NOTE J — OPERATING SEGMENT DATA

The Company uses the “management approach” to determine its reportable operating segments, as well as to determine the basis of reporting the operating segment information. The management approach focuses on financial information that the Company’s management uses to make operating decisions. Management uses revenues, operating expense categories, operating ratios, operating income, and key operating statistics to evaluate performance and allocate resources to the Company’s operations.

The Company’s reportable operating segments are impacted by seasonal fluctuations, as described below, and as a result, operating results for the interim periods presented may not necessarily be indicative of the results for the fiscal year.

The Company’s reportable operating segments are as follows:

Freight Transportation (ABF Freight), the Company’s principal operating segment, includes the results of operations of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries of the Company. The operations of ABF Freight include, national, inter-regional, and regional transportation of general commodities through standard, expedited, and guaranteed LTL services. Freight transportation related to consumer household goods self-move services provided by ABF Freight are also reported in the ABF Freight segment.

ABF Freight is impacted by seasonal fluctuations which affect tonnage and shipment levels and, consequently, revenues and operating results. The second and third calendar quarters of each year usually have the highest tonnage levels while the first quarter generally has the lowest, although other factors, including the state of the U.S. and global economies, may influence quarterly tonnage levels. ABF Freight’s first quarter 2014 operating results were adversely impacted by severe winter weather in comparison to the same prior-year period.

The Premium Logistics (Panther) segment, which was formerly named Premium Logistics and Expedited Freight Services, provides expedited freight transportation services to commercial and government customers and offers premium logistics services that involve the rapid deployment of highly specialized equipment to meet extremely specific linehaul requirements, such as temperature control, hazardous materials, geofencing (routing a shipment across a mandatory, defined route with satellite monitoring and automated alerts concerning any deviation from the route), specialized government cargo, security services, and life sciences. Through its premium logistics and global freight forwarding businesses, Panther offers domestic and international freight transportation with air, ocean, and ground service offerings. The segment provides services to the ABF Freight and ABF Logistics segments. Revenue and expense associated with these intersegment transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Operations of the Panther segment are influenced by seasonal fluctuations that impact customers’ supply chains and the resulting demand for expedited services. Expedited shipments may decline during winter months because of post-holiday slowdowns but can be subject to short-term increases, depending on the impact of weather disruptions to customers’ supply chains. Plant shutdowns during summer months may affect shipments for automotive and manufacturing customers, but hurricanes and other weather events can result in higher demand for expedited services.

Emergency & Preventative Maintenance (FleetNet) includes the results of operations of FleetNet America, Inc., the subsidiary of the Company that provides roadside assistance and equipment services for commercial vehicles through a network of third-party service providers. For 2014, since the acquisition date, FleetNet includes the results of the privately-owned business acquired on April 30, 2014 (see Note A). FleetNet provides services to the ABF Freight and Panther segments. Revenue and expense associated with these intersegment transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Emergency roadside services are favorably impacted by severe weather conditions that affect commercial vehicle operations, and the segment’s results of operations will be influenced by seasonal variations in service event volume.

Transportation Management (ABF Logistics), which was formerly named Domestic & Global Transportation Management, includes the results of operations of the Company’s businesses which provide freight brokerage and intermodal transportation services, worldwide ocean shipping solutions, and transportation and warehouse management services.

The industries and markets served by ABF Logistics are impacted by seasonal fluctuations which affect tonnage and shipment levels and, consequently, revenues and operating results of the segment. The second and third calendar quarters of each year usually have the highest business levels while the first quarter generally has the lowest, although other factors, including the state of the U.S. and global economies, may influence quarterly tonnage levels. However, seasonal fluctuations are less apparent in the operating results of ABF Logistics than in the industry as a whole because of business growth in the segment.

Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving) includes the results of operations of the Company’s subsidiaries that provide transportation, warehousing, and delivery services to the consumer, corporate, and military household goods moving markets. For 2014 and since the acquisition date for 2013, ABF Moving includes the results of the privately-owned business acquired on May 31, 2013 (see Note A). Certain costs incurred by ABF Moving in support of consumer self-move services provided by ABF Freight are allocated to the ABF Freight segment at cost. Revenue and expense associated with these intersegment allocations are eliminated in consolidation.

Operations of ABF Moving are impacted by seasonal fluctuations, resulting in higher business levels in the second and third calendar quarters of the year as the demand for moving services is typically higher in the summer months.

The Company’s other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable include ArcBest Corporation and other subsidiaries. Certain costs incurred by the parent holding company are allocated to the reporting segments. The Company eliminates intercompany transactions in consolidation. However, the information used by the Company’s management with respect to its reportable segments is before intersegment eliminations of revenues and expenses.

Further classifications of operations or revenues by geographic location are impracticable and, therefore, are not provided. The Company’s foreign operations are not significant.

The following table reflects reportable operating segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30						September 30
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(in thousands)
REVENUES
Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)	$	523,351		$	471,031		$	1,445,079		$	1,325,062
Premium Logistics (Panther)	82,784			65,851			236,435			179,533
Emergency & Preventative Maintenance (FleetNet)	40,117			37,047			120,123			102,504
Transportation Management (ABF Logistics)	40,672			28,669			105,882			74,554
Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving)	35,338			30,530			72,943			65,358
Other and eliminations	(10,967		)	(9,714		)	(32,617		)	(26,012		)
Total consolidated revenues	$	711,295		$	623,414		$	1,947,845		$	1,720,999

OPERATING EXPENSES
Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)
Salaries, wages, and benefits	$	294,826		$	276,683		$	835,354		$	816,502
Fuel, supplies, and expenses	91,406			84,714			275,473			250,486
Operating taxes and licenses	11,262			10,864			34,525			32,793
Insurance	6,498			6,858			17,859			17,410
Communications and utilities	3,768			3,724			11,741			11,535
Depreciation and amortization	17,746			17,621			50,925			56,162
Rents and purchased transportation	69,985			50,507			172,954			133,236
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(333		)	(93		)	(576		)	(487		)
Pension settlement expense	627			1,612			4,224			1,612
Other	2,829			1,325			7,211			5,649
Total Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)	498,614			453,815			1,409,690			1,324,898

Premium Logistics (Panther)
Purchased transportation	61,298			50,220			176,057			137,489
Depreciation and amortization(1)	2,891			2,665			8,465			7,809
Salaries, benefits, insurance, and other	14,476			9,864			40,072			30,490
Total Premium Logistics (Panther)	78,665			62,749			224,594			175,788

Emergency & Preventative Maintenance (FleetNet)	39,378			36,202			117,283			100,137
Transportation Management (ABF Logistics)	39,612			28,128			103,433			72,990
Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving)	32,029			28,695			69,852			62,806
Other and eliminations	(9,944		)	(6,677		)	(28,197		)	(21,188		)
Total consolidated operating expenses	$	678,354		$	602,912		$	1,896,655		$	1,715,431

OPERATING INCOME
Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)	$	24,737		$	17,216		$	35,389		$	164
Premium Logistics (Panther)	4,119			3,102			11,841			3,745
Emergency & Preventative Maintenance (FleetNet)	739			845			2,840			2,367
Transportation Management (ABF Logistics)	1,060			541			2,449			1,564
Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving)	3,309			1,835			3,091			2,552
Other and eliminations	(1,023		)	(3,037		)	(4,420		)	(4,824		)
Total consolidated operating income	$	32,941		$	20,502		$	51,190		$	5,568

OTHER INCOME (COSTS)
Interest and dividend income	$	215		$	167		$	600		$	499
Interest and other related financing costs	(834		)	(993		)	(2,367		)	(3,279		)
Other, net(2)	234			1,328			1,549			2,778
Total other income (costs)	(385		)	502			(218		)	(2		)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	$	32,556		$	21,004		$	50,972		$	5,566

(1)

Depreciation and amortization consists primarily of amortization of intangibles, including customer relationships and software.

(2)

Includes changes in cash surrender value and proceeds of life insurance policies.