ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	NOTE A — ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION Organization and Description of Business ArcBest CorporationSM (the “Company”) is the parent holding company of businesses providing freight transportation services and logistics solutions. The Company was formerly known as Arkansas Best Corporation. On May 1, 2014, the Company changed its name to ArcBest Corporation and the Company’s common stock began trading under a new Nasdaq stock trading symbol, ARCB. In conjunction with this change, the Company adopted a new unified logo system as it strengthens its identity as a holistic provider of transportation and logistics solutions for a wide variety of customers. The Company’s principal operations are conducted through its Freight Transportation (ABF FreightSM) segment, which consists of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries. The Company’s other reportable operating segments are Premium Logistics (Panther), Emergency & Preventative Maintenance (FleetNet), Transportation Management (ABF LogisticsSM), and Household Goods Moving Services (ABF MovingSM) (see Note N). ABF Freight represented approximately 73% of the Company’s 2014 revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations. As of December 2014, approximately 79% of ABF Freight’s employees were covered under a collective bargaining agreement, the ABF National Master Freight Agreement (the “ABF NMFA”), with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”) which extends through March 31, 2018. The ABF NMFA included a 7% wage rate reduction upon the November 3, 2013 implementation date, followed by wage rate increases of 2% on July 1 in each of the next three years, which began in 2014, and a 2.5% increase on July 1, 2017; a one-week reduction in annual compensated vacation effective for employee anniversary dates on or after April 1, 2013; the option to expand the use of purchased transportation; and increased flexibility in labor work rules. Not all of the effects of the contract changes were effective immediately upon implementation and, therefore, expected net cost reductions are being realized over time. The ABF NMFA and the related supplemental agreements provide for continued contributions to various multiemployer health, welfare, and pension plans maintained for the benefit of ABF Freight’s employees who are members of the IBT. Applicable rate increases for these plans were applied retroactively to August 1, 2013. The estimated net effect of the November 3, 2013 wage rate reduction and the August 1, 2013 benefit rate increase was an initial reduction of approximately 4% to the combined total contractual wage and benefit rate under the ABF NMFA. The combined contractual wage and benefit contribution rate under the ABF NMFA is estimated to increase approximately 2.5% to 3.0% on a compounded annual basis through the end of the agreement in 2018. On April 30, 2014, the Company acquired a privately-owned business which is reported within the FleetNet reporting segment for net cash consideration of $2.6 million. On May 31, 2013, the Company acquired a privately-owned business which is included in the ABF Moving segment for net cash consideration of $4.1 million. As these acquired businesses are not significant to the Company’s consolidated operating results and financial position, pro forma financial information and the purchase price allocations of acquired assets and liabilities have not been presented. The results of the acquired operations subsequent to the respective acquisition dates have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. On June 15, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of Panther Expedited Services, Inc. (“Panther”), which is reported as the Panther segment. See Note D for further discussion of the Panther acquisition. Financial Statement Presentation Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Segment Information: The Company uses the “management approach” for determining its reportable segment information. The management approach is based on the way management organizes the reportable segments within the Company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. See Note N for further discussion of segment reporting. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts may differ from those estimates. Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation. As disclosed in a footnote to the depreciation and amortization expense by operating segment in Note N, the 2013 and 2012 amounts presented in the table include amortization of intangibles which was previously reported in the footnote to the table in 2013 and 2012. There was no impact on amounts recorded for depreciation and amortization of fixed assets or amortization of intangibles as a result of these reclassifications.

NOTE A — ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Organization and Description of Business

ArcBest CorporationSM (the “Company”) is the parent holding company of businesses providing freight transportation services and logistics solutions. The Company was formerly known as Arkansas Best Corporation. On May 1, 2014, the Company changed its name to ArcBest Corporation and the Company’s common stock began trading under a new Nasdaq stock trading symbol, ARCB. In conjunction with this change, the Company adopted a new unified logo system as it strengthens its identity as a holistic provider of transportation and logistics solutions for a wide variety of customers.

The Company’s principal operations are conducted through its Freight Transportation (ABF FreightSM) segment, which consists of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries. The Company’s other reportable operating segments are Premium Logistics (Panther), Emergency & Preventative Maintenance (FleetNet), Transportation Management (ABF LogisticsSM), and Household Goods Moving Services (ABF MovingSM) (see Note N).

ABF Freight represented approximately 73% of the Company’s 2014 revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations. As of December 2014, approximately 79% of ABF Freight’s employees were covered under a collective bargaining agreement, the ABF National Master Freight Agreement (the “ABF NMFA”), with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”) which extends through March 31, 2018. The ABF NMFA included a 7% wage rate reduction upon the November 3, 2013 implementation date, followed by wage rate increases of 2% on July 1 in each of the next three years, which began in 2014, and a 2.5% increase on July 1, 2017; a one-week reduction in annual compensated vacation effective for employee anniversary dates on or after April 1, 2013; the option to expand the use of purchased transportation; and increased flexibility in labor work rules. Not all of the effects of the contract changes were effective immediately upon implementation and, therefore, expected net cost reductions are being realized over time. The ABF NMFA and the related supplemental agreements provide for continued contributions to various multiemployer health, welfare, and pension plans maintained for the benefit of ABF Freight’s employees who are members of the IBT. Applicable rate increases for these plans were applied retroactively to August 1, 2013. The estimated net effect of the November 3, 2013 wage rate reduction and the August 1, 2013 benefit rate increase was an initial reduction of approximately 4% to the combined total contractual wage and benefit rate under the ABF NMFA. The combined contractual wage and benefit contribution rate under the ABF NMFA is estimated to increase approximately 2.5% to 3.0% on a compounded annual basis through the end of the agreement in 2018.

On April 30, 2014, the Company acquired a privately-owned business which is reported within the FleetNet reporting segment for net cash consideration of $2.6 million. On May 31, 2013, the Company acquired a privately-owned business which is included in the ABF Moving segment for net cash consideration of $4.1 million. As these acquired businesses are not significant to the Company’s consolidated operating results and financial position, pro forma financial information and the purchase price allocations of acquired assets and liabilities have not been presented. The results of the acquired operations subsequent to the respective acquisition dates have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. On June 15, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of Panther Expedited Services, Inc. (“Panther”), which is reported as the Panther segment. See Note D for further discussion of the Panther acquisition.

Financial Statement Presentation

Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Segment Information: The Company uses the “management approach” for determining its reportable segment information. The management approach is based on the way management organizes the reportable segments within the Company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. See Note N for further discussion of segment reporting.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts may differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation. As disclosed in a footnote to the depreciation and amortization expense by operating segment in Note N, the 2013 and 2012 amounts presented in the table include amortization of intangibles which was previously reported in the footnote to the table in 2013 and 2012. There was no impact on amounts recorded for depreciation and amortization of fixed assets or amortization of intangibles as a result of these reclassifications.