EX. 99.4 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL--NOTES DUE 2008
Published on November 5, 1998
EXHIBIT 99.4
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
BALL CORPORATION
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
SERIES B 8 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
SERIES A 8 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED , 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON , 1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE
WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
------------------------
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER
OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning
given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a) certificates are
to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant to the
procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth under "The Exchange
Offer-- Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes" in the Prospectus and an
Agent's Message (as defined below) is not delivered. Certificates, or book-entry
confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Outstanding Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as well as
this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent
at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders by
book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an Agent's Message in lieu of
this Letter of Transmittal. The term "book-entry confirmation" means a
confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Outstanding Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at DTC. The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted
by DTC to and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry
confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from
the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states that such participant has
received and agrees to be bound by this Letter of Transmittal and that Ball
Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the "Company"), may enforce this Letter of
Transmittal against such participant.
Holders (as defined below) of Outstanding Notes whose certificates (the
"Certificates") for such Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or who
cannot deliver their Certificates and all other required documents to the
Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus)
or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis,
must tender their Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering
Outstanding Notes" in the Prospectus.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX:
(BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________
DTC Account Number ____________ Transaction Code Number ____________________
/ / CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF
TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING (SEE INSTRUCTION 1):
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s) ____________________________________________
Window Ticket Number (if any) ______________________________________________
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery _________________________
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery ______________________________
If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made by Book-Entry Transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________
DTC Account Number ____________ Transaction Code Number ____________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OUTSTANDING
NOTES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH
ABOVE.
/ / CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OUTSTANDING NOTES
FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
(A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES
OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name: __________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
2
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation
(the "Company"), the above described principal amount of the Company's Series A
8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Outstanding Notes") in exchange
for equivalent amount of the Company's Series B 8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2008 (the "Exchange Notes") which have been registered under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in the Prospectus dated , 1998 (as the same may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the
Prospectus, constitute the "Exchange Offer").
Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Outstanding Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is
extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or
amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the
order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Outstanding
Notes as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact
(with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the
Company in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered
Outstanding Notes, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) subject only to the
right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i) deliver Certificates for
Outstanding Notes to the company together with all accompanying evidences of
transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company, upon receipt by
the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned's agent, of the Series B Notes to be
issued in exchange for such Outstanding Notes, (ii) present Certificates for
such Outstanding Notes for transfer, and to transfer the Outstanding Notes on
the books of the Company, and (iii) receive for the account of the Company all
benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such
Outstanding Notes, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer the
Outstanding Notes tendered hereby and that, when the same are accepted for
exchange, the Company will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances,
and that the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby are not subject to any adverse
claims or proxies. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the company or the Exchange Agent to be necessary
or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the
Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, and the undersigned will comply with its
obligations under the Senior Subordinated Registration Rights Agreement. The
undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the Exchange Offer.
The name(s) and address(es) of the registered Holder(s) of the Outstanding
Notes tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set forth
above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such Outstanding Notes.
The Certificate number(s) and the Outstanding Notes that the undersigned wishes
to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.
If any tendered Outstanding Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange
Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Outstanding
Notes than are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for such
nonexchanged or nontendered Outstanding Notes will be returned (or, in the case
of Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, such Outstanding Notes
will be credited to an account maintained at DTC), without expense to the
tendering Holder, promptly following the expiration or termination of the
Exchange Offer.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Outstanding Notes pursuant to
any one of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Outstanding Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions attached
hereto will, upon the Company's acceptance for exchange of such tendered
Outstanding Notes, constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and
the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the
Prospectus, the Company may not be required to accept for exchange any of the
Outstanding Notes tendered hereby.
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Notes be
issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer of Outstanding Notes, that such Exchange Notes be credited to the
account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute
Certificates representing Outstanding Notes not exchanged or not accepted for
exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer of Outstanding Notes, will be credited to the account indicated above
maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery
Instructions," please deliver Exchange Notes to the undersigned at the address
shown below the undersigned's signature.
By tendering Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal or effecting
delivery of an Agent's Message in lieu thereof, the undersigned hereby
represents and agrees that (i) the undersigned is not an "affiliate" of the
Company, (ii) any Exchange Notes to be received by the undersigned are being
acquired in the ordinary course of its business,
3
(iii) the undersigned has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of
Exchange Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer, and (iv) if the undersigned
is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned is not engaged in, and does not intend
to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such
Exchange Notes. The Company may require the undersigned, as a condition to the
undersigned's eligibility to participate in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to
the Company (or an agent thereof) in writing information as to the number of
"beneficial owners" within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act on
behalf of whom the undersigned holds the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged in
the Exchange Offer. By tendering Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and executing this Letter of Transmittal or effecting delivery of an
Agent's Message in lieu thereof, a Holder of Outstanding Notes which is a
broker-dealer represents and agrees, consistent with certain interpretive
letters issued by the staff of the division of corporation finance of the
Securities and Exchange Commission to third parties, that such Outstanding Notes
were acquired by such broker-dealer for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, and it will deliver a
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time) meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such
Exchange Notes (provided that, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
Prospectus, such broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act).
The Company has agreed that, subject to the provisions of the Senior
Subordinated Registration Rights Agreement, the Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a participating broker-dealer
(as defined below) in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in
exchange for Outstanding Notes, where such Outstanding Notes were acquired by
such participating broker-dealer for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, for a period ending 180
days after the Expiration Date (subject to extension under certain limited
circumstances described in the Prospectus) or, if earlier, when all such
Exchange Notes have been disposed of by such participating broker-dealer. In
that regard, each broker-dealer who acquired Outstanding Notes for its own
account as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a
"participating broker-dealer"), by tendering such Outstanding Notes and
executing this Letter of Transmittal or effecting delivery of an Agent's Message
in lieu thereof, agrees that, upon receipt of notice from the Company of the
occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact which makes any statement
contained or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus untrue in any material
respect or which causes the Prospectus to omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading or of the occurrence of certain other events specified in the Senior
Subordinated Registration Rights Agreement, such participating broker-dealer
will suspend the sale of Exchange Notes pursuant to the Prospectus until the
Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement
or omission and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus
to the participating broker-dealer or the Company has given notice that the sale
of the Exchange Notes may be resumed, as the case may be. If the Company gives
such notice to suspend the sale of the Exchange Notes, it shall extend the
180-day period referred to above during which participating broker-dealers are
entitled to use the Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Notes
by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the
giving of such notice to and including the date when participating
broker-dealers shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus necessary to permit resales of the Exchange Notes or to and including
the date on which the Company has given notice that the sale of Exchange Notes
may be resumed, as the case may be.
As a result, a participating broker-dealer who intends to use the Prospectus
in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for
Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Company, or
cause the Company to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is
a participating broker-dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided
above or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth in the
Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Exchange Agent."
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 Outstanding Notes tendered hereby. All
authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy,
legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as
stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned, by completing the box entitled "Description of Outstanding
Notes" above and signing this letter, will be deemed to have tendered the
Outstanding Notes as set forth in such box.
4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT
HOLDERS: SIGN HERE
(PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDERS(S)
Date: ____________________
(Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Certificate(s) for the Outstanding Notes hereby tendered or on a security
position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s)
by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of
corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, please provide the following information and see Instruction 2
below.)
Name(s): ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity (full title): _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone No.: _______________________________________________
(SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN)
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTION 2 BELOW)
Authorized Signature: ______________________________________________________
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
Title: _____________________________________________________________________
Name of Firm: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone No.: _______________________________________________
Date: ____________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5
- ------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SIGNATURE GUARANTEE REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTION 2)
TO BE COMPLETED ONLY if Exchange Notes or Outstanding Notes not tendered are
to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered Holder of the
Outstanding Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above.
/ / Outstanding Notes not tendered to:
/ / Exchange Notes to:
Name _______________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
__________________________________________________________________________
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SIGNATURE GUARANTEE REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTION 2)
TO BE COMPLETED ONLY if Exchange Notes or Outstanding Notes not tendered are
to be sent to someone other than the registered Holder of the Outstanding
Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above, or such registered Holder at an address
other than that shown above.
/ / Outstanding Notes not tendered to:
/ / Exchange Notes to:
Name _______________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
- -----------------------------------------------------
6
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY
PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a)
Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant
to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes" in the Prospectus and an
Agent's Message is not delivered. Certificates, or timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of such Outstanding Notes into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly
completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration
Date. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an Agent's
Message in lieu thereof. Outstanding Notes may be tendered in whole or in part
in integral multiples of $1,000.
Holders who wish to tender their Outstanding Notes and (i) whose Outstanding
Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Outstanding
Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the
Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot complete
the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender
their Outstanding Notes by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes" in the
Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or
through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (ii) a properly completed
and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made
available by the Company, must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date; and (iii) the Certificates (or a book-entry confirmation)
representing all tendered Outstanding Notes, in proper form for transfer,
together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed
and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees and any other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date
of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in "The
Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes" in the Prospectus.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by
facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery. For Outstanding Notes to be properly tendered pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery on or prior to the Expiration Date. As used herein and in
the Prospectus, "Eligible Institution" means a firm or other entity identified
in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor institution,"
including (as such terms are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer,
municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer.
(iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities
association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a
participant in a Securities Transfer Association.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER,
AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
The Company wilt not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders. Each tendering Holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of
such tender.
2. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature guarantee on this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:
i. this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder (which
term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC
whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the
Outstanding Notes (the "Holder")) of Outstanding Notes tendered herewith,
unless such Holder(s) has completed either the box entitled "Special
Issuance Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions"
above, or
ii. such Outstanding Notes are tendered for the account of a firm that
is an Eligible Institution.
In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature(s)
on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Outstanding Notes" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s)
and/or the principal amount of Outstanding Notes and any other required
information should be listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to
this Letter of Transmittal.
4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Outstanding Notes
will be accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000. If less than all the
Outstanding Notes evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered,
7
fill in the principal amount of Outstanding Notes which are to be tendered in
the box entitled "Principal Amount of Outstanding Notes Tendered." In such case,
new Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Outstanding Notes that were
evidenced by your old Certificate(s) will only be sent to the Holder of the
Outstanding Note, promptly after the Expiration Date. All Outstanding Notes
represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to
have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Outstanding Notes may be
withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a
withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written, telegraphic,
telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely
received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above or in the
Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal
must specify the name of the person who tendered the Outstanding Notes to be
withdrawn, the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn,
and (if Certificates for Outstanding Notes have been tendered) the name of the
registered Holder of the Outstanding Notes as set forth on the Certificate for
the Outstanding Notes, if different from that of the person who tendered such
Original Notes. If Certificates for the Outstanding Notes have been delivered or
otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release
of such Certificates for the Outstanding Notes, the tendering Holder must submit
the serial numbers shown on the particular Certificates for the Outstanding
Notes to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in the case of Outstanding Notes
tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Outstanding Notes have
been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in
the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Outstanding
Notes," the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account
at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Outstanding Notes, in which case a
notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by
written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders of
Outstanding Notes may not be rescinded. Outstanding Notes properly withdrawn
will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may
be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by
following any of the procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes."
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company, in its
sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
The Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Exchange Agent or any
other person shall not be under any duty to give any notification of any
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to
give any such notification. Any Outstanding Notes which have been tendered but
which are withdrawn will be returned to the Holder thereof without cost to such
Holder promptly after withdrawal.
5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, ASSIGNMENTS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the
Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with
the name(s) as written an the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of Outstanding Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or
more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any tendered Outstanding Notes are registered in different name(s) on
several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different
registrations of Certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal 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, must
submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, of
each such person's authority so to act.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the
Original Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of
Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless Exchange Notes are
to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered Holder(s).
Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered owner(s) of the Outstanding Notes listed, the Certificates must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name
or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also must
be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information
as the Company or the Trustee for the Outstanding Notes may require in
accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Outstanding
Notes. Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If Exchange Notes are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal, or if Exchange Notes are to be sent to someone other than the
signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown
above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of
8
Transmittal should be completed. Certificates for Outstanding Notes not
exchanged will be returned by mail or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by
crediting the account indicated above maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.
7. IRREGULARITIES. The Company will determine, in its sole discretion, all
questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Outstanding Notes, which
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves
the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in
proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for which, may, in the view
of counsel to the Company be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute
right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange
Offer set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Conditions to the
Exchange Offer" or any conditions or irregularity in any tender of Outstanding
Notes of any particular Holder whether or not similar conditions or
irregularities are waived in the case of other Holders. The Company's
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including this
Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto) will be final and binding. No
tender of Outstanding Notes will be deemed to have been validly made until all
irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. The
Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Exchange Agent, or any
other person shall not be under any duty to give notification of any
irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such
notification.
8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR THE ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address
and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the
Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
9. 31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING; SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Under the U.S. Federal
income tax law, a Holder whose tendered Outstanding Notes are accepted for
exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such Holder's correct
taxpayer identification number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the
Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") may subject the Holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In
addition, payments to such Holders or other payees with respect to Outstanding
Notes exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to 31% backup
withholding.
The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering
Holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply
for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the Holder or
other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will retain such amounts
withheld during the 60-day period following the date of the Substitute Form W-9.
If the Holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days after the
date of the Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during the 60-day period
will be remitted to the Holder and no further amounts shall be retained or
withheld from payments made to the Holder thereafter. If, however, the Holder
has not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within such 60-day period,
amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding. In addition
31% of all payments made thereafter will be withheld and remitted to the IRS
until a correct TIN is provided.
The Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of
the Outstanding Notes or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers
attached to, or endorsed on, the Outstanding Notes. If the Outstanding Notes are
registered in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner.
consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which number to
report.
Certain Holders (including, among others, corporations, financial
institutions and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to the backup
withholding and reporting requirements. Such Holders should nevertheless
complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write "exempt" on the face
thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person may
qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status.
Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
Holders are exempt from backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. Federal income tax. Rather, the
U.S. 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.
10. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive
satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
9
11. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders will be accepted. All tendering Holders of Outstanding Notes, by
execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice
of the acceptance of Outstanding 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
Outstanding Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give
any such notice.
12. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any Certificate(s)
representing Outstanding Notes have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the Holder
should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The Holder will then be instructed as
to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s). This
Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the
procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate(s) have been
followed.
13. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender their Outstanding Notes
for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection
therewith. If, however, Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered Holder of the
Outstanding Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other
than the exchange of Outstanding Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer,
then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered
Holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering Holder. If
satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will
be billed directly to such tendering Holder.
PAYER'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER. PLEASE
REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL
DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE
IF YOU ARE AWAITING (OR WILL SOON APPLY FOR)
A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
10