EX-99.(A)(1)(B) 3 d246007dex99a1b.htm LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Letter of Transmittal

Exhibit (a)(1)(B)

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

To Tender Shares of Common Stock

of

SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

at

$13.60 NET PER SHARE

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 25, 2011

by

BACKBONE ACQUISITION SUB, INC.

a wholly-owned subsidiary of

SOLUTIA INC.

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK

CITY TIME, ON THE NIGHT OF TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011, UNLESS THE OFFER IS

EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

The Depositary for the Offer is:

LOGO

 

If delivering by registered or certified mail:    If delivering by overnight courier:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
P.O. Box 43011
Providence, RI 02940-3011
   Computershare Trust Company, N.A
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
Suite V
250 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021

Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery to the Depositary. You must sign this Letter of Transmittal in the appropriate space provided therefor below, with signature guaranteed, if required, and complete the IRS Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal, or an applicable IRS Form W-8, if required. The instructions set forth in this Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is completed.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY SHARES TENDERED
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s) (Please fill in, if blank, exactly as
name(s) appear(s) on Share Certificate(s))
  Company Shares Tendered
(Attach additional signed list, if necessary)
     Share
Certificate
Number(s)(1)
  Total Number
of
Company
Shares
Represented
by
Share
Certificate(s)(1)
  Total Number
of Company
Shares
Represented by
Book-Entry
(Electronic
Form)
  Total Number
of Company
Shares
Tendered(2)
                 
                 
                 
                 
   

Total Company Shares

       

(1)   Needs not be completed by stockholders tendering by book-entry transfer.

(2)   Unless a lower number of Company Shares to be tendered is otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Company Shares described above are being tendered. See Instruction 4.

 

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The Offer (as defined below) is not being made to (nor will tender of Company Shares (as defined below) be accepted from or on behalf of) stockholders in any jurisdiction where it would be illegal to do so.

This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by stockholders of Southwall Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) if certificates for Company Shares (“Share Certificates”) are to be forwarded herewith and/or if delivery of Company Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) (pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase).

Stockholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available, or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, or who cannot deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase), must tender their Company Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase in order to participate in the Offer. See Instruction 2. Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Depositary

Preferred Stock. If you hold certificates (“Preferred Stock Certificates”) representing shares of Series A 10% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”) and you wish to tender Company Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, you may submit your Preferred Stock Certificates, together with a notice of conversion and this Letter of Transmittal, and (i) the Transfer Agent (as defined below), shall convert such shares of Preferred Stock into the applicable number of Company Shares, in accordance with its preferred stock processing procedures, and (ii) the Depositary (as defined below) shall process the tender of the resulting Company Shares in the Offer.

 

¨  

Check here if you are delivering Preferred Stock Certificates for conversion and tender in the Offer

Reverse Stock Split. If you hold Company Shares that have not been adjusted to reflect the Company’s 1-for-5 reverse stock split, which occurred on March 9, 2011, you may tender your Company Shares to the Depositary, who will (i) adjust such tendered Company Shares to reflect the reverse stock split and (ii) process the tender of the resulting number of Company Shares in the Offer.

 

¨  

Check here if tendered Company Shares have not been adjusted to reflect the Company’s 1-for-5 reverse stock split on March 9, 2011

Additional Information if Company Shares Have Been Lost, Are Being Delivered By Book-Entry

Transfer, or Are Being Delivered Pursuant to a Previous Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

If any Share Certificate(s) you are tendering with this Letter of Transmittal has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, then you should contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Transfer Agent (the “Transfer Agent”), at (877) 373-6374, regarding the requirements for replacement. You may be required to post a bond to secure against the risk that the Share Certificate(s) may be subsequently recirculated. You are urged to contact the Transfer Agent immediately in order to receive further instructions, for a determination of whether you will need to post a bond and to permit timely processing of this documentation. See Instruction 11.

 

¨ Check here if tendered Company Shares are being delivered by book-entry transfer made to an account maintained by the Depositary with DTC and complete the following (note that only financial institutions that are participants in the system of DTC may deliver Company Shares by book-entry transfer):

 

Name of Tendering Institution—    

 

 

DTC Account Number—  

 

 

   Transaction Code Number—    

 

 

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¨ Check here if tendered Company Shares are being delivered pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery previously sent to the Depositary and complete the following:

 

Name(s) of Tendering Stockholder(s)—                                                                                                                                      

Window Ticket Number (if any)—                                                                                                                                               

Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery—                                                                                                        

Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery—                                                                                                     

 

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NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.

PLEASE READ ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to Backbone Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solutia Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), the above described shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Shares”), of Southwall Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to Purchaser’s offer to purchase all outstanding Company Shares, at a purchase price of $13.60 per share, net to the tendering stockholder in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes (the “Offer Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated October 25, 2011 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”).

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (and if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment) and subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of Company Shares validly tendered herewith and not properly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of Purchaser all right, title and interest in and to all Company Shares that are being tendered hereby (and any and all dividends, distributions, rights, other Company Shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after October 25, 2011 (collectively, “Distributions”)) and irrevocably constitutes and appoints Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Depositary”) the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions), with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest in the Company Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal), to (i) deliver Share Certificates for such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions) or transfer ownership of such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions) on the account books maintained by DTC, together, in any such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of Purchaser, (ii) present such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions) for transfer on the books of the Company and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions), all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

By executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints D. John Srivisal and Miriam Rogers Singer, and any other designees of Purchaser, and each of them, as attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, (i) to vote at any annual or special meeting of the Company’s stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof or otherwise in such manner as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her substitute shall in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, (ii) to execute any written consent concerning any matter as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her substitute shall in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to and (iii) to otherwise act as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her substitute shall in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, all Company Shares (and any and all Distributions) tendered hereby and accepted for payment by Purchaser. This appointment will be effective if and when, and only to the extent that, Purchaser accepts such Company Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer. This power of attorney and proxy are irrevocable and are granted in consideration of the acceptance for payment of such Company Shares in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Such acceptance for payment shall, without further action, revoke any prior powers of attorney and proxies granted by the undersigned at any time with respect to such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions), and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations may be given by the undersigned with respect thereto (and, if given, will not be deemed effective). Purchaser reserves the right to require that, in order for Company Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Purchaser’s acceptance for payment of such Company Shares, Purchaser or its designees must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights with respect to such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions), including voting at any meeting of the Company’s stockholders.

 

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The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer any and all Company Shares tendered hereby (and any and all Distributions) and that, when the same are accepted for payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions), free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and the same will not be subject to any adverse claims. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned is the registered owner of the Company Shares, or the Share Certificate(s) have been endorsed to the undersigned in blank, or the undersigned is a participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Company Shares. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of any and all Company Shares tendered hereby (and any and all Distributions). In addition, the undersigned shall promptly remit and transfer to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser all Distributions in respect of any and all Company Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer, and, pending such remittance and transfer or appropriate assurance thereof, Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may deduct from the purchase price of Company Shares tendered hereby the amount or value of such Distribution as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.

All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall not be affected by, and 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, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that delivery of any Share Certificate shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to such Share Certificate shall pass, only upon the proper delivery of such Share Certificate to the Depositary.

The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Company Shares pursuant to any of the procedures described in the Offer to Purchase and in the Instructions hereto will constitute the undersigned’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer. Purchaser’s acceptance of such Company Shares for payment will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (and if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms of or the conditions of any such extension or amendment).

Unless otherwise indicated under “Special Payment Instructions,” please issue the check for the purchase price of all of Company Shares purchased and, if appropriate, return any Share Certificates not tendered or accepted for payment in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing above under “Description of Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please mail the check for the purchase price of all Company Shares purchased and, if appropriate, return any Share Certificates not tendered or not accepted for payment (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing above under “Description of Shares Tendered.” In the event that the boxes entitled “Special Payment Instructions” and “Special Delivery Instructions” are both completed, please issue the check for the purchase price of all Company Shares purchased and, if appropriate, return any Share Certificates not tendered or not accepted for payment (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the name(s) of, and deliver such check and, if appropriate, return any such Share Certificates (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) to, the person(s) so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions,” please credit any Company Shares tendered herewith by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for payment by crediting the account at DTC. The undersigned recognizes that Purchaser has no obligation, pursuant to the “Special Payment Instructions,” to transfer any Company Shares from the name of the registered holder thereof if Purchaser does not accept for payment any of such Company Shares so tendered.

LOST CERTIFICATES: PLEASE CALL COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AT (877) 373-6374 TO OBTAIN NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO REPLACE YOUR LOST SHARE CERTIFICATES.

 

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SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7)

 

To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Company Shares accepted for payment and/or Share Certificates not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.

 

Issue ¨ Check and/or ¨ Share Certificates to:

 

Name          
  (Please Print)
Address    

 

(Include Zip Code)
 

(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)

(Also Complete Applicable IRS Form W-8 or W-9)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7)

 

To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Company Shares accepted for payment and/or Share Certificates not tendered or not accepted are to be mailed to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown above.

 

Mail ¨ Check and/or ¨ Share Certificates to:

 

Name          
  (Please Print)
Address    

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)

(Also Complete Applicable IRS Form W-8 or W-9)

 

 

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IMPORTANT

STOCKHOLDER: SIGN HERE

(Please complete and return the IRS Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal

or an applicable IRS Form W-8)

      

 

      

 

Signature(s) of Holder(s) of Company Shares

Dated:                       

Name(s)                                                                                                                                                                                                             

(Please Print)

Capacity (full title)

(See Instruction 5)                                                                                                                                                                                         

      

 

(Include Zip Code)

Address                                                                                                                                                                                                              

      

 

Area Code and

Telephone No.                                                                                                                                                                                                

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No. (See IRS Form W-9 included herein)                                                         

Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share Certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by Share Certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, agent, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction 5.

Guarantee of Signature(s)

(If Required—See Instructions 1 and 5)

Authorized Signature                                                                                                                                                                                    

Name                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Name of Firm                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Address                                                                                                                                                                                                              

      

 

(Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone No.                                                                                                                                                                  

Dated:                       

 

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INSTRUCTIONS

FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER

1. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee is required on this Letter of Transmittal (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this Letter of Transmittal, includes any participant in DTC’s systems whose name(s) appear(s) on a security position listing as the owner(s) of Company Shares) of Company Shares tendered herewith, unless such registered holder(s) has completed either the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Company Shares are tendered for the account of a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or by any other “eligible guarantor institution,” as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act, as amended (each, an “Eligible Institution”). In all other cases, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.

2. Requirements of Tender. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed if Share Certificates are to be forwarded herewith and/or, unless an Agent’s Message is utilized, if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedure for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Share Certificates evidencing tendered Company Shares, or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Company Shares (a “Book-Entry Confirmation”) into the Depositary’s account at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth herein prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase). Stockholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available, or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis or who cannot deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date, may tender their Company Shares by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made available by Purchaser, must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date; and (iii) Share Certificates (or a Book-Entry Confirmation) evidencing all tendered Company Shares, in proper form for transfer, in each case together with this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry delivery, an Agent’s Message) and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within three (3) Nasdaq Capital Market trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If Share Certificates are forwarded separately to the Depositary, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery.

The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Company Shares which are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal and that Purchaser may enforce such agreement against the participant.

The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, Share Certificates and all other required documents, including delivery through DTC, is at the election and the risk of the tendering stockholder and the delivery of all such documents will be deemed made (and the risk of loss and title to Share Certificates will pass) only when actually received by the Depositary (including, in the case of Book-Entry Transfer, by Book-Entry Confirmation). If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery prior to the expiration of the Offer.

 

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Purchaser will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent tenders, and no fractional Company Shares will be purchased. By executing this Letter of Transmittal, the tendering stockholder waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance for payment of Company Shares.

3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, Share Certificate numbers, the number of Company Shares represented by such Share Certificates and/or the number of Company Shares tendered should be listed on a signed separate schedule attached hereto.

4. Partial Tenders (Not Applicable to Stockholders who Tender by Book-Entry Transfer). If fewer than all Company Shares represented by any Share Certificate delivered to the Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Company Shares which are to be tendered in the box entitled “Total Number of Company Shares Tendered.” In such case, a new certificate for the remainder of Company Shares represented by the old certificate will be sent to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as promptly as practicable following the expiration or termination of the Offer. All Company Shares represented by Share Certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements.

(a) Exact Signatures. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of Company Shares tendered hereby, then the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of such Share Certificates for such Company Shares without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

(b) Holders. If any Company Shares tendered hereby are held of record by two or more persons, then all such persons must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

(c) Different Names on Share Certificates. If any Company Shares tendered hereby are registered in different names on different Share Certificates, then it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of Share Certificates.

(d) Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of Company Shares tendered hereby, then no endorsements of Share Certificates for such Company Shares or separate stock powers are required unless payment of the purchase price is to be made, or Company Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be returned, in the name of any person other than the registered holder(s). Signatures on any such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of Company Shares tendered hereby, then such Share Certificates for such Company Shares must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on such Share Certificates for such Company Shares. Signature(s) on any such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1.

If this Letter of Transmittal or any Share Certificate or stock power is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other legal entity or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, then such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Depositary of the authority of such person so to act must be submitted.

6. Stock Transfer Taxes. Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction 6, Purchaser or any successor entity thereto will pay all stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of any Company Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer (for the avoidance of doubt, transfer taxes do not include United States federal income tax or backup withholding). If, however, payment of the Offer Price is to be made to, or if Share Certificate(s) for Company Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be registered in the name of,

 

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any person(s) other than the registered holder(s), or if tendered Share Certificate(s) are registered in the name of any person(s) other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, then the amount of any stock transfer taxes, or other taxes required by reason of the payment to a person other than the registered holder(s) of such Share Certificate (in each case whether imposed on the registered holder(s) or such other person(s)), payable on account of the transfer to such other person(s) will be deducted from the Offer Price of such Company Shares purchased unless evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted.

Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to Share Certificate(s) evidencing the Company Shares tendered hereby.

7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check is to be issued for the purchase price of any Company Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal in the name of, and, if appropriate, Share Certificates for Company Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be issued or returned to, any person(s) other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or if a check and, if appropriate, such Share Certificates are to be returned to any person(s) other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in this Letter of Transmittal, then the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal must be completed.

8. Backup Withholding; Tax Documentation. To avoid backup withholding, a tendering stockholder that is a United States person (as defined for United States federal income tax purposes) is required to provide the Depositary with a correct Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) on IRS Form W-9, which is included herein following “Important Tax Information” below, and to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such number is correct and that such stockholder is not subject to backup withholding of United States federal income tax, and that such stockholder is a United States person (as defined for United States federal income tax purposes). If the tendering stockholder has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that such stockholder is subject to backup withholding, such stockholder must cross out item (2) of the Certification section of the IRS Form W-9, unless such stockholder has since been notified by the IRS that such stockholder is no longer subject to backup withholding. Failure to provide the information on the IRS Form W-9 may subject the tendering stockholder to backup withholding of a portion of all payments of the purchase price for Company Shares tendered by such stockholder. If the tendering stockholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for one or intends to apply for one in the near future, such stockholder should write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN on the IRS Form W-9, sign and date the IRS Form W-9 and sign and date the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number under “Important Tax Information” below. If you write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN and the Depositary is not provided with a TIN by the time of payment, the Depositary will withhold a portion of all payments of the purchase price to such stockholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary.

Certain stockholders (including, among others, certain corporations and certain foreign individuals and entities) are exempt from backup withholding. In order to avoid erroneous backup withholding, exempt foreign stockholders should submit an appropriate and properly completed applicable IRS Form W-8, a copy of which may be obtained from the Depositary. Such stockholders should consult a tax advisor to determine which Form W-8 is appropriate. See the instructions enclosed with the IRS Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal for more instructions.

9. Irregularities. All questions as to purchase price, the form of documents and the validity, eligibility (including, without limitation, time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Company Shares will be determined by Purchaser in its reasonable discretion, which determinations shall be final and binding on all parties. Purchaser reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders of Company Shares it determines not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which or payment for which may, in the opinion of Purchaser, be unlawful. Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer (other than the Minimum Condition (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which may only be waived with the consent of the Company) and any defect or irregularity in the tender of any particular Company Shares, and Purchaser’s

 

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interpretation of the terms of the Offer (including, without limitation, these instructions), will be final and binding on all parties. No tender of Company Shares will be deemed to be properly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders must be cured within such time as Purchaser shall determine. None of Purchaser, the Depositary, the Information Agent (as the foregoing are defined in the Offer to Purchase) or any other person is or will be obligated to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders, and none of them will incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.

10. Requests for Additional Copies. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone numbers set forth below or to your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other tender offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent as set forth below, and will be furnished at Purchaser’s expense.

11. Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. If any Share Certificate representing Company Shares has been lost, destroyed or stolen, then the stockholder should promptly notify the Transfer Agent at (877) 373-6374. The stockholder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace such Share Certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Share Certificates have been followed.

12. Preferred Stock. Holders of shares of Preferred Stock may convert their shares of Preferred Stock into Company Shares by delivering a notice of conversion together with this Letter of Transmittal and the certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock. Upon receipt of such items, the Transfer Agent shall convert such shares of Preferred Stock into the applicable number of Company Shares, in accordance with its preferred stock processing procedures, and the Depositary shall process the tender of the resulting Company Shares in the Offer in accordance with these instructions.

13. Reverse Stock Split. Holders of Share Certificates or Book-Entry Confirmations representing Company Shares that have not been adjusted to reflect the Company’s 1-for-5 reverse stock split, which occurred on March 9, 2011, may tender such Company Shares by completing this Letter of Transmittal in accordance with these instructions. In processing the tender of such Company Shares, the Depositary shall first adjust such tendered Company Shares to reflect the reverse stock split and then process the tender of the resulting number of Company Shares in the Offer in accordance with the terms set forth in this Letter of Transmittal.

This Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, together with Share Certificates representing Company Shares being tendered (or confirmation of book-entry transfer) and all other required documents, must be received before 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date, or the tendering stockholder must comply with the procedures for guaranteed delivery.

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

Under United States federal income tax law, a stockholder who is a United States person (as defined for United States federal income tax purposes) surrendering Company Shares must, unless an exemption applies, provide the Depositary (as payer) with the stockholder’s correct TIN on IRS Form W-9, a copy of which is included in this Letter of Transmittal. If the stockholder is an individual, then the stockholder’s TIN is generally such stockholder’s Social Security number. If the correct TIN is not provided, then the stockholder may be subject to a $50.00 penalty imposed by the IRS and payments of cash to the stockholder (or other payee) pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding of a portion of all payments of the purchase price.

Certain stockholders (including, among others, certain corporations and certain foreign individuals and entities) may not be subject to backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order for an exempt foreign

 

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: SWTX


stockholder to avoid backup withholding, such person should complete, sign and submit an appropriate IRS Form W-8 signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to his, her or its exempt status. An IRS Form W-8 can be obtained from the Depositary. Such stockholders should consult a tax advisor to determine which IRS Form W-8 is appropriate. Exempt stockholders, other than foreign stockholders, should furnish their TIN, check the “Exempt payee” box on the IRS Form W-9 and sign, date and return the IRS Form W-9 to the Depositary in order to avoid erroneous backup withholding. See the instructions enclosed with the IRS Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal for additional instructions.

If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold and pay over to the IRS a portion (at the applicable rate) of any payment made to a stockholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding tax rules from a payment to a holder will generally be allowed as a credit against that holder’s Unites States federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Purpose of IRS Form W-9

To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a stockholder that is a United States person with respect to Company Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the stockholder is required to notify the Depositary of the stockholder’s correct TIN by completing the IRS Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal certifying that (1) the TIN provided on the IRS Form W-9 is correct (or that such stockholder is awaiting a TIN), (2) the stockholder is not subject to backup withholding because (i) the stockholder is exempt from backup withholding, (ii) the stockholder has not been notified by the IRS that the stockholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest and dividends or (iii) the IRS has notified the stockholder that the stockholder is no longer subject to backup withholding, and (3) the stockholder is a United States person (as defined for United States federal income tax purposes).

The following section, entitled “What Number to Give the Depositary,” is applicable only to stockholders that are United States persons.

What Number to Give the Depositary

The tendering stockholder is required to give the Depositary the TIN, generally the Social Security number or employer identification number, of the record holder of all Company Shares tendered hereby. If such Company Shares are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the instructions enclosed with the IRS Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal for additional guidance on which number to report. If the tendering stockholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near future, such stockholder should write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN on the IRS Form W-9, sign and date the IRS Form W-9 and sign and date the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below. If the tendering stockholder writes “Applied For” in the space for the TIN and the Depositary is not provided with a TIN by the time of payment, the Depositary will withhold a portion of all payments of the purchase price, which will be refunded if a TIN is provided to the Depositary within sixty (60) days of the Depositary’s receipt of the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number. If the Depositary is provided with an incorrect TIN in connection with such payments, then the stockholder may be subject to a $50.00 penalty imposed by the IRS.

 

NOTE: FAILURE OF A UNITED STATES PERSON TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE IRS FORM W-9 INCLUDED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED INSTRUCTIONS ENCLOSED WITH THE IRS FORM W-9 INCLUDED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU WROTE “APPLIED FOR” IN THE SPACE FOR THE TIN ON THE IRS FORM W-9.

 

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: SWTX


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 IRS 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, a portion of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld, but that such amounts will be refunded to me if I then provide a Taxpayer Identification Number within sixty (60) days.

 

         
Signature     Date

 

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: SWTX


Print or type

See Specific Instructions on page 2.

 

Form W-9

(Rev. January 2011)

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

  

Request for Taxpayer

Identification Number and Certification

 

Give Form to the requester. Do not
send to the IRS.

Name (as shown on your income tax return)

 

Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above

 

Check appropriate box for
federal tax classification
(required):

  ¨  

Individual/sole

proprietor

 

  ¨  

C Corporation

 

  ¨  

S Corporation

 

  ¨  

Partnership

 

  ¨  

Trust/estate

 

         

¨ Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=partnership)

 

    u                                               ¨  

Exempt payee

 

¨ Other (see instructions)  u

 

                                           

 

Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.)

Requester’s 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 the “Name” line 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.  

Social security number

 
             

-  

         

-  

               
                                       
   
Note. If the account is in more than one name, see the chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter.  

Employer identification number

 
 
         

-  

                             
                                       
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  
u
     Date  u

General Instructions

Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Purpose of Form

A person who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA.

Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN to the person requesting it (the requester) and, when applicable, to:

1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued),

2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or

3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the withholding tax on foreign partners’ share of effectively connected income.

Note. If a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.

Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:

An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien,

A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States,

An estate (other than a foreign estate), or

A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).

Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax on any foreign partners’ share of income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, a partnership is required to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid withholding on your share of partnership income.

 

 

 

 

Cat. No. 10231X

Form W-9 (Rev. 1-2011)


Form W-9 (Rev. 1-2011)

Page 2

 

 

The person who gives Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States is in the following cases:

 

   

The U.S. owner of a disregarded entity and not the entity,

 

   

The U.S. grantor or other owner of a grantor trust and not the trust, and

 

   

The U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust.

Foreign person. If you are a foreign person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 (see Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities).

Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.

If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items:

1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.

2. The treaty article addressing the income.

3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.

4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.

5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.

Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.

If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8.

What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS a percentage of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,

2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page 3 for details),

3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,

4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only), or

5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See the instructions below and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9.

Also see Special rules for partnerships on page 1.

Updating Your Information

You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account, for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.

Penalties

Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, 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.

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.

Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Specific Instructions

Name

If you are an individual, you must generally enter the name shown on your income tax return. However, if you have changed your last name, for instance, due to marriage without informing the Social Security Administration of the name change, enter your first name, the last name shown on your social security card, and your new last name.

If the account is in joint names, list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of the form.

Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on your income tax return on the “Name” line. You may enter your business, trade, or “doing business as (DBA)” name on the “Business name/disregarded entity name” line.

Partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation. Enter the entity’s name on the “Name” line and any business, trade, or “doing business as (DBA) name” on the “Business name/disregarded entity name” line.

Disregarded entity. Enter the owner’s name on the “Name” line. The name of the entity entered on the “Name” line should never be a disregarded entity. The name on the “Name” line must be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income will be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a domestic owner, the domestic owner’s name is required to be provided on the “Name” line. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity’s name on the “Business name/disregarded entity name” line. If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, you must complete an appropriate Form W-8.

Note. Check the appropriate box for the federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on the “Name” line (Individual/sole proprietor, Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation, Trust/estate).

Limited Liability Company (LLC). If the person identified on the “Name” line is an LLC, check the “Limited liability company” box only and enter the appropriate code for the tax classification in the space provided. If you are an LLC that is treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes, enter “P” for partnership. If you are an LLC that has filed a Form 8832 or a Form 2553 to be taxed as a corporation, enter “C” for C corporation or “S” for S corporation. If you are an LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner under Regulation section 301.7701 -3 (except for employment and excise tax), do not check the LLC box unless the owner of the LLC (required to be identified on the “Name” line) is another LLC that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. If the LLC is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the appropriate tax classification of the owner identified on the “Name” line.

 

 


Form W-9 (Rev. 1-2011)

Page 3

 

 

Other entities. Enter your business name as shown on required federal tax documents on the “Name” line. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on the “Business name/ disregarded entity name” line.

Exempt Payee

If you are exempt from backup withholding, enter your name as described above and check the appropriate box for your status, then check the “Exempt payee” box in the line following the “Business name/disregarded entity name,” sign and date the form.

Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding. Corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, such as interest and dividends.

Note. If you are exempt from backup withholding, you should still complete this form to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.

The following payees are exempt from backup withholding:

1. An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2),

2. The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities,

3. A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities,

4. A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, or

5. An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

Other payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:

6. A corporation,

7. A foreign central bank of issue,

8. A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States,

9. A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,

10. A real estate investment trust,

11. An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940,

12. A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a),

13. A financial institution,

14. A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian, or

15. A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947.

The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 15.

 

IF the payment is for . . .  

THEN the payment is exempt

for . . .

Interest and dividend payments   All exempt payees except for 9

Broker transactions

 

Exempt payees 1 through 5 and 7 through 13. Also, C corporations.

Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends   Exempt payees 1 through 5
Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,000 1   Generally, exempt payees 1 through 7 2

 

1 

See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.

 

2

However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney, and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.

Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.

If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use your SSN.

If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (see Limited Liability Company (LLC) on page 2), enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.

Note. See the chart on page 4 for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local Social Security Administration office or get this form online at www.ssa.gov. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/businesses and clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by visiting IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.

Note. Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon.

Caution: A disregarded domestic entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.

Part II. Certification

To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if item 1, below, and items 4 and 5 on page 4 indicate otherwise.

For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on the “Name” line must sign. Exempt payees, see Exempt Payee on page 3.

Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 3, below, and items 4 and 5 on page 4.

1. Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

2. Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.

3. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.

4. Other payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. “Other payments” include payments made in the course of the requester’s trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a

 


Form W-9 (Rev. 1-2011)

Page 4

 

 

nonemployee for services, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).

5. Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

 

 

What Name and Number To Give the Requester

 

For this type of account:   Give name and SSN of:
  1.     

Individual

  The individual
  2.      Two or more individuals (joint account)   The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account 1
  3.      Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)   The minor 2
  4.     

a.   The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee)

  The grantor-trustee 1
 

b.   So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law

  The actual owner 1
  5.     

Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual

  The owner 3
  6.      Grantor trust filing under Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A))   The grantor*
For this type of account:   Give name and EIN of:
  7.      Disregarded entity not owned by an individual   The owner
  8.      A valid trust, estate, or pension trust   Legal entity 4
  9.      Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553   The corporation
  10.      Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization   The organization
  11.      Partnership or multi-member LLC   The partnership
  12.      A broker or registered nominee   The broker or nominee
  13.      Account with the 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   The public entity
  14.      Grantor trust filing under the Form 1041 Filing Method or the Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B))   The trust

 

1

List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person’s number must be furnished.

 

2 

Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN.

 

3 

You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or “DBA” name on the “Business name/disregarded entity” name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.

 

4

List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.) Also see Special rules for partnerships on page 1.

 

* Note. Grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust.

Note. If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.

Secure Your Tax Records from Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, social security number (SSN), or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund.

To reduce your risk:

 

   

Protect your SSN,

   

Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and

   

Be careful when choosing a tax preparer.

If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter.

If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039.

For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance.

Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a system problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.

Protect yourself from suspicious emails or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.

The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via emails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.

If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message to phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).

Visit IRS.gov to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk.

 

 

Privacy Act Notice

Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information. Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and 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. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.


The Depositary for the Offer is:

LOGO

 

If delivering by mail:   If delivering by overnight delivery:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
P.O. Box 43011
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011
  Computershare Trust Company, N.A
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
Suite V
250 Royall Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at the telephone numbers and address set forth below. Questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed to the Information Agent at the address and telephone numbers set forth below. Stockholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

D.F. King & Co., Inc.

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10005

Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 269-5550

All Others Call Toll-Free: (800) 487-4870

Email: tender@dfking.com