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                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE





            ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION PROPOSES A MERGER IN WHICH THE
        PUBLICLY-HELD SHARES OF TREADCO, INC. WOULD BE ACQUIRED AT $9.00
                               PER SHARE IN CASH

                              (NASDAQ/NMS: "TRED")



         (Fort Smith, Arkansas, January 22, 1999) -- Arkansas Best Corporation
(ABFS) and Treadco, Inc. (TRED) announced today that Arkansas Best has submitted
a formal proposal to Treadco's Board of Directors in which the outstanding
shares of Treadco's common stock not owned by Arkansas Best would be acquired
for $9.00 per share in cash. The proposal has the support of Shapiro Capital
Management Company, Inc., Treadco's largest independent stockholder, which
beneficially owns 1,132,775 shares (or approximately 22%) of the common stock of
Treadco. Arkansas Best currently owns approximately 49% of Treadco.

         Treadco will form a special committee of independent directors to
consider Arkansas Best's proposal. The proposal to acquire the remaining
outstanding shares of Treadco is subject to the approval of Treadco's special
committee and the negotiation of a definitive agreement, which will include
customary conditions to closing.

         The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that are
based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from current expectations
due to a number of factors, including general economic conditions; competitive
initiatives and pricing pressures; union relations; availability and cost of
capital; shifts in market demand; weather conditions; the performance and needs
of industries served by Arkansas Best's and Treadco's businesses; actual future
costs of operating expenses such as fuel and related taxes; self-insurance
claims and employee wages and benefits; actual costs of continuing investments
in technology; and the timing and amount of capital expenditures.

                                 END OF RELEASE



Contact:  Mr. Randall Loyd, Controller

Phone:  (501) 788-6463