FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Published on October 27, 2010
Exhibit 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
To Tender for Exchange
$150,000,000 aggregate principal amount
10.875% Senior Notes due 2018
(CUSIP Numbers 43162RAB0)
The Hillman Group, Inc.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 2010, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE EXPIRATION DATE). TENDERS OF INITIAL NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE. |
Delivery to: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
By Registered or Certified Mail: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association Corporate Trust Operations MAC N9303-121 PO Box 1517 Minneapolis, MN 55480 |
By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association Corporate Trust Operations MAC N9303-121 Sixth & Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55479 |
In Person by Hand: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association 12th Floor-Northstar East Building Corporate Trust Operations 608 Second Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55479 |
By Facsimile:
[for Eligible Institutions only]
(612) 667-6282
For Information or Confirmation by Telephone:
(800) 344-5128
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING ANY BOX BELOW.
The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the prospectus, dated , 2010 (the Prospectus), of The Hillman Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and this Letter of Transmittal (the Letter), which together constitute the Companys offer (the Exchange Offer) to exchange $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 10.875% Senior Notes due 2018 (CUSIP Number 43162RAB0) (the Exchange Notes), for a like aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 10.875% Senior Notes due 2018 (CUSIP Numbers 43162RAA2/U4328PAA6) (the Initial Notes) that were issued and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act).
For each Initial Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Initial Note will receive an Exchange Note having an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the surrendered Initial Note.
This Letter is to be completed by a holder of Initial Notes either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if a tender of certificates for Initial Notes, if available, is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company (the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) pursuant to the procedures set forth in The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Initial NotesBook-Entry Delivery Procedure section of the Prospectus and an Agents Message (as defined herein) is not delivered. Delivery of this Letter and any other required documents should be made to the Exchange Agent. Delivery of documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.
Holders of Initial Notes whose certificates are not immediately available, or who are unable to deliver their certificates (or cannot obtain a confirmation of the book-entry tender of their Initial Notes into the Exchange Agents account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (a Book-Entry Confirmation) on a timely basis) and all other documents required by this Letter to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, must tender their Initial Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Initial NotesGuaranteed Delivery Procedure section of the Prospectus. See Instruction 1.
The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this Letter to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to exchange their Initial Notes must complete this Letter in its entirety.
The instructions included with this Letter must be followed. Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter may be directed to the Exchange Agent.
List below the Initial Notes to which this Letter relates. If the space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal amount of Initial Notes should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed to this Letter.
DESCRIPTION OF INITIAL NOTES (See Instruction 2) |
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Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s) Exactly as Name(s) appear(s) on Initial Notes (Please fill in, if blank) |
Certificate Number(s)* |
Aggregate Principal Amount Represented by Certificate |
Principal Amount Tendered (if less than all)** |
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Total |
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* Need not be completed if Initial Notes are being tendered by book-entry transfer. ** Unless otherwise indicated in this column, the holder will be deemed to have tendered the full aggregate principal amount represented by such Initial Notes. See Instruction 2. Initial Notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. See Instruction 1. |
¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED INITIAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
Name of Tendering Institution:
Account Number: Transaction Code Number:
By crediting Initial Notes to the Exchange Agents Account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facilitys Automated Tender Offer Program (ATOP) and by complying with applicable ATOP procedures with respect to the Exchange Offer, including transmitting an Agents Message to the Exchange Agent in which the holder of Initial Notes acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter, the participant in ATOP confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of such Initial Notes all provisions of this Letter applicable to it and such beneficial owners as if it had completed the information required herein and executed and transmitted this Letter to the Exchange Agent.
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¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED INITIAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Window Ticket Number (if any):
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery:
If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, Complete the Following:
Account Number: Transaction Code Number:
¨ | CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER. |
¨ | CHECK HERE IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO. |
Name:
Address:
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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Company for exchange the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Initial Notes tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Initial Notes as are being tendered hereby.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as the attorney-in-fact and proxy of the undersigned (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Company in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Initial Notes with full power of substitution and resubstitution to the full extent of the rights of the undersigned on the Initial Notes tendered. The Exchange Agent is empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of the holders as it may deem proper at any meeting of note holders or otherwise. The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Initial Notes tendered hereby and to acquire Exchange Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Initial Notes, and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim when the same are accepted by the Company.
The undersigned acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made in reliance on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, that the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any such holder that is an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act or (ii) any broker-dealer that purchases Initial Notes from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (Rule 144A) or any other available exemption), without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders business and such holders have no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes and are not participating in, and do not intend to participate in, the distribution of the Exchange Notes. The undersigned acknowledges that the Company does not intend to request the SEC to consider, and the SEC has not considered the Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in other circumstances. The undersigned acknowledges that any holder that is an affiliate of the Company, or is participating in or intends to participate in or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, (i) cannot rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC and (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
The undersigned hereby further represents that (i) any Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the holder; (ii) such holder or other person has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of such Exchange Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act and is not participating in, and does not intend to participate in, the distribution of such Exchange Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act and (iii) such holder or such other person is not an affiliate, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company or, if such holder or such other person is an affiliate, such holder or such other person will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
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If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaging in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Initial Notes, it represents that the Initial Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale, offer to resell or other transfer of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act.
The undersigned also warrants that acceptance of any tendered Initial Notes by the Company and the issuance of Exchange Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the Company of its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Initial Notes, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement in connection with the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Initial Notes tendered hereby. All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter and every obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Letter.
The undersigned understands that tenders of the Initial Notes pursuant to any one of the procedures described under The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Initial Notes in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus under The Exchange OfferConditions to the Exchange Offer the Company may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Initial Notes tendered. Initial Notes not accepted for exchange or withdrawn will be returned to the undersigned at the address set forth below unless otherwise indicated under Special Delivery Instructions below.
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled Special Issuance Instructions below, please deliver the Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Initial Notes for any Initial Notes not exchanged) in the name of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of Initial Notes, please credit the account indicated above maintained at the Book Entry Transfer Facility. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under the box entitled Special Delivery Instructions below, please send the Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Initial Notes for any Initial Notes not exchanged) to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigneds signature(s). In the event that both Special Issuance Instructions and Special Delivery Instructions are completed, please issue the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes accepted for exchange (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Initial Notes for any Initial Notes not exchanged) in the names of the person(s) so indicated. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the Special Issuance Instructions and Special Delivery Instructions to transfer any Initial Notes from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for exchange any of the Initial Notes so tendered for exchange.
The Book-Entry Transfer Facility, as the holder of record of certain Initial Notes, has granted authority to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility participants whose names appear on a security position listing with respect to such Initial Notes as of the date of tender of such Initial Notes to execute and deliver this Letter as if they were the holders of record. Accordingly, for purposes of this Letter, the term holder shall be deemed to include such Book-Entry Transfer Facility participants.
THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED DESCRIPTION OF INITIAL NOTES ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER AND DELIVERING SUCH NOTES AND THIS LETTER TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE INITIAL NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX ABOVE.
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IMPORTANT: UNLESS GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES ARE COMPLIED WITH, THIS LETTER OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF OR AN AGENTS MESSAGE IN LIEU HEREOF (IN EACH CASE, TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATE(S) FOR INITIAL NOTES OR A CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING ANY BOX ABOVE.
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PLEASE SIGN HERE
(TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS WHETHER OR NOT
INITIAL NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY)
(Please Also Complete and Return the Accompanying IRS Form W-9)
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Signature(s) of Owner(s) | Date |
Area Code and Telephone Number:
If a holder is tendering any Initial Notes, this Letter must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as the name(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) for the Initial Notes or on a security position listing as the owner of Initial Notes by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by a properly completed bond power from the registered holder(s), a copy of which must be transmitted with this Letter. If Initial Notes to which this Letter relates are held of record by two or more joint holders, then all such holders must sign this Letter. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, then such person must (i) set forth his or her full title below and (ii) unless waived by the Company, submit evidence satisfactory to the Company of such persons authority to so act. See Instruction 3.
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SIGNATURE GUARANTEE BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION
(If required by Instruction 3)
Signature(s) Guaranteed by |
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Dated:
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INSTRUCTIONS
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Exchange Offer
1. Delivery of this Letter and Initial Notes; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.
This Letter is to be completed by noteholders either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Initial NotesBook-Entry Delivery Procedure section of the Prospectus and an Agents Message is not delivered. Certificates for all physically tendered Initial Notes, or Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter (or manually signed facsimile hereof) and any other documents required by this Letter, must be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, or the tendering holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below. Initial Notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The term Agents Message means a message, transmitted by The Depository Trust Company and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of the Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from a participant tendering Initial Notes which are subject to the Book-Entry Confirmation and that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by this Letter and that the Company may enforce this Letter against such participant.
Noteholders who wish to tender their Initial Notes and (a) whose certificates for Initial Notes are not immediately available, or (b) who cannot deliver their certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or (c) who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender their Initial Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in The Exchange OfferProcedures for Tendering Initial NotesGuaranteed Delivery Procedure section of the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures,
(i) such tender must be made through an Eligible Institution (as defined in Instruction 3 below),
(ii) on or before the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must receive a properly completed and duly executed Letter (or a facsimile thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Company, with the name and address of the holder of Initial Notes and the amount of Initial Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) trading days after the Expiration Date, the certificates for all the Initial Notes tendered, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation with an Agents message, as the case may be, and any other documents required by the Letter will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent, and
(iii) the certificates for all tendered Initial Notes, in proper form for transfer, or Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents required by this Letter, are received by the Exchange Agent within three NYSE trading days after the Expiration Date.
The method of delivery of the Initial Notes, this Letter and all other required documents is at the election and risk of the tendering holders, but the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent. If Initial Notes are sent by mail, it is suggested that the mailing be made by registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt requested, sufficiently in advance of the Expiration Date to permit delivery to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
See The Exchange Offer section of the Prospectus.
2. Partial Tenders (not applicable to noteholders who tender by book-entry transfer).
Initial Notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. If less than the entire principal amount of any Initial Notes is tendered, the tendering
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holder(s) should fill in the principal amount of Initial Notes to be tendered in the box above entitled Description of Initial Notes. The entire principal amount of the Initial Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of Initial Notes is not tendered, then Initial Notes for the principal amount of Initial Notes not tendered and Exchange Notes issued in exchange for any Initial Notes accepted will be sent to the holder at his or her registered address, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter, promptly after the Initial Notes are accepted for exchange.
3. Signatures on this Letter; Bond Powers and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signatures.
If this Letter is signed by the registered holder of the Initial Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificates representing such Initial Notes without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If this Letter is signed by a participant in the Depository Trust Company, the signature must correspond with the name as it appears on the security position listing as the holder of the Initial Notes.
If any tendered Initial Notes are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all of such owners must sign this Letter.
If any tendered Initial Notes are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter as there are different registrations of certificates.
When this Letter is signed by the registered holder or holders of the Initial Notes specified herein and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate bond powers are required. If, however, the Exchange Notes are to be issued, or any untendered Initial Notes are to be reissued, to a person other than the registered holder, then endorsements of any certificates transmitted hereby or separate bond powers are required. Signatures on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter is signed by a person other than the registered holder or holders of any certificate(s) specified herein, such certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, and a proxy that authorize this person to tender the Initial Notes on behalf of the registered holder, in satisfactory form to the Company as determined in its sole discretion, in each case, as the name of the registered holder or holders appears on the Initial Notes.
If this Letter or any certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of its authority to so act must be submitted with the Letter.
Endorsements on certificates for Initial Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by a firm which is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or an eligible guarantor institution within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each an Eligible Institution).
Signatures on this Letter need not be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution if the Initial Notes are tendered: (i) by a registered holder of Initial Notes (which term, for purposes of the Exchange Offer, includes any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility system whose name appears on a security position listing as the holder of such Initial Notes) who has not completed the box entitled Special Issuance Instructions or Special Delivery Instructions on this Letter, or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution.
4. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions.
Tendering holders of Initial Notes should indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address (or account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) to which Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer, or
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substitute Initial Notes not tendered or accepted for exchange, are to be issued or sent, if different from the name or address of the person signing this Letter. In the case of issuance in a different name, the employer identification or social security number of the person named must also be indicated. Holders tendering Initial Notes by book-entry transfer may request that Initial Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such noteholder may designate hereon. If no such instructions are given, such Initial Notes not exchanged will be returned to the name or address of the person signing this Letter.
5. IRS Form W-9.
Under U.S. federal income tax law, payments made in respect of Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to backup withholding at the rate, currently 28%, specified in Section 3406(a)(1) of the Code (the Specified Rate). In order to avoid such backup withholding, each tendering holder (or other payee) that is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien) should complete and sign the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-9 included with this Letter, on which form such holder must provide the correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) and certify, under penalties of perjury, that (a) the TIN provided is correct or that such holder is awaiting a TIN; (b) the holder is not subject to backup withholding because (i) the holder has not been notified by the IRS that the holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report interest or dividends, (ii) the IRS has notified the holder that the holder is no longer subject to backup withholding, or (iii) the holder is exempt from backup withholding; and (c) the holder is a U.S. person (which term includes a U.S. resident alien). If a holder has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding, it must follow the applicable instructions included with the IRS Form W-9.
The holder (other than an exempt or foreign holder subject to the requirements described below) is required to give the TIN (in general, if an individual, the holders Social Security number, otherwise, the holders employer identification number) of the record holder of the Initial Notes. If the tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for one or intends to apply for one in the near future, such holder should follow the applicable instructions included with the IRS Form W-9. If the Exchange Agent or the Company is not provided with the correct TIN, the holder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Code in addition to backup withholding at the Specified Rate on payments to such holder.
Certain holders (including all corporations and certain holders that are neither U.S. persons nor U.S. resident aliens (foreign holders)) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Such an exempt holder, other than a foreign holder, should enter the holders name, address, status and TIN on the IRS Form W-9 and check the Exempt Payee box on the IRS Form W-9, and sign, date and return the IRS Form W-9 to the Paying Agent and should follow the additional instructions included with the IRS Form W-9. A foreign holder should not complete the IRS Form W-9. In order for a foreign holder to qualify as an exempt recipient, such holder must submit a statement (generally, the IRS Form W-8BEN), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that persons exempt status. Such statements can be obtained from the Exchange Agent or online from the IRS at www.irs.gov. For further information concerning backup withholding and instructions for completing the IRS Form W-9 (including how to obtain a TIN if you do not have one and how to complete the IRS Form W-9 if Initial Notes are registered in more than one name), consult the instructions included with the IRS Form W-9.
Failure to complete the IRS Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause Initial Notes to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Company (or the Paying Agent) to withhold at the Specified Rate on payments made in respect of Exchange Notes. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, if the required information is furnished to the IRS, the federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
6. Transfer Taxes.
The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Initial Notes in accordance with the Exchange Offer. If, however, Exchange Notes or substitute Initial Notes not tendered or accepted for
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exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Initial Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Initial Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter, or if a transfer tax is payable for any reason other than the exchange of Initial Notes in the Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be paid by the tendering holder.
If the tendering holder does not submit satisfactory evidence of the payment of any of these taxes or of any exemption from this payment with this Letter, the Company will bill the tendering holder directly the amount of these transfer taxes.
Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Initial Notes specified in this Letter or for funds to cover such stamps to be provided with the Initial Notes specified in this Letter.
7. Waiver of Conditions.
The Company reserves the absolute right to amend, waive or modify, in whole or in part, any or all conditions to the Exchange Offer.
8. No Conditional Tenders.
No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Initial Notes, by execution of this Letter, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of their Initial Notes for exchange.
Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is obligated to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Initial Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.
9. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Initial Notes.
Any holder whose Initial Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further instructions. This Letter and related documents cannot be processed until the Initial Notes have been replaced.
10. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.
Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, may be directed to the Exchange Agent, at the address and telephone number indicated above.
11. Incorporation of Letter of Transmittal.
This Letter shall be deemed to be incorporated in and acknowledged and accepted by any tender through the Book-Entry Transfer Facilitys ATOP procedures by any participant on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of any Initial Notes so tendered.
12. Withdrawals.
Tenders of Initial Notes may be withdrawn only pursuant to the limited withdrawal rights set forth in the Prospectus under the caption The Exchange OfferWithdrawal of Tenders in the Prospectus.
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Print or type
See Specific Instructions on page 2.
Form W-9 (Rev. October 2007) Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service |
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification |
Give form to the requestor. Do not send to the IRS. |
Name (as shown on your income tax return)
Business name, if different from above
Check appropriate box: | ¨ | Individual/Sole proprietor | ¨ | Corporation | ¨ | Partnership | ¨ | Exempt payee |
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¨ Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (D=disregarded entity, C=corporation, P=partnership) Ø ¨ Other (see instructions) Ø |
Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.)
Requesters name and address (optional)
City, state, and ZIP code
List account number(s) here (optional)
Part I | Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) |
Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on Line 1 to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN on page 3.
Note. If the account is in more than one name, see the chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter.
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Social security number |
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Employer identification number |
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Part II | Certification |
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
1 | The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and |
2 | I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and |
3 | I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below). |
Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the Certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions on page 4.
Sign Here |
Signature of U.S. person Ø |
Date Ø |
Cat. No. 10231X |
Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2007) |
Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2007) |
Page 2 |
Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2007) |
Page 3 |
Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2007) |
Page 4 |
Privacy Act Notice
Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons who must file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, and certain other income paid to you, mortgage interest you paid, the acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA, or Archer MSA or HSA. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your tax return. The IRS may also provide this information to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation, and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions to carry out their tax laws. We may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.
You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Payers must generally withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.