(FORT SMITH, Ark., August 15, 2005) — For the second consecutive year, ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, is among the winners of CIO magazine's annual CIO 100 awards competition. ABF^® will be honored at the CIO 100 Symposium^® and Awards Ceremony on August 23 at the Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, Calif. 

The annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT). This year's theme is the "Bold 100," which recognizes what the magazine calls "intelligent risk-taking – innovation in the use of information technology to increase your organization's ability to compete with new products and services, to heighten customer satisfaction, and to continuously adapt processes to enable innovation throughout the business."

ABF's selection is based on its use of IT to expand and enhance accessibility and usability of its shipping solutions for one-time or infrequent freight shippers – a market segment frequently ignored or overlooked by other carriers. "A growing number of consumers have an occasional need for larger-than-parcel service. When they buy or sell an item at an online auction site or when they need to send items to a friend or relative, shipping them can seem overwhelming. ABF has simplified the process for getting a competitive rate quotation for moving the freight, completing a bill of lading, scheduling the freight pickup, and tracking the shipment during transport," says ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. "ABF has leveraged and simplified the same online tools we use with repeat customers to ease the process for infrequent shippers. And, our optional TruckPack^® containers accommodate goods not packaged for commercial shipping."

At ShipABF.com, ABF created a special shipping solution that streamlines the process of arranging freight transportation. New or infrequent less-than-truckload customers are guided by a series of quick prompts for basic information. Likewise, the Shipping Charges Calculator simplifies the quote process by placing a dynamic form directly on the web page of an online retailer or eBay seller. Their customers can instantly obtain commodity-specific shipping rates without the need for phone calls or e-mails.

"ABF customers expect time and money-saving applications through Internet-based technology, and ABF consistently meets their needs by developing innovative, user-centric applications," says Davidson. "ShipABF.com and the Shipping Charges Calculator join an evolving array of applications that provides ABF customers with the industry's best suite of logistical management tools." 

Established in 1923, ABF is one of North America's oldest and most reputable motor carriers. It continues to be recognized as a benchmark for safety, security, technology and freight-handling standards. Last year, the American Trucking Associations awarded ABF the Excellence in Security Award, the 28th time the organization has recognized ABF since 1971. ABF's emphasis on quality and value was cited by Logistics Management magazine, which awarded the carrier a 2004 Quest for Quality Award. In addition to the 2005 Bold 100 Award, ABF was previously 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. 

ABF operates an extensive network of customer service centers and distribution facilities strategically located throughout North America. Through this network, ABF provides comprehensive shipping services to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries. ABF is certified as an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) carrier by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) carrier to and from Canada. 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