In 1977, new ABF Freight trailers included graphics along the sides and rear doors that emphasized its long-running ad campaign, “Appreciate Your Traffic Manager.”
White Advertising Company of Shelby, Indiana, prepared the five-piece set adhesives to apply to 85 new ABF Freight trailers before they went on the road.
In 1969, ABF Freight (then known as Arkansas-Best Freight System) introduced a new advertising campaign: “Appreciate Your Traffic Manager (ABF Does).”
The ads appeared in publications such as Fortune, Business Week, Traffic World and Traffic Management. They also appeared in employee publications and memos.
The campaign proved popular, as the advertisement pictured shows.
If you need to move goods into Canada, you know that a prolonged clearance process might result in missed deliveries and unhappy customers. To ensure your cargo clears customs quickly and efficiently, you’ll want to hire a carrier that has the proper certifications and licenses. Several programs are in place to expedite border clearance, but the biggest advantages come from the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.
In December 1970, ABF Freight® (then known as Arkansas-Best Freight System) announced to its employees the purchase of new cargo heaters for linehaul use. The Customer Service department added 140 new cargo heaters to the system.
In the photo, ABF Freight Regional Sales Director Walter Willard (standing), Customer Service Director Bruce Whittaker (kneeling left) and Operations Assistant Vice President Gordon Watson examine the new cargo heaters.
The propane-fired units replaced old charcoal salamander heaters that had been used for several years.
Each year, professional drivers for ArcBest carrier ABF Freight take part in the National Truck Driving Championships.
In 1999, ABF Freight drivers competing included Allen Sheppard, Tony Spero, Bill Ellis, Frank Motherhead, Bob Suck, John Cinealis and Bob Westbrook. The event was held in Tampa, Florida.
You’ve had multiple out-of-state sales this week and customers are requesting home delivery — something you don’t normally do. Everything is wrapped, boxed and ready to go, but what’s the best way to get the products to your customers? Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is designed for freight that weighs between 150 and 20,000 pounds and isn’t large enough to require a full semi-trailer.
In October 1963, ABF Freight (then known as Arkansas-Best Freight System) was one of 22 trucking companies awarded for providing free transportation to Aiding Leukemia Stricken American Children (ALSAC).
Comedian and actor Danny Thomas hosted a “Breakfast with Danny Thomas” at the Morrison Hotel in Chicago to thank trucking executives for their efforts. Bill Farnsworth, ABF Freight service center manager in Chicago, received the award on behalf of ABF Freight.
In the photo, Farnsworth is on the front row, second from the left; Thomas is fourth from the right.
From raw material headed to a production plant to a finished product on its way to a customer, every item your business ships is somehow tied to revenue. And because each shipment has the potential to impact profits, it’s important to find ways to manage transportation costs while still ensuring your freight arrives damage-free. Utilizing proper packaging can accomplish both goals — especially in the less-than-truckload (LTL) environment.
In March 1961, Robert A. Young Jr. testified before the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Young was president of ABF Freight (then known as Arkansas-Best Freight System), having bought the company in 1951. His testimony focused on a tax program proposed by President Kennedy.
Young and others in the trucking industry opposed the proposal, which increased federal taxes on diesel fuel, truck licenses, tires and retread rubber.
Due to changes in freight profile (like bulkier items) and other less-than-truckload (LTL) trends, it’s more important than ever for ArcBest® customers to provide accurate details about their shipments when getting a quote. While weight and freight class are still necessary pieces of information, cubic footage is now an additional pricing factor. Use the steps below to accurately measure your freight and calculate its cubic footage.