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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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
November 19, 1997 (November 18, 1997)
Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc.
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(Exact name of Company as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-8368 51-0228924
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(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction File Number) Identification
of incorporation) Number)
1301 Gervais Street, Suite 300, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (803) 933-4200
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On November 18, 1997, Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc. ("LESI")
(NYSE:LLE) announced a response to the Safety-Kleen suit filed against it in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The full text of the announcement is reproduced below:
LAIDLAW ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONDS TO SAFETY-KLEEN SUIT
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA...NOVEMBER 18, 1997. Laidlaw Environmental Services,
Inc. (NYSE:LLE) said today Safety-Kleen Corp. (NYSE:SK) had filed suit against
it in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois seeking an
order permitting Safety-Kleen to avoid calling the special shareholders meeting
and providing the shareholder list requested by Laidlaw Environmental.
Commenting on the Safety-Kleen suit, James R. Bullock, chairman of Laidlaw
Environmental, said, "We are disappointed that the Safety-Kleen board continues
to take actions to deny Safety-Kleen shareholders the ability to consider our
offer. We have sought repeatedly to work with the Safety-Kleen board in a
cooperative manner only to be rebuffed at every turn. Despite repeated
assurances that the Safety-Kleen board would consider our offer, the
Safety-Kleen board took this action without any effort to engage us in
discussions. We believe our offer should be considered on its economic merits.
This suit is a wasteful diversion.
"We certainly believe the Safety-Kleen suit is utterly without merit. We will
defend ourselves vigorously to ensure Safety-Kleen shareholders have a say in
the destiny of their company."
Laidlaw Environmental Services is the leading provider of hazardous and
industrial waste management services to industry and government. The company
operates from more than 100 locations throughout North America.
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CONTACTS: James R. Bullock Kenneth W. Winger
Chairman President and CEO
Laidlaw Environmental Services Laidlaw Environmental Services
and President and CEO 803-933-4211
Laidlaw Inc.
800-563-6072 ext. 201
TAG Watson
Vice President Communications
Laidlaw Inc. 800-563-6072 ext. 309
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
LAIDLAW ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
Date: November 19, 1997 By: /s/ Kenneth W. Winger
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Kenneth W. Winger, President
and Chief Executive Officer
