8-K

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): December 17, 2004 (December 16, 2004)

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-19969	71-0673405
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

3801 Old Greenwood Road
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903
(479) 785-6000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of the registrant’s principal executive offices)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions.

[  ]	Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Press Release

ITEM 5.02 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS

On December 16, 2004, Arkansas Best Corporation (“the Company”) issued a press release announcing that ABF Freight System, Inc. (“ABF”) President and CEO Robert A. Davidson has been named Arkansas Best Corporation’s President and Chief Operating Officer and has been named to the Company’s Board of Directors.

Following is a complete list of the positions Mr. Davidson has held as an employee of the Company:

1972	—	Analyst, Arkansas Best Corporation Economic Analysis Department
1977	—	Manager, Arkansas Best Corporation Economic Analysis Department
1979	—	Director, Arkansas Best Corporation Economic Analysis Department
1982	—	ABF Vice-President of Pricing
1997	—	ABF Vice-President of Marketing & Pricing
2003	—	ABF President and CEO
2005	—	Arkansas Best Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer and ABF President and CEO

A copy of the press release is attached as an exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 9.01 – EXHIBITS

99.1  Press release of Arkansas Best Corporation dated December 16, 2004.

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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: December 16, 2004	/s/ David E. Loeffler
	David E. Loeffler,
	Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

99.1  Press release of Arkansas Best Corporation dated December 16, 2004

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EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABF^Ò PRESIDENT AND CEO ROBERT A. DAVIDSON NAMED
ARKANSAS BEST PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
AND NAMED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     (Fort Smith, Arkansas, December 16, 2004) — Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) today announced that Robert A. Davidson has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of Arkansas Best Corporation, effective January 1, 2005. In addition, Mr. Davidson was named to the Arkansas Best Corporation Board of Directors, effective December 15, 2004. Mr. Davidson will continue his current duties as President and Chief Executive Officer of ABF Freight System, Inc., the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation. Robert A. Young III, most recently Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arkansas Best Corporation will remain as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arkansas Best Corporation.

     “Bob has been a vital part of our company for over thirty-two years,” said Robert A. Young III, Arkansas Best Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “For the last two years, Bob has done a superior job leading ABF. The combination of Bob’s guidance and this year’s significant economic upturn will result in one of the most profitable years in ABF’s history. In his added role at Arkansas Best, Bob’s vision and leadership will help maintain our corporation as one of the leading transportation companies in North America.”

     Robert A. Davidson became ABF’s President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2003. Prior to that he was ABF’s Vice President of Marketing and Pricing. He began his career with the corporation in 1972 in the Economic Analysis Department. In 1982, he became ABF’s Vice President of Pricing and subsequently added the title of Vice President of Marketing in 1997. Mr. Davidson, who is 56 years old, holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.

     Arkansas Best Corporation, headquartered in Fort Smith, AR, is a diversified transportation holding company with two primary operating subsidiaries. ABF Freight System, Inc., in continuous service since 1923, provides national transportation of less-than-truckload (“LTL”) general commodities throughout North America. Clipper is an intermodal marketing company that provides domestic freight services utilizing rail and over-the-road transportation.

Contact:	Mr. David E. Loeffler, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
	Telephone: (479) 785-6157
	Mr. David Humphrey, Director of Investor Relations
	Telephone: (479) 785-6200

END OF RELEASE