EXHIBIT 99.2
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
FOR
[EURO]100,000,000
13% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2009
OF
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON , 2000 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE") UNLESS EXTENDED
BY WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS:
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
FOR DELIVERY BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED FOR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY ONLY:
MAIL: Norwest Bank Minnesota,
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association
National Association 608 Second Avenue South
Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue Northstar East Building, 12th Floor
MAC N9303-121 MAC N9303-121
Minneapolis, MN 55479-0069 Minneapolis, MN 55479-0069
Attention: Corporate Trust Department Attention: Corporate Trust Department
BY HAND: BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
Norwest Bank Minnesota, (FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY):
National Association (612) 667-4927
608 Second Avenue South CONFIRM FACSIMILE BY TELEPHONE ONLY:
Northstar East Building, 12th Floor (612) 667-9764
Minneapolis, MN 55479-0069
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION VIA A FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated December ,
1999 (the "Prospectus") of Weight Watchers International, Inc. (the "Company"),
and this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together
describe the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange its
euro-denominated 13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, which have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
(the "Exchange Notes") for each of its euro-denominated 13% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2009 (the "Old Notes" and, together with the Exchange Notes, the
"Notes") from the holders thereof.
The terms of the Exchange Notes are identical in all material respects
(including principal amount, interest rate and maturity) to the terms of the Old
Notes for which they may be exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer, except
that the Exchange Notes are freely transferable by holders thereof (except as
provided herein or in the Prospectus).
YOUR BANK OR BROKER CAN ASSIST YOU IN COMPLETING THIS FORM. THE INSTRUCTIONS
INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED. QUESTIONS AND
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT: NORWEST BANK
MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, 608 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH, NORTHSTAR EAST
BUILDING, 12TH FLOOR, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55479-0069,
(612) 667-9764.
The undersigned has checked the appropriate boxes below and signed this
Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take
with respect to the Exchange Offer.
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE PROSPECTUS
CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW.
List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If the
space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and aggregate
principal amounts should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed hereto.
DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES TENDERED HEREWITH
AGGREGATE
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
HOLDER(S) CERTIFICATE REPRESENTED BY PRINCIPAL
(PLEASE FILL IN) NUMBER(S)* OLD NOTES* AMOUNT TENDERED**
Total
* Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
** Unless otherwise indicated, the holder will be deemed to have tendered the full aggregate principal
amount represented by such Old Notes. See instruction 2.
Holders of Old Notes whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who
cannot deliver all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry
transfer on a timely basis, must tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term "holder" for purposes of
this Letter of Transmittal means any person in whose name Old Notes are
registered or any other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power
from the registered holder or any person whose Old Notes are held of record by
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC").
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE
OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Registered Holder(s) _______________________________________________
Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery ______________________
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery _________________________
If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________
Account Number _____________________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number ____________________________________________________
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/ / CHECK HERE IF EXCHANGE NOTES ARE TO BE DELIVERED TO PERSON OTHER THAN
PERSON SIGNING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL:
Name _______________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF EXCHANGE NOTES ARE TO BE DELIVERED TO ADDRESS DIFFERENT FROM
THAT LISTED ELSEWHERE IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL:
Name _______________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED OLD NOTES FOR YOUR OWN
ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES AND WISH TO
RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY
AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that
it is not engaged 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 Old Notes that were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges
that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale 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. A broker-dealer may not participate in the
Exchange Offer with respect to Old Notes acquired other than as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. Any holder who is an
"affiliate" of the Company or who has an arrangement or understanding with
respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old Notes from the Company to
resell pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any other available
exemption under the Securities Act must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements under the Securities Act.
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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 the principal amount of the Old Notes
indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of
all or any portion of the Old 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 exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon
the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Old Notes
as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes
and appoints the Exchange Agent as its true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent
also acts as the agent of the Company, in connection with the Exchange Offer) to
cause the Old Notes to be assigned, transferred and exchanged.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it has full power and authority
to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes and to acquire Exchange
Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Old Notes, and that, when the
same are accepted for exchange, the Company will acquire good and unencumbered
title to the tendered Old Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions,
charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned
also warrants that it will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the tendered Old
Notes or transfer ownership of such Old Notes on the account books maintained by
the book-entry transfer facility. The undersigned further agrees that acceptance
of any and all validly tendered Old 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, dated
September 22, 1999 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), among the Company,
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and Scotia Capital Markets (USA) Inc. and
that the Company shall have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder
except as provided in the first paragraph of Section 2 of such agreement. The
undersigned will comply with its obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement. The undersigned has read and agrees to all terms of the Exchange
Offer.
The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions as set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Certain Conditions to the
Exchange Offer." The undersigned recognizes that as a result of these conditions
(which may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Company), as more particularly
set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be required to exchange any of
the Old Notes tendered hereby and, in such event, the Old Notes not exchanged
will be returned to the undersigned at the address shown above, promptly
following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer. In addition, the
Company may amend the Exchange Offer at any time prior to the Expiration Date if
any of the conditions set forth under "The Exchange Offer--Certain Conditions to
the Exchange Offer" occur.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to any one of
the procedures described in the Prospectus and in the instructions attached
hereto will, upon the Company's acceptance for exchange of such tendered Old
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 circumstances set forth in the Prospectus,
the Company may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Old Notes.
By tendering shares of Old Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal,
the undersigned represents that Exchange Notes acquired in the exchange will be
obtained in the ordinary course of business of the undersigned, that the
undersigned has no arrangement or understanding with any
4
person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such Exchange Notes, that the undersigned is not an "affiliate" of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act and that if the
undersigned or the person receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not such
person is the undersigned, is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents
that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of
Exchange Notes. If the undersigned or the person receiving such Exchange Notes,
whether or not such person is the undersigned, is a broker-dealer that will
receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale 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. If the undersigned is a
person in the United Kingdom, the undersigned represents that its ordinary
activities involve it in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of
investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of its business.
Any holder of Old Notes using the Exchange Offer to participate in a
distribution of the Exchange Notes (i) cannot rely on the position of the staff
of the Securities and Exchange Commission enunciated in its interpretive letter
with respect to Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available April 13, 1989) or
similar interpretive letters and (ii) must comply with the registration and
prospectus requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary
resale transaction.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the
death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned
hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors
and assigns of the undersigned. Tendered Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with the terms of this Letter of
Transmittal. Except as stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
Certificates for all Exchange Notes delivered in exchange for tendered Old
Notes and any Old Notes delivered herewith but not exchanged, and registered in
the name of the undersigned, shall be delivered to the undersigned at the
address shown below the signature of the undersigned.
The undersigned, by completing the box entitled "Description of Old Notes
Tendered Herewith" above and signing this letter, will be deemed to have
tendered the Old Notes as set forth in such box.
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TENDERING HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
(COMPLETE ACCOMPANYING SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9)
MUST BE SIGNED BY REGISTERED HOLDER(S) EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON
CERTIFICATE(S) FOR OLD NOTES HEREBY TENDERED OR IN WHOSE NAME OLD NOTES ARE
REGISTERED ON THE BOOKS OF DTC OR ONE OF ITS PARTICIPANTS, OR BY ANY
PERSON(S) AUTHORIZED TO BECOME THE REGISTERED HOLDER(S) BY ENDORSEMENTS AND
DOCUMENTS TRANSMITTED HEREWITH. IF SIGNATURE IS BY A TRUSTEE, EXECUTOR,
ADMINISTRATOR, GUARDIAN, ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, OFFICER OF A CORPORATION OR OTHER
PERSON ACTING IN A FIDUCIARY OR REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY, PLEASE SET FORTH
THE FULL TITLE OF SUCH PERSON. SEE INSTRUCTION 3.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S))
Date _______________________________________________________________________
Name(s)_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity (full title) ______________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
Daytime Area Code and Telephone No. ________________________________________
Taxpayer Identification No. ________________________________________________
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(IF REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTION 3)
Authorized Signature _______________________________________________________
Date _______________________________________________________________________
Name _______________________________________________________________________
Title ______________________________________________________________________
Name of Firm _______________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone No.
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6
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SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
To be completed ONLY if Exchange Notes or Old Notes not tendered are to
be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder of the Old
Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above.
Issue
/ / Old Notes not tendered to:
/ / Exchange Notes to:
Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Daytime Area Code and
Telephone No. ______________________________________________________________
Tax Identification No. _____________________________________________________
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SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
To be completed ONLY if Exchange Notes or Old Notes not tendered are to
be sent to someone other than the registered holder of the Old Notes whose
name(s) appear(s) above, or such registered holder(s) at an address other
than that shown above.
Mail
/ / Old Notes not tendered to:
/ / Exchange Notes to:
Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and
Telephone No. ______________________________________________________________
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7
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY
PROCEDURES.
A holder of Old Notes may tender the same by (i) properly completing and
signing this Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile hereof (all references in the
Prospectus to the Letter of Transmittal shall be deemed to include a facsimile
thereof) and delivering the same, together with the certificate or certificates,
if applicable, representing the Old Notes being tendered and any required
signature guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal, to the Exchange Agent at its address set forth above on or prior to
the Expiration Date, or (ii) complying with the procedure for book-entry
transfer described below, or (iii) complying with the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below.
Holders of Old Notes may tender Old Notes by book-entry transfer by
crediting the Old Notes to the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in accordance
with DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") and by complying with
applicable ATOP procedures with respect to the Exchange Offer. DTC participants
that are accepting the Exchange Offer should transmit their acceptance to DTC,
which will edit and verify the acceptance and execute a book-entry delivery to
the Exchange Agent's account at DTC. DTC will then send a computer-generated
message (an "Agent's Message") to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance in which
the holder of the Old Notes acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of,
and makes the representations and warranties contained in, this Letter of
Transmittal, the DTC participant confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial
owners of such Old Notes all provisions of this Letter of Transmittal (including
any representations and warranties) applicable to it and such beneficial owner
as fully as if it had completed the information required herein and executed and
transmitted this Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent. Delivery of the
Agent's Message by DTC will satisfy the terms of the Exchange Offer as to
execution and delivery of a Letter of Transmittal by the participant identified
in the Agent's Message. DTC participants may also accept the Exchange Offer by
submitting a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery through ATOP.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE OLD NOTES AND ANY
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER, AND EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BELOW, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY
RECEIVED OR CONFIRMED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS
SUGGESTED THAT REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED,
BE USED. IN ALL CASES SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PERMIT TIMELY
DELIVERY. NO OLD NOTES OR LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.
Holders whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver
their Old Notes and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or
prior to the Expiration Date or comply with book-entry transfer procedures on a
timely basis must tender their Old Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedure set forth in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such
tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution (as defined below);
(ii) on or prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received
from such Eligible Institution a letter, telegram or facsimile transmission
(receipt confirmed by telephone and an original delivered by guaranteed
overnight courier) setting forth the name and address of the tendering holder,
the names in which such Old Notes are registered, and, if applicable, the
certificate numbers of the Old Notes to be tendered; and (iii) all tendered Old
Notes (or a confirmation of any book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at a book-entry transfer facility) as well as this
Letter of Transmittal and all other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the
8
Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date
of execution of such letter, telegram or facsimile transmission, all as provided
in the Prospectus.
No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of
the Old Notes for exchange.
2. PARTIAL TENDERS; WITHDRAWALS.
If less than the entire principal amount of Old Notes evidenced by a
submitted certificate is tendered, the tendering holder must fill in the
aggregate principal amount of Old Notes tendered in the box entitled
"Description of Old Notes Tendered Herewith." A newly issued certificate for the
Old Notes submitted but not tendered will be sent to such holder as soon as
practicable after the Expiration Date. All Old Notes delivered to the Exchange
Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise clearly indicated.
If not yet accepted, a tender pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date.
To be effective with respect to the tender of Old Notes, a written notice of
withdrawal must: (i) be received by the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses
for the Exchange Agent set forth above before the Company notifies the Exchange
Agent that it has accepted the tender of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer; (ii) specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Notes to be
withdrawn; (iii) identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the principal
amount of such Old Notes, or, if applicable, the certificate numbers shown on
the particular certificates evidencing such Old Notes and the principal amount
of Old Notes represented by such certificates); (iv) include a statement that
such holder is withdrawing its election to have such Old Notes exchanged; and
(v) be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on this
Letter of Transmittal (including any required signature guarantee). The Exchange
Agent will return the properly withdrawn Old Notes promptly following receipt of
notice of withdrawal. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure
for book-entry transfer, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and
number of the account at the book-entry transfer facility to be credited with
the withdrawn Old Notes or otherwise comply with the book-entry transfer
facility's procedures. All questions as to the validity of notices of
withdrawals, including time of receipt, will be determined by the Company, and
such determination will be final and binding on all parties.
Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered
for exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any Old Notes which have been
tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be
returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder (or, in the case of
Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at
the book-entry transfer facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures
described above, such Old Notes will be credited to an account with such
book-entry transfer facility specified by the holder) as soon as practicable
after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer.
Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering" in the Prospectus at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
3. SIGNATURE ON THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS AND
ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Old Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as
written on the face of the certificates without alteration, enlargement or any
change whatsoever.
9
If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If a number of Old Notes registered in different names are tendered, it will
be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter
of Transmittal as there are different registrations of Old Notes.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder or
holders (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include the
book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security listing as the
owner of the Old Notes) of Old Notes listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements
of certificates or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are
required.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder or holders of the Old Notes listed, such Old Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by separate written instruments of transfer or exchange
in form satisfactory to the Company and duly executed by the registered holder,
in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or
holders appear(s) on the Old Notes.
If this Letter of Transmittal, any certificates or separate written
instruments of transfer or exchange 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, proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted.
Endorsements on certificates or signatures on separate written instruments
of transfer or exchange required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution, unless Old Notes are tendered: (i) by a holder who has not
completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery
Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal; or (ii) for the account of an
Eligible Institution (as defined below). In the event that the signatures in
this Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are
required to be guaranteed, such guarantees must be by an eligible guarantor
institution which is a member of a firm of a registered national securities
exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States or another "eligible institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (an "Eligible
Institution"). If Old Notes are registered in the name of a person other than
the signer of this Letter of Transmittal, the Old Notes surrendered for exchange
must be endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by the Company, in its
sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder with the signature
thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
4. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.
Tendering holders should indicate, as applicable, the name and address to
which the Exchange Notes or certificates for Old Notes not exchanged are to be
issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the person signing
this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a different name, the tax
identification number of the person named must also be indicated. Holders
tendering Old Notes by book-entry transfer may request that Old Notes not
exchanged be credited to such account maintained at the book-entry transfer
facility as such holder may designate.
5. TRANSFER TAXES.
The Company shall pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer
and exchange of Old Notes to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If
a transfer tax is imposed for any reason
10
other than the transfer and exchange of Old Notes to the Company or its order
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether
imposed on the registered holder or any other person) will be payable by the
tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exception
therefrom is not submitted herewith the amount of such transfer taxes will be
billed directly to such tendering holder.
6. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.
The Company reserves the absolute right to waive, in whole or in part, any
of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus.
7. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED SECURITIES.
Any holder whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed,
should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated below for further
instructions.
8. SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Each holder of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange (or other
payee) is required to provide a correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN"),
generally the holder's Social Security or federal employer identification
number, and certain other information, on Substitute Form W-9, which is provided
under "Important Tax Information" below, and to certify that the holder (or
other payee) is not subject to backup withholding. Failure to provide the
information on the Substitute Form W-9 may subject the holder (or other payee)
to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and 31% federal income
tax backup withholding on payments made in connection with the Old Notes. The
box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the holder (or other
payee) 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 and a TIN is not
provided by the time any payment is made in connection with the Old Notes, 31%
of all such payments will be withheld until a TIN is provided.
9. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.
Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for
additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be
directed to the Exchange Agent at the address and telephone number set forth
above. In addition, all questions relating to the Exchange Offer, as well as
requests for assistance or additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter
of Transmittal, may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address and
telephone number indicated above.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE OR COPY THEREOF
(TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATES OF OLD NOTES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE
RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under U.S. Federal income tax law, a holder of Old Notes whose Old Notes are
accepted for exchange may be subject to backup withholding unless the holder
provides Citibank, N.A., as Paying Agent (the "Paying Agent"), through the
Exchange Agent, with either (i) such holder's correct taxpayer identification
number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 attached hereto, certifying that the TIN
provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such holder of Old Notes is
awaiting a TIN) and that (A) the holder of Old Notes has not been notified by
the Internal Revenue Service that he or she is subject to backup withholding as
a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (B) the Internal
Revenue Service has notified the holder of Old Notes that he or she is no longer
subject to backup withholding; or (ii) an adequate basis for exemption from
backup withholding. If such holder of Old Notes is an individual, the TIN is
such holder's social security number. If the Paying Agent is not provided with
the correct TIN, the holder of Old Notes may be subject to certain penalties
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
Certain holders of Old Notes (including, among others, all corporations and
certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and
reporting requirements. However, exempt holders of Old Notes should indicate
their exempt status on Substitute Form W-9. For example, a corporation must
complete the Substitute Form W-9, providing its TIN and indicating that it is
exempt from backup withholding. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as
an exempt recipient, the holder must submit a Form W-8, signed under penalties
of perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. A Form W-8 can be
obtained from the Paying Agent. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification
of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for more instructions.
If backup withholding applies, the Paying Agent is required to withhold 31%
of any such payments made to the holder of Old Notes or other payee. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons
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 from
the Internal Revenue Service.
Certain holders of Old Notes (including, among others, all corporations and
certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and
reporting requirements. However, exempt holders of Old Notes should indicate
their exempt status on Substitute Form W-9. For example, a corporation must
complete the Substitute Form W-9, providing its TIN and indicating that it is
exempt from backup withholding. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as
an exempt recipient, the holder must submit a Form W-8, signed under penalties
of perjury, attestingtaxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue
Service.
The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
surrendering holder of Old Notes 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 of Old Notes 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 Paying
Agent will withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly
certified TIN is provided to the Paying Agent.
The holder of Old Notes is required to give the Paying Agent the TIN (e.g.,
social security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of
the Old Notes. If the Old Notes are 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.
12
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FOR THE PAYEE
(YOU) TO GIVE THE PAYER.--Social security numbers have nine digits separated by
two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employee identification numbers have nine digits
separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help
determine the number to give the payer. All "Section" references are to the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. "IRS" is the Internal Revenue
Service.
- -----------------------------------------------
GIVE THE
SOCIAL SECURITY
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT: NUMBER OF
- -----------------------------------------------
1. Individual The individual
2. Two or more The actual owner of
individuals (joint the account or, if
account) combined funds, the
first individual on
the account(1)
3. Custodian account of The minor(2)
a minor (Uniform
Gift to Minors Act)
4. a. The usual The grantor-
revocable savings trustee(1)
trust account
(grantor is also
trustee)
b. So-called trust The actual owner(1)
account that not a
legal or valid
trust under state
law
5. Sole proprietorship The owner(3)
- -----------------------------------------------
GIVE THE
EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT: NUMBER OF
- -----------------------------------------------
6. Sole proprietorship The owner(3)
7. A valid trust, The legal entity(4)
estate, or pension trust
8. Corporate The corporation
9. Association, club, The organization
religious,
charitable,
educational, or
other tax-exempt
organization account
10. Partnership The partnership
11. A broker or The broker or
registered nominee nominee
12. Account with the The public entity
Department of
Agriculture in the
name of a public
entity (such as a
state or local
government, school
district, or prison)
that receives
agricultural program
payments
- ---------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------
(1) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If
only one person on a joint account has a social security number, that
person's number must be furnished.
(2) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
(3) You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or
"doing business as" name. You may use either your social security number or
your employer identification number (if you have one).
(4) List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust.
(Do not furnish the taxpayer identification number of the personal
representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated
in the account title.)
NOTE: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be
considered to be that of the first name listed.
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
OBTAINING A NUMBER
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, at the local
Social Administration office, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer
Identification Number, by calling 1 (800) TAX-FORM, and apply for a number.
PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payees specifically exempted from withholding include:
- An organization exempt from tax under Section 501(a), an individual
retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7),
if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(f)(2).
- The United States or a state thereof, the District of Columbia, a
possession of the United States, or a political subdivision or
wholly-owned agency or instrumentality of any one or more of the
foregoing.
- An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- A foreign government and any political subdivision, agency or
instrumentality thereof.
Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:
- A corporation.
- A financial institution.
- A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United
States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States.
- A real estate investment trust.
- A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a).
- An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
- A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or who is
listed in the most recent publication of the American Society of Corporate
Secretaries, Inc., Nominee List.
- A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission.
- A foreign central bank of issue.
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends generally exempt from backup
withholding include:
- Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under Section 1441.
- Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the United
States and that have at least one nonresident alien partner.
- Payments of patronage dividends not paid in money.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Section 404(k) payments made by an ESOP.
Payments of interest generally exempt from backup withholding include:
- Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may
be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and you
have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the
payer.
- Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
Section 852).
- Payments described in Section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.
- Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under Section 1451.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Mortgage interest paid to you.
Certain payments, other than payments of interest, dividends, and patronage
dividends, that are exempt from information reporting are also exempt from
backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A,
6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A and 6050N.
EXEMPT PAYEES DESCRIBED ABOVE MUST FILE FORM W-9 OR A SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 TO
AVOID POSSIBLE ERRONEOUS BACKUP WITHHOLDING. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER,
FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" IN PART II OF THE
FORM, AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE OF INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR
PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE.--Section 6109 requires you to provide your correct taxpayer
identification number to payers, who must report the payments to the IRS. The
IRS uses the number for identification purposes and may also provide this
information to various government agencies for tax enforcement or litigation
purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are
required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 31% of taxable
interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a
taxpayer identification number to payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
PENALTIES
(1) FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.--If you fail to furnish
your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of
$50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not
to willful neglect.
(2) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING.--If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup
withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION.--Willfully falsifying
certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including
fines and/or imprisonment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE.
PAYER'S NAME:
SUBSTITUTE PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE Social Security Number
FORM W-9 YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT or
RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY Employer Identification Number
SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.
PART 2--Certification--Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer
Identification and (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY me), and
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN) Internal Revenue Service (the "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.
CERTIFICATE 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 of under-reporting interest or
dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by
the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received
another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject
to backup withholding, do not cross out such item (2).
SIGN HERE --> SIGNATURE PART 3--
DATE / / Awaiting TIN
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. 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
CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (2)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31%
of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld.
Signature ___________________________ Date ___________________________ , 2000