ABF Expands Next-day and Second-day Service Network
(FORT SMITH, Ark., January 2, 2007) - ABF Freight System, Inc.®, has expanded its regional transportation network to include the Central and Southern United States. The move brings increased next-day and second-day service to two-thirds of the company's North American service centers.
Called the Regional Performance Model, or RPMSM, the network features enhanced flexibility and operational efficiency for short-haul freight transportation. RPM operational procedures enable ABF to operate national long-haul and regional short-haul networks in parallel, boosting the reliability of both networks.
"The enthusiastic feedback we've received confirms shippers are searching for a carrier offering reliability and convenience for all of their shipments. Customers benefit from rapid, reliable regional service in addition to the flexibility, supply chain visibility, careful cargo handling and attentive customer service they've come to expect from ABF," said ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson.
"With this expansion, we will continue to simultaneously operate regional and long-haul networks," Davidson continued. "While the separate over-the-road networks will be invisible to customers, ABF customers will benefit from common pickup, delivery, sales and customer service capabilities along with the convenience of one carrier seamlessly handling regional, inter-regional and long-haul freight."
Established 1923, ABF is recognized as 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. ABF 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 service. 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).
Contact:
Danny Loe
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Telephone: (479) 785-8803
marketing@abf.com
