ABF Freight Service Centers Recognized with President’s Quality Awards

ABF Freight^SM Service Centers Recognized with President’s Quality Awards

Media Contact: Russ Aikman
Title: Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 479-785-8913
Email: raikman@freight.abf.com

• Four Centers known as the “Best of the Best”
• Each facility earns a President’s Quality Award trophy

Fort Smith, Arkansas - May 12, 2014 Four ABF Freight^SM service centers are being recognized with the prestigious President’s Quality Award from ABF Freight President and CEO Roy Slagle. The centers being acknowledged are located in St. Joseph, Missouri; Vancouver, British Columbia; Akron, Ohio and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The award recognizes service centers most exemplifying the ABF Freight Quality Process, which are considered the “Best of the Best.”

“The use of the five-step problem elimination process and the use of focus groups to tackle problems are deeply ingrained in our culture and have served us well for 30 years,” said Slagle. “This approach to quality enhances the value of the services we offer the marketplace and heightens customers’ perceptions of ABF Freight and our people. The conscientious dockworkers, truck drivers, shop staffs, account managers, supervision and office staffs at these four service centers are setting the pace by their relentless pursuit of quality. I'm looking forward to my visit with each one in celebration of their achievement.”

Each facility is presented with a prestigious President’s Quality Award trophy and earns a listing at the General Office. The award ceremonies are attended by the ABF Freight Quality Implementation Committee, local employees and special guests.

All ABF Freight service centers annually undergo extensive evaluations, including a nomination process, a quality awareness survey, an on-site validation audit, and scrutiny by the ABF Freight Quality Implementation Committee. The comprehensive process gauges resource management, damage/loss prevention, customer satisfaction and other key performance indicators for the previous year. The ABF Freight Quality Process uses a variety of tools, including a five-step problem elimination process: 1) define the problem; 2) fix the problem; 3) identify the root cause; 4) take corrective action; 5) evaluate and follow up. Education through quality seminars, job-skills training, focus groups and designated quality teams have ensured that quality at ABF Freight is a process, not merely a program. Based on principles articulated by the late Philip Crosby, the process emphasizes ongoing prevention rather than end-of-line inspection. Identifying and eliminating the causes of problems improves service and requires no additional expenditure.

About ABF Freight

With over 90 years of service, ABF Freight System Inc.^® enhances supply chain efficiencies and achieves optimum performance by focusing on specific customer needs and customizing innovative solutions. ABF Freight^SM has a strong focus on quality, demonstrated with year-over-year improvements in its claim ratio for 17 consecutive years. Our resource-rich infrastructure includes an innovative network for regional and national transportation. Our portfolio of services includes expedited and time-critical shipping, white glove pickup and final delivery options, superior trade show expertise and outstanding personal service with a single point of contact, state-of-the-art technology and total end-to-end shipment visibility.

About ArcBest

ArcBest Corporation^SM (Nasdaq: ARCB) solves complex logistics and transportation challenges. Our companies and brands – ABF Freight^SM, ABF Logistics^SM, Panther Premium Logistics^SM, FleetNet America^®, U-Pack^® and ArcBest Technologies – apply the skill and the will with every shipment and supply chain solution, household move or vehicle repair. ArcBest finds a way. For more information, visit arcb.com, abf.com, pantherpremium.com, fleetnetamerica.com and upack.com. ArcBest Corporation^SM. The Skill & The Will^SM.