Enhancing and expanding facilities for better employee and customer experiences
ArcBest LTL carrier ABF Freight continues to make significant progress on the company’s multi-year Facility Enhancement and Growth Roadmap, prioritizing enhancing network capacity for growth and improving employee and customer experiences. Following our update in April, ABF has added 137 doors to service centers across the country, totaling 190 new dock doors this year. We also have more than 30 projects in progress.
Since implementing the ABF facility investment plan in 2021, we’ve added 624 dock doors, bringing the total to over 9,400 within our ABF less-than-truckload (LTL) service network. We’ve also completed numerous renovation, relocation and expansion projects. This progress has boosted our capacity, enhanced efficiency and improved the working environment — empowering our teams to deliver superior customer service.
“We’re dedicated to ongoing investments in growth and maintaining our status as a top-tier carrier,” said Matt Godfrey, ABF Freight president. "Our customers' evolving needs and requirements drive our commitment to adapt and prepare for their current and future needs. Based on what we’ve seen so far, we anticipate that our initiatives to construct and purchase new sites, as well as expand and update existing ones, will lead to the enhanced capacity and efficiency they need and enable excellence in customer service.”
Recently completed projects
Expansion in Bay Shore, NY
In April, we expanded our Bay Shore, NY (+5 doors) service center, adding additional capacity for improved growth opportunities and increased efficiency.
New Construction in Lithia Springs, GA
In June, our newly constructed Lithia Springs, GA, service center opened — adding 66 doors to our network. The facility takes on a significant portion of the area’s city operations, opening up more transfer capacity for our Atlanta, GA distribution center and creating a more efficient supply chain experience for our customers.
![Exterior shot of ABF’s Lithia Springs, GA service center](/sites/www/files/2024-08/Exterior%20Lithia%20Springs%20650px.jpg)
![Dock doors at ABF’s Lithia Springs, GA service center ++1+10+++8](/sites/www/files/2024-08/Lithia%20Springs%20Dock%20650px%20small.jpg)
Renovations
Renovations were completed at several service centers between April and August to provide employees with a safer, more enjoyable workspace. These locations include:
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We have completed 11 renovations in 2024, with more to be completed this year.
Relocations
We completed relocations in various cities throughout our network, providing additional capacity and improved working environments for our people. This includes a newly owned facility in New Haven, CT (+9 doors) in June; a leased facility (former Yellow location) in Allentown, PA (+9 doors) and a purchased facility (former Yellow location) in Des Moines, IA (+29 doors) in July; and a new facility in Tacoma, WA (+20 doors) in August.
![Picture of updated office at ABF’s Service Center in Des Moines, IA](/sites/www/files/2024-08/Interior%20Des%20Moines%20650px.jpg)
![Updated office space at ABF’s service center in New Haven, CT](/sites/www/files/2024-08/Interior%20New%20Haven%20650.jpg)
![Ribbon cutting at ABF’s service center in New Haven, CT](/sites/www/files/2024-08/Ribbon%20cutting%20New%20Haven%20650%20px.jpg)
Leased to purchase
In August, we also purchased facilities we were leasing in Racine, WI, and Florence, SC, securing a permanent position in these markets.
Projects in progress
We’re continuing work on several facilities, including:
Expanding South Chicago, IL (+66 doors); Manassas, VA (+14 doors); and San Bernadino, CA (+40 doors)
Renovating facilities in:
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Remodeling newly purchased service centers in Columbus, OH (+48 doors) and Fayetteville, AR (former Yellow facilities)
Renovations in permitting:
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Negotiating contracts for 13 additional service center renovations
More to come in the second half of 2024
We’re on track to complete renovations and relocations to the facilities we purchased (formerly Yellow facilities) by the end of the year. These locations will improve the efficiency and capacity of our network while giving our employees quality workspaces. In addition to the 58 doors already added in July and August, we plan to add 126 more to our network this year, totaling 184 in the second half of 2024 and over 300 for the year. More updates to come.