Robert A. Young Jr.

Robert A. Young, Jr. played a pivotal role in shaping the history of a transportation company that began in Fort Smith, Arkansas, back in 1923. In 1951, he made a significant acquisition by purchasing Arkansas Motor Freight Lines, Inc., a move that set the stage for transformative changes. By 1957, Young merged it with Best Motor Freight of Dallas, establishing Arkansas Best Freight System Inc.

Under Young’s visionary leadership, Arkansas Best embarked on a journey of expansion. In 1961, the company acquired Healzer Cartage, further broadening its footprint in the transportation industry. Additionally, it ventured into new territories with the acquisition of Navajo Freight Lines in 1979, elevating its status to the ninth-largest interstate motor freight carrier in the US.

Recognizing the company’s growing influence and diverse operations, it underwent a name change in 1980, becoming ABF Freight System Inc. As ABF prepared for the late 1990s and the dawn of the 21st century, Robert A. Young III, the son of ABF’s founding chairman, assumed the role of chief executive officer, leading the company into a new era. His vision aimed to sustain the remarkable growth that had transformed ABF from being the 48th largest trucking company into the nation’s fourth largest, solidifying its position as a prominent player in the transportation industry.