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.

The importance of shipment packaging

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.

Why cubic feet matter for LTL freight

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. 

In December 1969, employees learned about new road tractors scheduled to be delivered in 1970.

According to Harry Fink, the ABF Freight^® vice president of maintenance at the time, ABF Freight purchased 118 new Ford Model LNT 1000 tandem road tractors.

 “All will be of a short conventional design to accommodate doubles as well as 40-foot trailers, and will be equipped with NHTC 270 Cummins diesel engines,” a note to employees states. “Each tractor will be equipped with two 110-gallon fuel tanks.

When ABF Freight^® (then known as Arkansas-Best Freight System) acquired Jackson, Mississippi-based Delta Motor Line in October 1962, the purchase gave ABF Freight the authority to operate throughout the Mississippi Delta — from New Orleans and Jackson up through Memphis and into Chicago.

Delta had service centers in Mississippi, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri and Tennessee. With the acquisition, ABF Freight ranked 14^th among the nation’s truck lines.

Moving heavy loads

Oversized items such as industrial machinery and military equipment can present logistical challenges if you aren’t familiar with how to transport them. These shipments typically require special handling, optimized routing and additional permits because they may not be able to travel on all roadways due to their size and weight. Understanding what an oversize load is, what weight limitations could apply and what other requirements are needed can make the transportation process go more smoothly.

When a customer was moving across North America, she needed a mover that would get her belongings to her new home safely and on time.

This was a challenging move for the customer. The move was nearly 1,000 miles from Georgia to her new home in Ontario, Canada. She decided to use U-Pack, a service of ArcBest.

A longtime customer of ArcBest’s premium logistics solutions found its business enhanced when it also began using ArcBest℠ for its less-than-truckload needs.

In 1970, Open Road magazine featured an article about an ABF Freight^® driver who also was a recording artist.

Joe West, a Little Rock road driver, recorded songs such as “Just Me, This Old Truck and My Lord,” “The Answer to A Truck Driver’s Prayer,” “I Died in Vietnam” and “A Truck Brought It.”