<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) July 27, 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)
</TABLE>
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
<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.
Exhibit No. Description
Exhibit 99 The Loewen Group Inc. Press Release dated July 27, 1998
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: July 27, 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>
99 The Loewen Group Inc. 4
Press Release dated July 27, 1998
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(NYSE, TSE, ME: LWN) NEWS
Investor contact:
Paul Wagler, Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
The Loewen Group Inc.
(604) 299-9321
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOEWEN GROUP RETAINS INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO
MAXIMIZE SHAREHOLDER VALUE
VANCOUVER, BC, July 27, 1998 The Loewen Group Inc. (NYSE, TSE, ME: LWN)
announced today that it has engaged the investment banking firm Salomon Smith
Barney to identify and evaluate opportunities to maximize shareholder value.
Salomon Smith Barney has been authorized by the company's Board of Directors to
initiate comprehensive discussions with potential business partners regarding
strategic partnerships, combinations and capital investments in the Company.
Raymond L. Loewen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Loewen Group
said, "We believe the Company's long-term business plan is sound and we have
clearly made progress in some areas. Nevertheless, the Company expects to report
earnings in the second quarter significantly below expectations. Therefore, the
Company will redouble its efforts to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and
enhance its sales and marketing activities. At the same time, in conjunction
with our investment bankers, the Company will review alternative options to
build shareholder value."
<PAGE> 2
2
The Company expects to announce second quarter results in early August.
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.
###
