going to extremes

When you're in a race against time, it's nice to have someone else to coordinate things behind the scenes. For the cast and crew of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," that someone is ABF Freight System.

For each episode of the reality show, in which the home of a deserving family is transformed, the production team scrambles to complete in just seven days a comprehensive home renovation project that would ordinarily take at least four months. But as they exercise their creative powers (building a headboard adorned with guitar necks for an aspiring musician, say, or creating a room with a circus tent theme for sextuplets), the crew members can at least leave the logistical details to ABF. "Now that we're in our second season with the show, the production team knows they can count on ABF to overcome virtually any challenge," says Bob Davidson, ABF president and CEO. "We've picked up freight on the beach. We've delivered freight in the middle of the desert. We've hauled custom-built playhouses and enormous train sets. ABF even delivered special equipment that freed a paraplegic to move about his home without any help."

Along with delivering building materials, ABF provides logistical coordination of multiple moves, acting as the show's liaison. All deliveries for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" are made to a remote location nicknamed Bin City. "It's like a huge shipping and receiving department with tents, RVs and trailers," says Jennifer Boyd, the ABF marketing manager who coordinates services for the show. "Everything is delivered to Bin City; then it's sorted for just-in-time delivery to the show's location. It's a massive beehive of activity, with coordinators scrambling around with cell phones and walkie-talkies giving directions and ensuring all the schedules are met. It's really amazing what's accomplished in such a short time."