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straight trucks and yard tractors and all from managing the import of their time,” said Slagle.
that attendant equipment,” Slagle said. goods from overseas markets through The fact that Slagle, like so many
He thinks the lines between types our ocean carriage company, providing of his predecessors, has spent so many
of freight, or the differences between an warehousing and distribution services, years with a single employer has also
LTL and a truckload carrier are becom- long-haul and regional freight transpor- been a source of wonder among some of
ing blurred. “If you look around in any tation, expedited and premium logis- the younger folks he’s met.
consumer store, those items arrived by tics, final-mile delivery and set up, and “My oldest son is in the IT busi-
truck and many of them by an LTL car- truckload services.” ness and there was a period earlier in
rier. We handle electronics, clothing, Perhaps the most critical or seg- his career where he worked with a con-
industrial machinery, sporting goods, ment that requires the most attention sultant, and was assigned to a dozen
clothing, building materials, etc. is the expedited freight. “The expe- different jobs and made a lot of profes-
“Customers are constantly evaluat- dited, premium services, often with a sional acquaintances,” he said. “I was
ing their supply chain and transporta- money-back guarantee require the clos- at his house for a July 4 gathering one
tion practices in an effort to optimize est attention,” he observed. “These are day, out on the deck, and his work col-
cost and efficiency. Many customers often mission critical shipments and leagues were talking about having eight
take advantage of spot market rates the certainty of an on-time, expedited or 13 jobs in five years. My son pointed
on large shipments and carriers man- delivery is the greatest value we pro- to me and said, ‘My dad’s experience
age lane balance through this venue. vide.” has been very different, he’s been with
Today’s LTL may be tomorrow’s truck- the same company 25 years.’ And one
load or vice-versa.” a UNIqUe coRpoRaTe cUlTURe. of my son’s colleagues just looked at me
Slagle is excited at the company’s Above all else, Slagle says ABF’s and said, ‘In all that time you couldn’t
diversification and ability to handle just secret is in developing its’ people. find another job?’”
about every shipping need out there. “At ABF, everything we do is a Slagle chuckles at the memory, but
“The Arkansas Best corporate family team effort and we’ve been blessed to also says it points out one of the great
enables us to offer customers solutions have tremendous people who’ve cho- advantages of “We’ve been very blessed
to their entire supply chain needs, sen to be with our organization a long 

GEt somEonE

on your sidE

A Legal Defense plan
Designed by and for truckers.

Jim C. Klepper, Esq.
800-417-3552 ®
www.driverslegalplan.com

Drivers Legal Plan

arkansas Trucking reporT | issue 3 2013 27