FORT SMITH, Ark., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ABF Freight System, Inc.(R), driver Anthony (Tony) Spero was named national champion in the flatbed class during the 69th National Truck Driving Championships. Conducted August 15-19, 2006, in New Orleans by the American Trucking Associations, the national competition highlights the driving skills, industry knowledge and work ethic of professional truck drivers, along with their contribution to the safety of America's highways.
Spero, a city driver at the ABF(R) Stratford, Conn., service center, qualified for this national competition earlier this year by winning Connecticut's state championship in the flatbed class. Spero has 16 years of accident-free driving with ABF and has been a member of the ABF Road Team in 2001, 2003 and 2006. He was one of 15 drivers representing ABF in the national competition. Mr. Spero's sons Anthony and Bruce were in New Orleans to see their dad win this latest honor.
"Tony Spero represents the drive and dedication of all of our outstanding employees. Their productive, conscientious work brings unmatched value to the supply chains of ABF customers," said Jim McFarlin, ABF safety and security director. "Tony deserves this honor in recognition of his professional skills and outstanding safety record. We are proud of the way he represents ABF and the trucking industry."
The National Truck Driving Championships marked the start of the eleventh annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. ABF is currently celebrating Appreciation Week with its annual "Appreciate Your Trucker... ABF Does" campaign. This campaign not only recognizes the truck drivers of ABF, but also acknowledges the contribution of each employee within the company.
Established in 1923, ABF is one of North America's oldest and most reputable motor carriers. Recognized as best-in-class for safety, security, technology and freight-handling standards, ABF has a distinguished record of service. In four of the past five years, ABF has earned either the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award, the Excellence in Security Award, or both from the American Trucking Associations Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council. ABF is the only five-time winner of the ATA President's Trophy for Safety and the only carrier to earn both the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award and the Excellence in Security Award in the same year. ABF also was recognized by CIO magazine for innovative excellence in information technology, earning the 2005 CIO Enterprise Value Award for the transportation industry as well as a spot on the CIO Top 100 Companies list in both 2005 and 2004.
ABF operates an extensive network of customer service centers and distribution facilities strategically located throughout North America. Through this network, ABF provides comprehensive shipping services to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries. ABF is certified as an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) carrier by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) carrier to and from Canada. Via its TimeKeeper(R) service, ABF provides guaranteed service for expedited or time-definite shipments.
ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation .
Contact: Mr. Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations
Telephone: (479) 785-8803
