<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Amendment No. )*
of
Tweedy, Browne Company LLC
SCHEDULE 13D
(Amendment No. )*
of
TBK Partners, L.P.
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
TRANSFINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, Par Value $.O1 PER SHARE
(Title of Class of Securities)
89365P106
(CUSIP Number)
John D. Spears
52 Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 916-0600
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Persons
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
MAY 20, 1998
(Date of Event which Required Filing of this Statement)
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If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].
Check the following box if a fee is paid with the statement [ ]. (A fee is not
required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7.)
* 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
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on 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 the provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
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Schedule 13D
Page ____ of ____Pages
CUSIP No. 89365P106
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Tweedy, Browne Company LLC ("TBC")
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)/ /
(b)/X/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) OR 2(E) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER. TBC has sole voting power with respect
to 271,210 shares held in certain TBC Accounts (as herein-
after defined). Additionally, certain of the general
partners of TBC may be deemed to have sole power to vote
NUMBER OF certain shares as more fully set forth herein.
SHARES ---------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
EACH 0 shares
REPORTING ---------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
0 shares, except that certain of the general partners of
TBC may be deemed to have sole power to dispose of
certain shares as more fully set forth herein.
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
323,995 shares held in accounts of TBC
(as herein defined)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
323,995 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* /X/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.36%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
BD, IA & OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
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Schedule 13D
Page ____ of ____Pages
CUSIP No. 89365P106
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
TBK Partners, L.P. ("TBK")
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)/ /
(b)/x/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) OR 2(E) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER 200 shares, except that the general
partners in TBK, solely by reason of their
positions as such, may be deemed to have shared power
NUMBER OF to vote these shares
SHARES ---------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
EACH 0 shares
REPORTING ---------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
200 shares, except that certain of the general partners in
TBK, solely by reason of their positions as
such, may be deemed to have shared power to vote
these shares.
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
200 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
0.03%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE> 5
PRELIMINARY NOTE
This Statement on Schedule 13D is being filed because the filing persons
may be deemed to be members of a group comprised of Tweedy, Browne Company LLC
("TBC") and TBK Partners, L.P. ("TBK"), which group may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner in the aggregate of in excess of 5% of the Common Stock of
Transfinancial Holdings, Inc. However, the filing of this Schedule 13D should
not be deemed an admission that TBC and Vanderbilt comprise a group within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the"Act").
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER
This Schedule 13D relates to the Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Common
Stock"), of Transfinancial Holdings, Inc.. (the "Company"), which, to the best
knowledge of the persons filing this Schedule 13D, is a company organized under
the laws of Delaware, with its principal executive offices located at 8245
Nieman Road, Suite 100, Lenexa, Kansas 66214.
ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND
(a) The persons filing this Schedule 13D are (i) Tweedy, Browne Company LLC
("TBC"), a Delaware limited liability company, and (ii) TBK Partners, L.P.
("TBK"), a Delaware limited partnership. Annexed as Exhibit 99.1, which is
incorporated by reference herein, is an agreement between TBC and TBK that this
Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of each of them. The filing of this Schedule 13D
should not be deemed an admission that TBC and TBK comprises a group within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act").
This Schedule 13D contains information regarding shares of Common Stock
that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by TBC. Such shares are held in the
accounts of various customers of TBC, with respect to which accounts TBC has
investment discretion (the "TBC Accounts"), and with respect to some of which it
has obtained sole or shared voting power.
The general partners of TBK are Christopher H. Browne, William H. Browne,
Thomas P. Knapp and John D. Spears. (the "General Partners"). The members of TBC
are Christopher H. Browne, William H. Browne, John D. Spears, Thomas H. Shrager,
Robert Q. Wyckoff, Jr. and Holdings (the "Members"). By reason of their
positions as such, the members of TBC may be deemed to control TBC and the
general partners of TBK may be deemed to control TBK.
(b) The business address of each of TBC and TBK and the General
Partners is 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
(c) TBC is engaged primarily in the business of a securities broker and
dealer and investment adviser, is registered as a broker-dealer and investment
adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
TBK is a private investment partnership and is currently, and at all
relevant times was, engaged primarily in the business of investing in securities
for its own account.
The present principal occupation of each of the General Partners is
serving as such for TBK. The present principal occupation of Thomas P. Knapp is
serving as a general partner in TBK. The present principal occupation of the
Members of TBC is serving as such. Holdings is wholly owned by Affiliated
Managers Group, Inc., a Boston-based holding company which makes equity
investments in investment management firms, in which management personnel retain
a significant interest in the profits of the business. The principal business
address of each of TBC and TBK is set forth above.
(d) None of TBC, TBK, Thomas P. Knapp, nor any General Partner or
Member has, during the last five years, been convicted in any criminal
proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors).
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(e) None of TBC, TBK, Thomas P. Knapp, nor any General Partner or Member
has, during the last five years, been a party to a civil proceeding of a
judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which
proceeding it or he was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order
enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject
to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violations with respect
thereto.
(f) TBK is a Delaware limited partnership. TBC is a Delaware limited
liability company. Each of the General Partners, Members and Thomas P. Knapp is
a citizen of the United States of America, with the exception of Holdings, which
is a Delaware corporation.
ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNTS OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION
As of the date hereof, the number of shares with respect to which TBC may
be deemed to be the beneficial owner is 323,995 shares of Common Stock (the "TBC
Shares"), all of which shares were purchased in open market transactions. The
aggregate cost of the TBC Shares, including brokerage commissions, was
$2,465,464.
The TBC Shares are held in the TBC Accounts, the funds therefor coming from
the funds on hand in each individual managed account and in certain instances
from standard margin account borrowings from brokerage accounts maintained at
U.S. Clearing. It is expected that funds used by the TBC Accounts to purchase
additional shares of Common Stock, if additional shares are purchased by the TBC
Accounts (see Item 4 hereof), will come from the funds on hand for each
individual managed account, which funds on hand at any time and from time to
time may include, among others, funds borrowed pursuant to margin accounts
maintained at U.S. Clearing. Borrowings made by certain TBC Accounts pursuant to
such margin accounts are secured by margin securities owned by the respective
accounts, including some of the TBC Shares. Interest on outstanding borrowings
under such margin accounts ranges from 1/2% to 2% over the brokers' call rate in
effect from time to time at Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, New York, depending
upon the amount of outstanding borrowings at any given time.
As of the date hereof, TBK beneficially owns directly 200 shares of Common
Stock (the "TBK Shares"), all of which shares were purchased in open market
transactions. The aggregate cost of the TBK Shares, including brokerage
commissions, was $1,528.
It is expected that funds used by TBK to purchase additional shares of
Common Stock, if additional shares are purchased by TBK (see Item 4 hereof),
will come from TBK's general funds, which include cash and cash equivalents on
hand and in banks.
TBK's general funds have included, and it is expected that they will from
time to time include, funds borrowed by it pursuant to an understanding with
Chase Manhattan Bank. As of the date hereof, TBK has a loan outstanding with
Chase Manhattan Bank in the amount of $20,000. Borrowings made by TBK pursuant
to that understanding bear interest at the brokers' call rate in effect from
time to time at Chase Manhattan Bank. TBK's funds may also include funds
borrowed pursuant to a Line of Credit Agreement between TBK and Boston Safe
Deposit and Trust Company. Pursuant to the Line of Credit Agreement, TBK may
borrow up to $15,000,000 at the brokers' call rate charged from time to time by
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company. Borrowings made by TBK pursuant to its
understandings with Chase Manhattan Bank and the Line of Credit Agreement with
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company are secured by securities owned by TBK;
such borrowings are not secured by any TBK Shares. No borrowings from Chase
Manhattan Bank or Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company were made for the
purpose of acquiring the TBK Shares. TBK reserves the right to include all or
any of the shares of Common Stock owned by it at any time or from time to time,
among the securities that serve as collateral for such borrowings, subject to
compliance with any applicable statutes and regulations.
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ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER
(a) As of the date hereof, TBC may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of
an aggregate of 323,995 shares of Common Stock, which constitutes approximately
5.36% of the 6,042,000 shares of Common Stock which TBC believes to be the total
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. The TBC Shares are held in the TBC
Accounts.
As of the date hereof, TBK beneficially owns directly 200 shares of Common
Stock, which constitutes approximately 0.03% of the 6,042,000 shares of Common
Stock which TBK believes to be the total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding.
Each of TBC and TBK disclaims that it is the beneficial owner of any of the
shares of Common Stock held in the TBC Accounts. The aggregate number of shares
of Common Stock with respect to which TBC and TBK could be deemed to be the
beneficial owner as of the date hereof, is 324,195 shares, which constitutes
approximately 5.37% of the 6,042,000 shares of Common Stock, which the filing
persons believe to be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding,
but nothing contained herein shall be construed as an admission that TBC is the
beneficial owner of any of the TBC Shares.
The aggregate number of shares and percentage of Common Stock with respect
to which each of the General Partners and Members may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner by reason of his being a general partner of TBK and Vanderbilt,
or a member of TBC, is 324,195 shares, which constitutes approximately 5.37% of
the 6,042,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The aggregate number of shares
and percentage of Common Stock with respect to which Thomas P. Knapp may be
deemed to be a beneficial owner by reason of his being a general partner of TBK
is 200 shares of Common Stock which constitutes approximately 0.03% of the
6,042,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding. However, nothing contained herein
shall be construed as an admission that any of the General Partners or Thomas P.
Knapp is the beneficial owner of any shares of Common Stock, except as set forth
herein as expressly and admittedly being beneficially owned by a particular
General Partner or Thomas P. Knapp.
Each of TBC and TBK disclaims beneficial ownership of Common Stock held by
the other. Except as described herein, to the best knowledge of TBC and TBK, no
person who may be deemed to comprise a group with any of TBC and TBK, or any
other person named in Item 2 hereof, beneficially owns any shares of Common
Stock.
(b) TBC has investment discretion with respect to 323,995 shares of Common
Stock held by the TBC Accounts and has sole power to dispose or direct the
disposition of all of such shares. Of these shares of Common Stock, TBC has sole
power to vote or to direct the voting of 271,210 shares of Common Stock held in
certain TBC Accounts.
Each of the Members of TBC, solely by reason of their positions as such,
may be deemed to have (i) shared power to dispose of or to direct the
disposition of all of the shares of Common Stock held in the TBC Accounts; and
(ii) shared power to vote or direct the vote of 271,210 shares of Common Stock
held in certain TBC Accounts.
TBK has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of and dispose or
direct the disposition of the TBK Shares. Each of the General Partners and
Thomas P. Knapp, solely by reason of their positions as general partners, may be
deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose or
direct the disposition of the TBK Shares.
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(c) No transactions in Common Stock were effected by TBK during the
sixty-day period ended as of the date hereof. During the sixty-day period ended
as of the date hereof, TBC purchased and sold shares of Common Stock in open
market transactions as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NO OF SHARES PRICE
TBC ACCOUNTS PURCHASED SOLD PER SHARE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
04/02/98 800 $9 1/4
04/03/98 1,000 $9 1/4
04/06/98 1,900 $9 1/4
04/13/98 155 $9 1/4
04/14/98 2,500 $9 1/4
04/15/98 200 $9 1/4
04/16/98 5,200 $9 1/4
04/17/98 4 ,300 $9 1/4
04/20/98 1,500 $9 1/4
05/04/98 25,200 $8.995
05/05/98 1,500 $9
05/07/98 5,000 $9
05/08/98 5,000 $9
05/11/98 1,400 $9
05/12/98 11,000 $9
05/19/98 5,000 $9
1,210 $9
05/20/98 2,900 $9
</TABLE>
(d) To the best knowledge of TBC, each of the persons maintaining an
account with TBC has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of
dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares of Common Stock
held in said person's TBC Account.
To the best knowledge of TBK, no person other than TBK has the right to
receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds
from the sale of, the TBK Shares, except that the General Partners and Thomas P.
Knapp may be deemed to have such rights and powers solely by reason of being
general partners in TBK.
(e) Not applicable.
ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO
SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
Except as otherwise described herein, none of TBC, TBK or Vanderbilt, nor,
to the best knowledge of TBC, or TBK, any other person named in Item 2 hereof,
has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with respect to any
securities of the Issuer.
ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS
Exhibit 99.1 - - Agreement pursuant to Rule 13d-1(f)(1)(iii).
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SIGNATURE
Each of Tweedy, Browne Company LLC, and TBK Partners, L.P., after
reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, hereby certifies
that the information set forth in this Statement (which includes the Exhibit
annexed hereto) is true, complete and correct.
TWEEDY, BROWNE COMPANY LLC
By /s/ Christopher H. Browne
--------------------------
Christopher H. Browne
Member
TBK PARTNERS, L.P.
By /s/ Christopher H. Browne
--------------------------
Christopher H. Browne
General Partner
Dated: May 21, 1998
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EXHIBIT 99.1
AGREEMENT dated as of May 26, 1998 among Tweedy, Browne Company LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company ("TBC"), and TBK Partners, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership, "TBK"), a Delaware limited partnership.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, TBC, and TBK may be deemed to have acquired, in the
aggregate, beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the Class A -
Common Stock (the "Common Stock") of Transfinancial Holdings Inc. (the
"Company") and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Rule 13d-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Act"), a Statement on Schedule 13D must be filed by any person who
acquires more than five percent of registered equity securities; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(f) of the Act, only one such
Statement need be filed whenever two or more persons are required to file such a
Statement pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act with respect to the same
securities, provided that said persons agree in writing that such Statement is
filed on behalf of each of them.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
The above-referenced parties do hereby agree, in accordance with
Rule 13d-1(f) under the Act, to file one Statement on Schedule 13D relating to
their ownership of the Common Stock, and do hereby further agree that said
Statement shall be filed on behalf of each of them. Nothing herein, however,
shall be, or shall be deemed to be, an admission that the parties hereto, or any
of them, are members of a "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) with respect to any
securities of the Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.
TWEEDY, BROWNE COMPANY LLC TBK PARTNERS, L.P.
By /s/Christopher H. Browne By /s/Christopher H. Browne
_________________________ __________________________
Christopher H. Browne Christopher H. Browne
Member General Partner
