(FORT SMITH, Ark., November 13, 2009) — ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, has been named among the top two U.S. companies to sell for in the service sector by Selling Power magazine, whose annual listing includes ABF^® for the eighth consecutive year. Always among the top 10, ABF ranks second for the second consecutive year and is again the highest ranked transportation company.
 
“During this challenging economy, ABF has steadfastly maintained its commitment to quality service by empowering employees to help customers overcome supply chain problems. Our sales force plays an essential role in this effort, so it is gratifying to be cited as one of the best once again by Selling Power magazine,” said ABF Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roy Slagle. “ABF transportation professionals are trained to anticipate supply-chain challenges and confront them with value-added solutions. Consequently, ABF is also among the best companies to do business with.” 

The corporate research team at Selling Power annually identifies and ranks the best companies to sell for in the U.S., focusing on companies with sales forces of 500 or more. Assessments are based on compensation, training and career mobility. Selling Power ranks the top 25 manufacturing companies and the top 25 service companies to complete its annual list of the 50 best companies to sell for.

Established in 1923, ABF^® is best-in-class for safety, security, technology and freight-handling. InformationWeek, CIO, InfoWorld, and BtoB magazines have cited ABF’s strategic use of information technology as exemplary. ABF is the only five-time winner of the American Trucking Associations President’s Trophy for Safety, the only five-time winner of the Excellence in Security Award, and the only four-time winner of the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award. ABF also is the only carrier to earn both the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award and the Excellence in Security Award in the same year, which ABF accomplished twice.

ABF provides guaranteed service for expedited or time-definite shipments via its TimeKeeper^® service. Regional shipments are handled via the carrier’s RPM^® Network, providing next-day and second-day shipping. The ABF system stretches throughout North America, with local service centers serving all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries.

ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS).

Source: ABF Freight System, Inc.

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

Websites: abf.com
              TimeKeeper.com 
              FreightValue.com 
              upack.com