ABF Listed by Inbound Logistics as a Green 50 Supply Chain Partner

FORT SMITH, Ark., June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ABF Freight System, Inc.®, is being cited by Inbound Logistics as a "Green 50 Supply Chain Partner." The magazine's annual list of supply chain partners committed to sustainability will be published in a special "Supply Chain Sustainability" issue later this month.

"ABF has identified effective supply chain sustainability as a corporate priority, and we are pleased to see our efforts recognized by Inbound Logistics magazine," said ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Wes Kemp. "Our company is actively involved, both internally and through partnerships, in environmental innovations and practices designed to enhance environmental performance and efficiency. For example, ABF limits its trucks to a top speed of 62 mph and prohibits discretionary engine idling. As a result, each year every ABF truck emits 33.5 fewer tons of carbon dioxide than other trucks typically do. Moreover, ABF has reduced fuel consumption and enhanced the efficiency of its operation through best practices that include a strictly followed equipment maintenance/replacement program."

ABF® is also an active participant in SmartWay, a voluntary partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency and various freight industry sectors for fuel efficiency improvements and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. "ABF has been awarded the highest Shippers Index Factor rating beginning with our very first year in the program—1.25. I am most pleased that ABF's operating model was recognized with this rating, especially since there were no changes required to achieve that score," says Gary Hunt, ABF vice president, equipment and maintenance. ABF joined SmartWay in 2006. By 2012, the SmartWay initiative aims to reduce between 33 million and 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions per year.

"Our editors chose 50 companies in several categories of logistics service provider — 3PLs, truckers, ports, forklifts, etc. — that they determined are truly 'walking the walk' when it comes to commitment to supply chain sustainability. I am happy to say that ABF was chosen as one of this year's G50," said Felecia Stratton, Inbound Logistics editor.

Inbound Logistics is published by Thomas Publishing Company. "Our mission is to provide today's business logistics managers with the information they need to speed cycle times, reduce inventories, and use logistics expertise to get closer to their markets and customers. Through the use of inbound logistics techniques, readers discover and create wealth for their companies," said the publisher.

Established in 1923, ABF 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 the only five-time winner of the American Trucking Associations President's Trophy for Safety, the only five-time winner of the Excellence in Security Award, and the only four-time winner of the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award. ABF also 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® service. Regional shipments are handled via the carrier's RPM® 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 (Nasdaq: ABFS).

SOURCE ABF Freight System, Inc.