Companies list.

“Ranking second in the entire service sector is beyond impressive. The ABF sales team joins other areas within ABF that have been recognized as best-in-class, including safety, security, e-commerce, freight handling, claims prevention, yield management and virtually every other part of this progressive, customer-centric organization. It’s very gratifying for everyone at ABF to see our performance recognized as a benchmark among U.S.-based companies,” added Mr. Davidson.

Established in 1923, ABF is one of North America’s oldest and most reputable 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 is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS).

Contact: Mr. Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations
Telephone: (479) 785-8803

Additional background information.