-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LgR8rWJ2BVF7NlABdDYlDPhtbh6OuTaoVlfkok3c0k3eC3OS/AwqdtMVPSz7A9VW 5hz1L62YNuajChWxEWAVaQ== 0001193125-08-028378.txt : 20080213 0001193125-08-028378.hdr.sgml : 20080213 20080213065956 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-08-028378 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13G PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080213 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080213 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ARKANSAS BEST CORP /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000894405 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213] IRS NUMBER: 710673405 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-42473 FILM NUMBER: 08600853 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3801 OLD GREENWOOD RD CITY: FORT SMITH STATE: AR ZIP: 72903 BUSINESS PHONE: 5017856000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P O BOX 48 CITY: FORT SMITH STATE: AR ZIP: 72902 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ARTISAN PARTNERS LTD PARTNERSHIP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001010643 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 875 EAST WISCONSIN AVE STE 800 CITY: MILWAUKEE STATE: WI ZIP: 53202 BUSINESS PHONE: 414-390-6100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 875 EAST WISCONSIN AVE STE 800 CITY: MILWAUKEE STATE: WI ZIP: 53202 SC 13G 1 dsc13g.txt ARKANSAS BEST CORP. SCHEDULE 13G (Rule 13d-102) Information to be Included in Statements Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), (c) and (d) and Amendments Thereto Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-2. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. __)* Arkansas Best Corporation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Issuer) Common Stock - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Title of Class of Securities) 040790107 ----------------------------- (CUSIP Number) December 31, 2007 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement) Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: [X] Rule 13d-1(b) [ ] Rule 13d-1(c) [ ] Rule 13d-1(d) * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). CUSIP No. 040790107 13G - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Artisan Partners Limited Partnership - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see Instructions) (a) [ ] (b) [ ] Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 SOLE VOTING POWER None NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH 1,843,100 REPORTING ----------------------------------------------------------------- PERSON 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH None ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see Instructions) Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 8.2% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see Instructions) IA - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2 of 14 CUSIP No. 040790107 13G - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Artisan Investment Corporation - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see Instructions) (a) [ ] (b) [ ] Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Wisconsin - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 SOLE VOTING POWER None NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH 1,843,100 REPORTING ----------------------------------------------------------------- PERSON 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH None ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see Instructions) Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 8.2% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see Instructions) CO - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 3 of 14 CUSIP No. 040790107 13G - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON ZFIC, Inc. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see Instructions) (a) [ ] (b) [ ] Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Wisconsin - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 SOLE VOTING POWER None NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH 1,843,100 REPORTING ----------------------------------------------------------------- PERSON 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH None ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see Instructions) Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 8.2% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see Instructions) CO - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 4 of 14 CUSIP No. 040790107 13G - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Andrew A. Ziegler - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see Instructions) (a) [ ] (b) [ ] Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION U.S.A. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 SOLE VOTING POWER None NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH 1,843,100 REPORTING ----------------------------------------------------------------- PERSON 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH None ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see Instructions) Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 8.2% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see Instructions) IN - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 5 of 14 CUSIP No. 040790107 13G - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Carlene M. Ziegler - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see Instructions) (a) [ ] (b) [ ] Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION U.S.A. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 SOLE VOTING POWER None NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH 1,843,100 REPORTING ----------------------------------------------------------------- PERSON 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH None ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,062,500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see Instructions) Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 8.2% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see Instructions) IN - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 6 of 14 Item 1(a) Name of Issuer: Arkansas Best Corporation Item 1(b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices: 3801 Old Greenwood Road Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 Item 2(a) Name of Person Filing: Artisan Partners Limited Partnership ("Artisan Partners") Artisan Investment Corporation, the general partner of Artisan Partners ("Artisan Corp.") ZFIC, Inc., the sole stockholder of Artisan Corp. ("ZFIC") Andrew A. Ziegler Carlene M. Ziegler Item 2(b) Address of Principal Business Office: Artisan Partners, Artisan Corp., ZFIC, Mr. Ziegler and Ms. Ziegler are all located at: 875 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Item 2(c) Citizenship: Artisan Partners is a Delaware limited partnership Artisan Corp. is a Wisconsin corporation ZFIC is a Wisconsin corporation Mr. Ziegler and Ms. Ziegler are U.S. citizens Item 2(d) Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock Item 2(e) CUSIP Number: 040790107 Item 3 Type of Person: (e) Artisan Partners is an investment adviser registered under section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; Artisan Corp. is the general partner of Artisan Partners; ZFIC is the sole stockholder of Artisan Corp.; Mr. Ziegler and Ms. Ziegler are the principal stockholders of ZFIC. Page 7 of 14 Item 4 Ownership (at December 31, 2007): (a) Amount owned "beneficially" within the meaning of rule 13d-3: 2,062,500 (b) Percent of class: 8.2% (based on 25,172,583 shares outstanding as of October 31, 2007) (c) Number of shares as to which such person has: (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: None (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 1,843,100 (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: None (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct disposition of: 2,062,500 Item 5 Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class: Not Applicable. Item 6 Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person: The shares reported herein have been acquired on behalf of discretionary clients of Artisan Partners. Persons other than Artisan Partners are entitled to receive all dividends from, and proceeds from the sale of, those shares. None of those persons, to the knowledge of Artisan Partners, Artisan Corp., ZFIC, Mr. Ziegler or Ms. Ziegler, has an economic interest in more than 5% of the class. Item 7 Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person: Not Applicable Item 8 Identification and Classification of Members of the Group: Not Applicable Item 9 Notice of Dissolution of Group: Not Applicable Item 10 Certification: By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect. Page 8 of 14 Signature After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Date: February 13, 2008 ARTISAN INVESTMENT CORPORATION, for itself and as the general partner of ARTISAN PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP By: Janet D. Olsen* ----------------------------------- ZFIC, INC. By: Janet D. Olsen* ------------------------------------- ANDREW A. ZIEGLER Andrew A. Ziegler* ------------------------------------------ CARLENE M. ZIEGLER Carlene M. Ziegler* -------------------------------------- *By: /s/ Janet D. Olsen ----------------------------------- Janet D. Olsen Vice President of Artisan Investment Corporation Attorney-in-Fact for ZFIC, Inc. Attorney-in-Fact for Andrew A. Ziegler Attorney-in-Fact for Carlene M. Ziegler Page 9 of 14 Exhibit Index Exhibit 1 Joint Filing Agreement dated February 13, 2008 by and among Artisan Partners Limited Partnership, Artisan Investment Corporation, ZFIC, Inc., Andrew A. Ziegler and Carlene M. Ziegler Exhibit 2 Power of Attorney of ZFIC, Inc., dated March 19, 2007 Exhibit 3 Power of Attorney of Andrew A. Ziegler dated March 19, 2007 Exhibit 4 Power of Attorney of Carlene M. Ziegler dated March 19, 2007 Page 10 of 14 EXHIBIT 1 JOINT FILING AGREEMENT The undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing of the Schedule 13G to which this Agreement is attached. Dated: February 13, 2008 ARTISAN INVESTMENT CORPORATION, for itself and as the general partner of ARTISAN PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP By: Janet D. Olsen* ----------------------------------- ZFIC, INC. By: Janet D. Olsen* ------------------------------------- ANDREW A. ZIEGLER Andrew A. Ziegler* -------------------------------------- CARLENE M. ZIEGLER Carlene M. Ziegler* -------------------------------------- *By: /s/ Janet D. Olsen ----------------------------------- Janet D. Olsen Vice President of Artisan Investment Corporation Attorney-in-Fact for ZFIC, Inc. Attorney-in-Fact for Andrew A. Ziegler Attorney-in-Fact for Carlene M. Ziegler Page 11 of 14 EXHIBIT 2 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, ZFIC, Inc., hereby appoints Lawrence A. Totsky, Janet D. Olsen, and Sarah A. Johnson, and each of them individually, its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power to execute and file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority, for and on its behalf in any and all capacities, any and all reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder, including but not limited to reports on Schedule 13D or 13G, any and all amendments to such reports, with all exhibits, and any other forms or documents as may be necessary in connection with the filing of such reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority, granting unto said attorney full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete, as fully as the undersigned might or could do in person. This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact and agents. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed this 19th day of March, 2007. ZFIC, INC. By: /s/ Andrew A. Ziegler ------------------------------------- Andrew A. Ziegler Vice President STATE OF WISCONSIN ) ) SS. COUNTY OF MILWAUKEE ) I, Timothy K. Weston, a Notary Public in and for the County of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that Andrew A. Ziegler, who is personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that he signed and delivered the said instrument as his own free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set forth. Given under my hand and notarial seal, this 19th day of March, 2007. /s/ Timothy K. Weston -------------------------------------- Notary Public Page 12 of 14 EXHIBIT 3 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, Andrew A. Ziegler, hereby appoints Lawrence A. Totsky, Janet D. Olsen, and Sarah A. Johnson, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power to execute and file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority, for and on his behalf in any and all capacities, any and all reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder, including but not limited to reports on Schedule 13D or 13G, any and all amendments to such reports, with all exhibits, and any other forms or documents as may be necessary in connection with the filing of such reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority, granting unto said attorney full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete, as fully as the undersigned might or could do in person. This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact and agents. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed this 19th day of March, 2007. /s/ Andrew A. Ziegler -------------------------------------- Andrew A. Ziegler STATE OF WISCONSIN ) ) SS. COUNTY OF MILWAUKEE ) I, Timothy K. Weston, a Notary Public in and for the County of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that Andrew A. Ziegler, who is personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that he signed and delivered the said instrument as his own free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set forth. Given under my hand and notarial seal, this 19th day of March, 2007. /s/ Timothy K. Weston -------------------------------------- Notary Public Page 13 of 14 EXHIBIT 4 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, Carlene M. Ziegler, hereby appoints Lawrence A. Totsky, Janet D. Olsen, and Sarah A. Johnson, and each of them individually, her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power to execute and file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority, for and on her behalf in any and all capacities, any and all reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder, including but not limited to reports on Schedule 13D or 13G, any and all amendments to such reports, with all exhibits, and any other forms or documents as may be necessary in connection with the filing of such reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority, granting unto said attorney full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete, as fully as the undersigned might or could do in person. This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact and agents. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed this 19th day of March, 2007. /s/ Carlene M. Ziegler -------------------------------------- Carlene M. Ziegler STATE OF WISCONSIN ) ) SS. COUNTY OF MILWAUKEE ) I, Timothy K. Weston, a Notary Public in and for the County of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that Carlene M. Ziegler, who is personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that she signed and delivered the said instrument as her own free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set forth. Given under my hand and notarial seal, this 19th day of March, 2007. /s/ Timothy K. Weston -------------------------------------- Notary Public Page 14 of 14 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----