UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
March 20, 2003 (March 19, 2003)
ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-19969 71-0673405
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(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation or
organization)
3801 Old Greenwood Road
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903
(479) 785-6000
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(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
the registrant's principal executive offices)
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On March 19, 2003, Arkansas Best Corporation issued a press release announcing
that it has notified The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company of its intention to sell
its interest in Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems, LLC and that it will take a
first quarter 2003 charge for the fair value of its interest rate swap. A copy
of the press release is attached as an exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K.
ITEM 7. EXHIBITS.
99.1 Press release of Arkansas Best Corporation dated March 19, 2003.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
(Registrant)
Date: March 20, 2003 /s/ David E. Loeffler
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David E. Loeffler,
Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<Table>
<Caption>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
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99.1 Press release of Arkansas Best Corporation dated March 19, 2003
</Table>