FORT SMITH, Ark., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ABF Freight System, Inc.(R), is celebrating the 13th Annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, August 24-30, 2008, with a system-wide campaign called: "ABF Employees. Standing the Test of Time. 1923-2008." The campaign highlights the integral role played by transportation industry employees in supporting the North American economy.
"This campaign recognizes the professional drivers of ABF as well as the valuable contribution of all employees," said ABF President and Chief Operating Officer Wes Kemp. "ABF people have earned a reputation as the safest, most conscientious, highly innovative members of our industry. We commend and sincerely thank our employees across North America for their contributions to the continued success of our company."
During the campaign, each ABF employee receives a special letter of appreciation and has the opportunity to win an HDTV, GPS unit, or Maglite flashlight in a special drawing in their honor. ABF service centers host special events such as cookouts and other forms of recognition. ABF also recognizes outstanding performance by its employees, particularly professional drivers, throughout the year. Ongoing ABF training and incentive programs for professional drivers are designed to help truckers maintain the highest standards of professionalism and become ambassadors for promoting safety and increasing public appreciation for the trucking industry.
The annual campaign immediately follows the National Truck Driving Championships being held in Houston, Texas. The American Trucking Associations sponsors this safe-driving event. Drivers across the ABF system competed in state driving competitions, with 19 of those drivers taking first place and earning the right to compete in this year's national championships. In fact, the ABF driving team includes five former national champions, four state grand champions and seven repeat champions from 2007.
Established in 1923, ABF(R) is best-in-class for safety, security, technology and freight-handling. InformationWeek, CIO, InfoWorld, and BtoB magazines have cited ABF's strategic use of information technology as exemplary. ABF is a five-time winner of the American Trucking Associations President's Trophy for Safety and the only four-time winner of the Excellence in Security Award. ABF is the only carrier to earn both the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award and the Excellence in Security Award in the same year, which ABF accomplished twice.
ABF provides guaranteed service for expedited or time-definite shipments via its TimeKeeper(R) service. Regional shipments are handled via the carrier's RPM(R) Network, providing next-day and second-day shipping. The ABF system stretches throughout North America, with local service centers serving all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries.
ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation . Contact: Mr. Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations Telephone: (479) 785-8803
