It acquired East Texas Motor Freight Lines, a subsidiary of Bright Industries Inc., in 1982, a move which added 44 new terminal cities increasing ABF's reach to a total of 158, and by 1985 ABF was the sixth largest carrier in the US.
In 1982, ABF acquired East Texas Motor Freight Lines, a subsidiary of Bright Industries Inc., which significantly expanded its network by adding 44 new terminal cities, leading to ABF becoming the sixth largest carrier in the United States by 1985.