As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 1998.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
February 6, 1998
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
THE YORK GROUP, INC.
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter
DELAWARE
State of Incorporation or
Organization
0-28096
Commission File Number
76-0490631
I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
9430 OLD KATY ROAD
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Address of Principal Executive Offices
77055
(Zip Code)
(713) 984-5500
Registrant's telephone number,
including area code
<PAGE>
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On February 6, 1998, the Company issued a press release concerning its
casket supply agreement with Service Corporation International. On February 18,
1998, the Company issued a press release announcing the execution of an
Agreement and Plan of Merger with Colonial Guild, Ltd., the nation's second
largest maker and wholesaler of custom made memorialization and commemorative
products.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(C) EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ----------- ----------------------
99.1 Press release dated February 6, 1998
99.2 Press release dated February 18, 1998
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 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.
Dated: February 23, 1998
THE YORK GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID F. BECK
David F. Beck
Vice President, Chief Finacial
Officer
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ----------- ----------------------
99.1 Press release dated February 6, 1998
99.2 Press release dated February 18, 1998
THE YORK GROUP, INC.
REPORTS ON CUSTOMER SUPPLY AGREEMENT
HOUSTON, TX - February 5, 1998 -- The York Group, Inc. [NASDAQ: YRKG] today
announced that it has been informed by Service Corporation International (SCI)
that SCI has entered into a supply agreement to purchase substantially all of
its caskets from another supplier commencing January 1, 1999. As previously
disclosed, York's casket supply agreement with SCI expires on December 31, 1998.
SCI intends to honor the existing agreement for the remainder of 1998.
"While SCI is a valued customer, 75% of York's growth during the past
five years has been with independent funeral homes, with whom we have enjoyed
revenue growth of 6% per year, making York the fastest growing casket supplier,"
said Bill Wilcock, York Chief Executive Officer and President.
"We are committed to continuing our superior growth rate with
independents by bringing the best line of caskets to the market and providing
complementary products and services. With the best-in-class York Merchandising
System(TM) and the accelerating growth of the York Generations(TM) pre-need
insurance program, we are well on the way to our goal of becoming the preferred
resource to the death care industry," Wilcock said.
This release contains forward looking statements that are subject to
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the impact of competitive
products, demand for the Company's products and services, and other risks
detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
The York Group, Inc. is the nation's second-largest manufacturer of
caskets and casket components with manufacturing and assembly plants in Alabama,
Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Pennsylvania, company-owned casket
distribution operations serving Midwest, New England, Southwest and Southeast
markets, and a network of independently owned distributors that serve customers
in all other U.S. regions. The York Group's funeral home merchandising and
architectural design services are located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and York
Agency, Inc., a marketer of pre-need insurance and trust products, is
headquartered in Florida.
# # #
The York Group, Inc.
9430 Old Katy Road, Houston, Texas 77055
713/984 5500 o FAX 713/984-5569
THE YORK GROUP, INC.
AGREES TO ACQUIRE COLONIAL GUILD, LTD.
HOUSTON, TX - February 18, 1998 -- The York Group, Inc. [NASDAQ: YRKG] today
announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Colonial Guild,
Ltd., the nation's second-largest designer, manufacturer and wholesaler of
custom made memorialization and commemorative products, which are produced and
marketed through four subsidiaries: Sheidow Bronze Corporation and The
Williamsburg Companies, Inc., both in Kingwood, West Virginia; Oregon Brass
Works, Inc., Portland, Oregon; and Gorham Bronze, Ltd., Aiken, South Carolina.
Colonial Guild's headquarters are also located in Kingwood, West Virginia.
Colonial Guild's 1997 sales were approximately $40 million.
The majority of Colonial Guild's products are made from cast bronze and
are used in the funeral service industry. These products include flush
memorials, flower vases, cremation urns, niche units and statuaries, sold
primarily through cemeteries and monument dealers. Colonial Guild also
manufactures architectural products, including plaques, tablets, seals, letters,
and statuaries used in general and business applications through its
Art-In-Bronze division.
Closing of the transaction is subject to standard closing conditions and
to regulatory approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
"The York Group's objective is to become the preferred resource to the
death care industry. We are pursuing this objective through internal growth and
the addition of complementary products and services. This acquisition is a
perfect fit," said Bill Wilcock, York President and Chief Executive Officer.
"The addition of Colonial Guild to the York family of businesses will broaden
our overall industry presence, and establish York as a leading supplier of
bronze memorials, an important, growing segment of the market," Wilcock said.
"Colonial Guild's industry presence dates back almost 60 years when
Sheidow Bronze was founded in 1939," said Michael Matuska, President of Colonial
Guild, Ltd. "We believe this merger will perpetuate the strong legacy and market
reputation our businesses have established by providing growth opportunities for
our combined companies, and as a result, strengthening relationships with our
customers."
The York Group, Inc. is the nation's second-largest manufacturer of
caskets and casket components with manufacturing and assembly plants in Alabama,
Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Pennsylvania, company-owned casket
distribution operations serving Midwest, New England, Southwest and Southeast
markets, and a network of independently owned distributors that serve customers
in all other regions in the United States. The York Group's funeral home
merchandising operation, York Merchandising Systems(TM), is located in Houston,
and its architectural design services are in New Orleans, Louisiana. Relocation
of the York Agency, Inc., a marketer of pre-need insurance and trust products,
from Vero Beach, Florida, to Houston will be completed during the first quarter
of 1998.
