ABF Celebrates Teamwork During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

ABF Freight System, Inc., is celebrating the 15th Annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 19-25, 2010, with a system-wide campaign focusing on teamwork. The campaign underscores the fundamental role of transportation industry employees in supporting the North American economy.

"This campaign celebrates the hard work and dedication of all ABF employees to uphold the highest standards of integrity and performance," said Wes Kemp, ABF's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Each of ABF's employees contributes to the success of our company by working together as a team and it doesn't go unnoticed. In fact, their commitment specifically to safety, cargo handling, and customer service are particularly exemplary, strengthening the confidence customers hold for our company with each passing day."

During the campaign, each ABF employee receives a special letter of appreciation and ABF service centers host special events in celebration of the week. ABF also recognizes outstanding performance by its employees, particularly professional drivers, throughout the year. Ongoing training, orientation, and incentive programs are aimed at ABF drivers maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and becoming ambassadors for promoting safety and increasing public appreciation for the trucking industry.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) reports that the trucking industry includes 3.4 million professional truck drivers with one out of every 19 Americans employed in the industry. Trucking is a $660 billion industry, representing 83.1 percent of the nation's freight bill. "Trucks are the sole supplier to 80 percent of U.S. communities," says the ATA. "We deliver food, clothing and medical supplies - and we do it safely."