<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) December 15, 1999.
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
<S> <C>
Exhibit 99 The Loewen Group Inc. Press Release dated December 15,
1999.
</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: December 15, 1999.
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.
Press Release dated December 15, 1999 4
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
- ---------------------
(NYSE, TSE: LWN) NEWS
Contact: Sitrick and Company
Michael Kolbenschlag
(310) 788-2850
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE LOEWEN GROUP ANNOUNCES NON-STRATEGIC ASSET
RATIONALIZATION PROGRAM
371 locations identified for sale
------------------------------------------------------
VANCOUVER, BC December 15, 1999 THE LOEWEN GROUP INC. (NYSE, TSE: LWN), The
Loewen Group Inc. announced that it will apply to the courts for approval for
disposition of up to 201 funeral homes and 170 cemeteries in the United States.
From the beginning of its restructuring process, the Company has indicated that
it was evaluating all properties with regard to their ongoing fit with the
Company's new long-term business plan as part of the process to allow it to
emerge from bankruptcy. The Company conducted extensive reviews of each of its
operating locations. The result of this was the identification of 371 locations
for sale and a further 54 locations will be rationalized through either a merger
or restructuring, totaling 425 locations. While having good track records and
excellent reputations within their communities, many of these businesses do not
fit geographically to be in a position to take advantage of operational
synergies with other Loewen properties.
The Company believes that these properties represent attractive opportunities
for local and regional operators within their market areas, and that they can be
operated successfully with the assistance of the existing talented and dedicated
personnel. The Company, working with its financial advisors, Wasserstein Perella
& Co., will be providing information packages to qualified potential purchasers.
A final determination will be made after receipt and evaluation of purchase
offers.
Customers of these locations are protected under State trusting, insurance and
other consumer protection regulations for pre-need funeral and cemetery
services. The Company will work closely with the purchasers to ensure an orderly
ownership and operational transition.
Based in Vancouver, The Loewen Group Inc. owns or operates more than 1,100
funeral homes and more than 400 cemeteries across the United States, Canada, and
the United Kingdom. The Company employs approximately 13,000 people and derives
approximately 90 percent of its revenue from its US operations.
<PAGE> 2
- more -
# # #
Safe Harbor: Certain 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.
