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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 5, 1997
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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British Columbia, Canada 0-18429 98-0121376
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation)
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4126 Norland Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 3S8
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 604-299-9321
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Exhibit Index is on page 3
Page 1 of 5
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
Pursuant to Form 8-K, General Instructions F, registrant hereby incorporates by
reference the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.
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Exhibit No. Description
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Exhibit 99 The Loewen Group Inc. Press Release dated November 5, 1997
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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.
Dated: November 5, 1997
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
By: /s/ PETER S. HYNDMAN
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Name: Peter S. Hyndman
Title: Corporate Secretary
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Sequential
Number Exhibit Page Number
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99 The Loewen Group Inc. 4
Press Release dated November 5, 1997
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THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
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(NYSE, TSE, ME: LWN) NEWS
Investor contacts: Media Contact:
Paul Wagler, Senior Vice President, Finance Dave Laundy, Vice President,
Corp. Communications
Chris Hunter, Director, Investor Relations Tel: (604) 293-7857
The Loewen Group Inc.
Tel: (800) 347-7010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE LOEWEN GROUP ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
VANCOUVER, BC, November 5, 1997 -- Ray Loewen, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of The Loewen Group Inc. announced today the appointment of two senior
executives and the establishment of an Executive Committee to improve Loewen's
competitive position, direct strategic initiatives and to manage its on-going
dynamic growth.
Michael G. Weedon joins the Company as Executive Vice-President and Chief
Administrative Officer and F. Andrew Scott assumes the position of Senior
Vice-President, Corporate Development.
Both will sit on the Company's Executive Committee with Paul Wagler, Senior
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer and Larry Miller, Executive
Vice-President, Operations with the mandate to implement the
previously-announced program of strategic initiatives and the long-term growth
strategy.
"I believe this executive team can significantly improve the profitability of
our Company and substantially enhance shareholder value," said Mr. Loewen. "We
have now assembled a group of senior executives with the broad range of
experience to manage the Company's operations. The focus of this team will be to
achieve cost efficiencies, ensure effective integration of field and
administrative operations and make disciplined evaluations of acquisition
opportunities."
The Company also announced the appointment of Tim Hogenkamp, formerly President
and Chief Operating Officer, as Chairman of the Board of Loewen Group
International Inc., the holding company of Loewen's U.S. operations. He will
continue his active and key role in the Company's corporate development
activities.
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Mr. Weedon has 20 years in senior management experience in large public and
private corporations. Most recently, he was Executive Vice-President and Chief
Operating Officer of Sherritt Inc. during a period of substantial improvement in
the company's operating performance and a dramatic increase in shareholder
value. Mr. Weedon holds a Masters degree in business administration from the
University of Western Ontario.
Mr. Scott, a career investment banker formerly with CIBC Wood Gundy, has held
senior management responsibilities with The Loewen Group since 1995. He has
extensive background in acquisitions and corporate finance. He will be
responsible for strategic evaluation of growing acquisition opportunities and
the efficient implementation of the Company's acquisition program. Mr. Scott
holds a Masters degree in business administration and an Honors degree in
economics and computer sciences.
The Company also announced the resignation of Douglas McKinnon as Executive
Vice-President.
The Company will issue its third quarter results on November 6 and, as
previously announced, expects to report significantly lower than expected
earnings from operations.
With corporate offices in Vancouver and Philadelphia, The Loewen Group Inc. is
the second largest and fastest growing funeral home and cemetery operator in
North America in terms of revenues and assets. The Company employs approximately
17,000 people and owns or operates more than 1,000 funeral homes and over 400
cemeteries across the United States and Canada. Over 90 per cent of the
Company's revenue is derived from the United States.
The Loewen Group's website is located at http://www.loewengroup.com
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