ABF Global Supply Chain Services Expands to Include Europe and Turkey

FORT SMITH, Ark., Nov. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its strategic expansion abroad, ABF Global Supply Chain Services (ABF GSCS) is now serving Europe and Turkey with ocean transport, providing a single contact for full-container-load (FCL) and expedited less-than-container-load (LCL) supply chain solutions. Previously, ABF introduced ocean service for countries throughout Asia, including India.

ABF GSCS now operates with offices in Turkey, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Republic of Ireland and Poland. It is serving 15 ports in Europe with multiple weekly sailings to handle import and export FCL shipments. Also, it is serving over 50 container freight stations and pre-carriage points of pickup and delivery with multiple sailings per week for LCL shipments.

"Since we launched ocean services in 2006, global customers have enthusiastically embraced the seamless combination of our domestic Dual-System^® Network with top-tier NVOCC (non vessel operating common carrier) shipping. Customers are choosing ABF for reliable global shipping solutions with unparalleled control and visibility," said Jim Keenan, ABF senior vice president of sales and marketing.

"With this new expansion and our existing presence in China, India and Southeast Asia countries, ABF GSCS covers over 80 percent of the total ocean import market to the United States," added Carlos Martinez-Tomatis, ABF GSCS division vice president. "Global customers experience truly seamless service from end-to-end. Best of all, customers benefit from one customer service contact trained to assist with end-to-end documentation services, seamless visibility via abf.com, and single-source pricing and invoicing."

As the principal subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS), ABF operates as a global provider of customizable supply chain solutions. ABF enhances supply chain efficiencies and achieves optimum performance by focusing on specific logistics needs and customizing innovative solutions. The company's resource-rich infrastructure includes an innovative Dual-System^® Network for regional and national transportation. Its portfolio of logistics services extends from the manufacturer's floor to time-definite and/or white-glove final delivery. In between, customers benefit from a single point of contact and total end-to-end supply chain visibility.

Contact: Russ Aikman, director of marketing & public relations

SOURCE ABF Freight System, Inc.