Exhibit 99.1

1901 Ulmerton Road, Suite 300
Clearwater, Florida 33762-2317
(727) 299-1200
www.ablest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thrusday, November 4, 2004 SYMBOL:     AIH
TRADED:     AMEX

ABLEST REPORTS THIRD QUARTER REVENUE AND EARNINGS GROWTH

     CLEARWATER, Fla., Nov. 4 — Ablest Inc. today announced that net income for the third fiscal quarter ended September 26, 2004, increased 68 percent to $588,000 or 21 cents per basic and 20 cents per diluted share from $350,000 or 12 cents per basic and diluted share a year earlier. Revenues for the third quarter were $29.9 million, an increase of 12.2 percent compared to revenues of $26.7 million for the similar period in 2003.

     Revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 increased 11.2 percent to $82.5 million from $74.2 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. For the nine months ended September 26, 2004, the company reported net income of $377,000 or 13 cents per basic and diluted share compared to the same period of 2003 when the company reported net income of $209,000 or seven cents per share.

     “The third quarter growth was the result of strong performances from most of our geographic regions,” said Kurt R. Moore, president and chief executive officer. “In addition, we are encouraged to see increased demand for staffing from a broad base of client companies including renewed demand from the small and mid-sized client sectors.”

     Mr. Moore added, “We see positive indicators resulting from what appears to be a sustained economic recovery. The three locations we opened earlier this year have contributed over $2.0 million to revenue this year and all are currently contributing to our operating profit.”

     Ablest Inc. provides its clients with staffing solutions, managed services and vendor-on-premise (VOP) programs. Staffing solutions include clerical, industrial and information technology personnel provided through Ablest Staffing Services and Ablest Technology Services. Ablest supplies more than 30,000 field employees and consultants to more than 3,500 businesses annually through 48 locations in the Eastern and Southwestern United States.

     Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements regarding anticipated improvement in economic conditions and trends in worker’s compensation claims, and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking” statements (as such term is defined in The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions and unforeseen events impacting new worker’s compensation claims, and those risks and uncertainties discussed in filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

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PAGE 2/ ABLEST REPORTS THIRD QUARTER REVENUE AND EARNINGS GROWTH

ABLEST INC.
Condensed Statements of Operations
(Amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

	For the Thirteen Week					For the Thirty-nine Week
	Periods Ended					Periods Ended
	September 26, 2004		September 28, 2003			September 26, 2004		September 28, 2003
Net service revenues	$	29,912	$	26,668		$	82,509	$	74,171
Cost of Services		24,838		22,111			69,182		61,777
Gross Profit		5,074		4,557			13,327		12,394
Selling, general and administrative expenses		4,127		3,999			12,722		12,074
Operating income		947		558			605		320
Other:
Interest income (expense), net		—		(9	)		2		(31	)
Miscellaneous, net		—		14			1		47
Other income		—		5			3		16
Income before income taxes		947		563			608		336
Income tax expense (benefit)		359		213			231		127
Net income	$	588	$	350		$	377	$	209
Basic net income per common share	$	0.21	$	0.12		$	0.13	$	0.07
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.20	$	0.12		$	0.13	$	0.07
Weighted average number of common shares used in computing net income per common share
Basic		2,840,350		2,858,197			2,838,915		2,862,629
Diluted		2,926,233		2,876,197			2,917,838		2,880,629

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PAGE 3/ ABLEST REPORTS THIRD QUARTER REVENUE AND EARNINGS GROWTH

ABLEST INC.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts)

	September 26, 2004			December 28, 2003
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,340		$	1,614
Accounts receivable, net		14,327			13,778
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		192			213
Current deferred tax asset		1,085			1,085
Total current assets		17,944			16,690
Property, plant and equipment, net		538			647
Deferred tax asset		3,920			3,920
Goodwill, net		1,283			1,283
Other assets		39			39
Total assets	$	23,724		$	22,579
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	330		$	326
Accrue expenses and other current liabilities		5,055			4,438
Total current liabilities		5,385			4,764
Other liabilities		80			89
Total liabilities		5,465			4,853
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock of $.05 par value; 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding at September 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003		—			—
Common stock of $.05 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized, 3,334,344 and 3,308,929 shares issued and outstanding including shares held in treasury at September 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively		167			165
Additional paid-in capital		5,172			5,018
Retained earnings		15,030			14,653
Treasury stock at cost; 457,729 shares held at September 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003		(2,110	)		(2,110	)
Total stockholders’ equity		18,259			17,726
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	23,724		$	22,579

SOURCE:	Ablest Inc.
CONTACT:	Vincent J. Lombardo, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 727-299-1200 or vlombardo@ablest.com/

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