UNITED STATES

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): January 19, 2015

LAYNE CHRISTENSEN COMPANY

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

1800 Hughes Landing Blvd, Suite 700

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

(Address of principal executive offices)

(281) 475-2600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

On January 19, 2015, David D. Singleton resigned from his position as Senior Vice President of Operations—Domestic of Layne Christensen Company (the “Company”), with such resignation to become effective on January 30, 2015.

As part of an assessment of the Company’s management structure, the Company has decided to eliminate the positions of Senior Vice President of Operations—Domestic and Senior Vice President of Operations—International. As a result, Mr. Singleton’s position will not be filled and Gernot Penzhorn’s position as Senior Vice President of Operations—International will be eliminated effective as of January 30, 2015. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President will assume the duties previously performed by the Senior Vice Presidents of Operations.

In connection with Mr. Penzhorn’s departure, the Company and Mr. Penzhorn entered into a letter agreement (the “Severance Agreement”) and Mr. Penzhorn provided a release of claims in favor of the Company (the “Release”). Pursuant to the terms of the Severance Agreement, Mr. Penzhorn will receive a severance package including, among other things, (i) 12 months of salary support at a rate of $5,769.23 per week, subject to deductions required by law, paid bi-weekly in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, (ii) continuation of the Company-paid portion of the premiums for Mr. Penzhorn’s coverage under the Company’s health, dental and vision plans for 12 months, and (iii) accelerated vesting of the Company’s contribution to the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan made in 2011, resulting in an additional $182,487.81 benefit under that plan. Under the Severance Agreement, among other things, Mr. Penzhorn is subject to confidentiality and nondisparagement provisions, a 12-month noncompetition restriction and 12-month customer and employee nonsolicitation restrictions. The foregoing descriptions of the Release and the Severance Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

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.