Looking back at a celebratory year
2023 was a special year in ArcBest’s history — marking our 100th year of doing business. It’s rare that a business endures so long, especially in an industry where the unexpected has become almost commonplace.
Our milestone year was spent recognizing a century of innovation and celebrating our people, who are truly at the heart of our success. But the year wasn’t just about looking back. We also continued our steadfast commitment to our mission of positively impacting the world through solving logistics challenges.
How we honored our past
Our centennial celebration, “Heart of 100,” focused on our people and their contributions to making ArcBest what it is today. Across our service centers and campuses, we marked the year with events, including:
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Employee appreciation breakfasts and pop-up events across the country
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A free Fort Smith Symphony community concert at our headquarters
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Commemorative merchandise in the company store
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ArcBest Chairman, President & CEO Judy R. McReynolds and a team of executive officers rang the Nasdaq Closing Bell
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A once-in-a-lifetime 100th Anniversary Celebration in Fort Smith with remarks from Judy R. McReynolds
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Centennial giving program, which raised money for Feeding America, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund and Fisher House Foundation
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Unveiled celebratory building wraps and an updated History Wall at ArcBest headquarters
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Awarded $147k in grants to causes nominated by our service center and field employees
How we looked to the future
Here are some highlights from 2023 that set us up to help our customers find success over the next 100 years.
Introduced the Vaux Freight Movement SystemTM
The Vaux Freight Movement System is an innovative suite of hardware and software designed to streamline trailer loading and unloading, minimize freight damage and boost warehouse efficiency.
This first-of-its-kind technology earned us a spot on TIME magazine's Best Inventions of 2023 and a place on FreightTech's 25 Most Innovative Companies list. These recognitions are a testament to our unwavering commitment to listening to our customers and pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Recognized the heart behind our 100 years — our people
As we look to the century of innovation, the dedication of our people set us apart. Investing in their growth translates to dedicated, knowledgeable teams who deliver exceptional customer service daily. Creating a culture that prioritizes the employee experience emphasizes our commitment to the individuals who drive success.
In 2023, these efforts were recognized in several ways. We were proud to be recognized as America's Best-in-State Employer 2023 by Forbes and Statista, becoming a four-year champion for consistently prioritizing employee experience. This national distinction, ranking us #3 in Arkansas and the #1 Transportation and Logistics Employer in the state, is a testament to the dedication of our team to make ArcBest a leading place to work.
Empowering our team happened through award-winning training programs like those recognized by Training magazine for the 7th consecutive year with an APEX Award from Training magazine. We believe in ongoing learning, from interactive workshops to cutting-edge online platforms, empowering our employees with the skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional customer service every day.
Created an enhanced online experience
In 2023, we empowered customers to take control of their logistics experience with a newly designed website and expanded self-service options. The self-service portal lets customers book shipments in minutes, access real-time tracking information and get instant support, freeing up time for what matters most.
Continued on the journey towards a more sustainable future
We released our fourth annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, a blueprint for our commitment to a sustainable, inclusive and responsible business. Throughout the year, we made significant strides, including expanding our City Route Optimization to all locations. This technology initiative improved efficiency within city operations, reducing mileage. We also participated in the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition course which focused on measuring Scope 3 emissions.
Want to dive deeper into our last year? See the complete list of awards, press releases and news from 2023.
Thank you for a memorable year
Thank you to our valued customers, trusted partners and dedicated employees for being part of our past, celebrating with us in the present, and accelerating with us into the future. Together, we made the last century a success, and as we move into our next 100 years, we’ll continue to always find a way to get the job done.
