<PAGE> 1
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) June 22, 1998
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
British Columbia, Canada 0-18429 98-0121376
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation)
4126 Norland Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 3S8
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
</TABLE>
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 4
<PAGE> 2
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
<S> <C>
Exhibit 99 The Loewen Group Inc. Press Release
dated June 22, 1998
</TABLE>
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: June 22, 1998
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
By: /s/ BRADLEY D. STAM
------------------------------------
Name: Bradley D. Stam
Title: Senior Vice President, Law
<PAGE> 3
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sequential
Number Exhibit Page Number
- ------ ------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
99 The Loewen Group Inc. 4
Press Release dated June 22, 1998
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
- ---------------------------------------
(NYSE, TSE, ME: LWN) NEWS
Investor Contact: Media Contact:
Chris Hunter, Director, Investor Relations Dave Laundy, Vice
The Loewen Group Inc. President
Tel: (800) 347-7010 Corp. Communications
Tel: (604) 293-7857
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOEWEN GROUP ANNOUNCES CONSOLIDATION OF
OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
VANCOUVER, BC, June 22, 1998 --In a further initiative to strengthen the
company's competitive position and enhance margins, The Loewen Group Inc. today
announced it will consolidate in the company's Vancouver headquarters
operational and administrative functions currently performed at its Philadelphia
office. The move is expected to result in significant efficiencies and cost
savings through elimination of duplications.
Larry Miller, Executive Vice President, Operations, has decided for family and
personal reasons to decline the opportunity to relocate to the Vancouver office
from his base in Philadelphia. Mr. Miller's responsibilities will be assumed by
other executives. However, he will remain as a director of the company and a
personal advisor to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ray Loewen. "Larry
Miller has been one of the greatest entrepreneurial leaders in our industry. We
expect to benefit substantially from his continued active role in our company,"
said Mr. Loewen.
"The company will continue to expand and strengthen senior management to
accommodate its rapid growth," said Mr. Loewen. "In addition, Loewen's four
regional presidents and two regional vice-presidents will assume increased
responsibility for day-to-day operations. The company's executive committee will
continue to focus on ways to streamline operations, reduce costs and provide the
highest quality service to client families."
These changes will affect approximately half of the 300 employees located in
Loewen's Philadelphia office.
"This is one further step in our program to improve profitability and enhance
long term shareholder value," said Chief Financial Officer Paul Wagler. "We are
determined to become the best managed company in our industry."
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 16,000 people and owns or operates more than 1,100 funeral
homes and over 500 cemeteries in the United States, Canada and the United
Kingdom. Over 90 per cent of the company's revenue is derived from the United
States.
Note: Certain of the statements contained in this press release, including, but
not limited to, information regarding the future economic performance and
financial condition of the company, the plans and objectives of the company's
management, and the company's assumptions regarding such performance and plans,
are forward-looking in nature. Additional information concerning important
factors that could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking
information contained in this release is included in the company's
publicly-filed quarterly and annual reports.
The Loewen Group's website is located at http://www.loewengroup.com
- 30 -
