EX-99.1 6 y51759ex99-1.txt FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 1 EXHIBIT 99.1 THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 2001, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OFFER TO EXCHANGE 11-3/4% SENIOR SECURED FIRST MORTGAGE NOTES DUE 2008, WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, FOR ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING 11-3/4% SENIOR SECURED FIRST MORTGAGE NOTES DUE 2008 OF CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS, DATED ___________, 2001 Deliver to: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, EXCHANGE AGENT Facsimile Transmission By Overnight Delivery or Number: Registered or Certified For Eligible Mail: By Hand: Institutions (Only) (302) 651-1079 Wilmington Trust Company Wilmington Trust Company Rodney Square North 1105 Rodney Square North Confirm Receipt of 1100 Rodney Square North Wilmington, DE Facsimile Wilmington, DE 19890 Attn: Corporate Trust, by Telephone or for Attn: Corporate Trust 1st floor Information: (302) 651-8869 Your delivery of this Letter of Transmittal will not be valid unless you deliver it to one of the addresses, or, if you are an Eligible Institution, transmit it in legible form to the facsimile number, set forth above. Please carefully read this entire document, including the instructions, before completing this Letter of Transmittal. DO NOT DELIVER THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY (the "Company"). By completing this Letter of Transmittal, you acknowledge that you have received and reviewed Century's prospectus dated ___________, 2001 and this Letter of Transmittal, which together constitute the "Exchange Offer." This Letter of Transmittal and the prospectus have been delivered to you in connection with Century's offer to exchange $1,000 in principal amount of its 11-3/4% Senior Secured First Mortgage Notes due 2008, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Exchange Notes"), for each $1,000 in principal amount of its outstanding 11-3/4% Senior Secured First Mortgage Notes due 2008 (the "Notes"). $325,000,000 in principal amount of the Notes are currently issued and outstanding For any questions regarding this Letter of Transmittal or for any additional information, you may contact the Exchange Agent by telephone at (302) 651-8869 or by facsimile at (302) 651-1079. For each Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Note will receive an Exchange Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered Note. The Exchange Note will accrue interest at the rate set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus, from the last date on which interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor. Interest on the Exchange Notes is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year commencing on October 15, 2001 and accruing from April 2, 2001, the date of issue of the Notes, subject to the terms of the indenture. The Company reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend the Exchange Offer at its discretion, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date to which the Exchange Offer is extended. The Company shall notify the Exchange Agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will make a public announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. The undersigned hereby tenders the Notes described in Box 1 below (the "Tendered Notes") pursuant to the terms and conditions described in the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal. The undersigned is the registered owner of all the Tendered Notes and the undersigned represents that it has received from each beneficial owner of the Tendered Notes ("Beneficial 2 Owners") a duly completed and executed form of "Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer Facility Participant from Beneficial Owner" accompanying this Letter of Transmittal, instructing the undersigned to take the action described in this Letter of Transmittal. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Tendered Notes, the undersigned hereby exchanges, assigns, and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company, all right, title, and interest in, to, and under the Tendered Notes. Please issue the Exchange Notes exchanged for Tendered Notes in the name(s) of the undersigned. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" below (Box 3), please send or cause to be sent the certificates for the Exchange Notes (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned at the address shown below in Box 1. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney in fact of the undersigned with respect to the Tendered Notes, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver the Tendered Notes to the Company or cause ownership of the Tendered Notes to be transferred to, or upon the order of, the Company, on the books of the registrar for the Notes and deliver all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned's agent, of the Exchange Notes to which the undersigned is entitled upon acceptance by the Company of the Tendered Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and (ii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of the Tendered Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned understands that tenders of Notes pursuant to the procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, subject only to withdrawal of such tenders only on the terms set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Exchange Offer--Withdrawal of Tenders." All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any Beneficial Owner(s), and every obligation of the undersigned or any Beneficial Owners hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, representatives, successors, and assigns of the undersigned and such Beneficial Owner(s). The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign, and transfer the Tendered Notes and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges, encumbrances, and adverse claims when the Tendered Notes are acquired by the Company as contemplated herein. The undersigned and each Beneficial Owner will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete and give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the information in Box 2 is true and correct. The undersigned has supplied the appropriate information and completed 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. By accepting the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the Exchange Notes to be acquired by the undersigned and any Beneficial Owner(s) in connection with the Exchange Offer are being acquired by the undersigned and any Beneficial Owner(s) in the ordinary course of business of the undersigned and any Beneficial Owner(s), (ii) the undersigned and each Beneficial Owner are not participating, do not intend to participate, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution of the Exchange Notes, (iii) except as otherwise disclosed in writing herewith, neither the undersigned nor any Beneficial Owner is an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company, and (iv) the undersigned and each Beneficial Owner acknowledge and agree that any person participating in the Exchange Offer with the intention or for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Securities Act"), in connection with a secondary resale of the Exchange Notes acquired by such person and cannot rely on the position of the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") described in the no-action letters that are discussed in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Exchange Offer." In addition, by accepting the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby (i) represents and warrants that, if the undersigned or any Beneficial Owner of the Notes is a broker dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Notes (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), such Participating Broker-Dealer acquired the Notes for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with the Company or any affiliate of the Company (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) to distribute the Exchange Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer, and (ii) acknowledges that, by receiving Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Notes, where such Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, such Participating Broker-Dealer will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. 3 THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF TENDERED NOTES" BELOW AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX BELOW. [_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED HEREWITH. [_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY DELIVERED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE "USE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY" BELOW (BOX 4). [_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE "USE OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER" BELOW (BOX 5) 4 PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE BOXES BOX 1 DESCRIPTION OF NOTES TENDERED (ATTACH ADDITIONAL PAGES, IF NECESSARY) NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL REGISTERED HOLDER(S) AMOUNT OF NOTES (PLEASE COMPLETE, IF CERTIFICATE REPRESENTED BY PRINCIPAL AMOUNT BLANK) NUMBER(S) OF NOTES* CERTIFICATE(S) OF NOTES TENDERED** ___________________ __________________ ____________________ ___________________ __________________ ____________________ ___________________ __________________ ____________________ TOTAL_________________
* Need not be completed by persons tendering by book-entry transfer. ** The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Notes. All other tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000 of principal amount. Unless otherwise indicated in this column, the principal amount of all Notes identified in this Box 1 or delivered to the Exchange Agent herewith shall be deemed tendered. See Instruction 4. BOX 2 BENEFICIAL OWNER(S) STATE OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF TENDERED NOTES EACH BENEFICIAL OWNER OF TENDERED NOTES HELD FOR ACCOUNT OF BENEFICIAL OWNER ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 5 BOX 3 SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 5, 6 AND 7) TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF EXCHANGE NOTES EXCHANGED FOR NOTES AND UNTENDERED NOTES ARE TO BE SENT TO SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE UNDERSIGNED, OR TO THE UNDERSIGNED AT AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THAT SHOWN ABOVE. Mail Exchange Note(s) and any untendered Notes to: Name(s): __________________________________________________________________(please print) Address: _______________________________________________________________include zip code) Tax Identification or Social Security No.:______________________________________ BOX 4 USE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY (SEE INSTRUCTION 2) TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF NOTES ARE BEING TENDERED BY MEANS OF A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY. Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): ________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:_____________________________ Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:__________________________________ BOX 5 USE OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER (SEE INSTRUCTION 2) TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF DELIVERY OF TENDERED NOTES IS TO BE MADE BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER. Name of Tendering Institution:__________________________________________________ Account Number: ________________________________________________________________ Transaction Code Number: _______________________________________________________ 6 BOX 6 TENDERING HOLDER SIGNATURE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5) IN ADDITION, COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 X __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (If Required by Instruction 5) X __________________________________________________ (Signature of Registered Holder(s) Authorized Signature: or Authorized Signatory) X ____________________________________________ Note: The above lines must be signed by the Name: ________________________________________ registered holder(s) of the Notes as their (please print) name(s) appear(s) on the Notes or by persons authorized to become registered holder(s) Title:________________________________________ (evidence of which authorization must be transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal). If signature is by a trustee, Name of Firm:_________________________________ executor, administrator, guardian, (Must be an eligible Institution attorney-in-fact, officer, or other person as defined in Instruction 2) acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must record his or her full title below. See Instruction 5. Address:______________________________________ Name(s): ___________________________________________ ______________________________________________ (Include zip code) Capacity: __________________________________________ Area Code and Telephone Number: ____________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Street Address: ____________________________________ Dated: _______________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ (include zip code)
Area Code and Telephone Number: ____________________________________________________ Tax Identification or Social Security Number: ____________________________________________________ BOX 7 BROKER-DEALER STATUS [_] Check this box if the Beneficial Owner of the Notes is a Participating Broker-Dealer and such Participating Broker-Dealer acquired the Notes for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. 7 PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW. PAYER'S NAME: [CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY] [WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY] Name: (if joint name, list first and circle the name of the person or entity whose number you enter in Part I below. See instructions if your name has changed). __________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________ City, State and ZIP Code __________________________________________________________________ List account number(s) (optional) PART 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE _______________________ SUBSTITUTE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER FORM W-9 DATING BELOW. OR _______________________ EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY INTERNAL PART 2 -- CERTIFICATION -- UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY REVENUE SERVICE THAT: (1) THE NUMBER SHOWN ON THIS FORM IS MY CORRECT TIN (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 FAILURE TO REPORT ALL INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS, OR (c) THE IRS HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT I AM NO LONGER SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING. PART 3 -- AWAITING TIN [_] PAYER'S REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS -- YOU MUST CROSS OUT ITEM (2) TAXPAYER IDENTI- IN THE BOX ABOVE IF YOU HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY THE IRS FICATION NUMBER THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING ("TIN")CERTIFICATION BECAUSE OF UNDERREPORTING INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS ON YOUR TAX RETURN.
__________________________________ ____________________ SIGNATURE DATE NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU UNDER THE EXCHANGE OFFER. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. 8 INSTRUCTIONS TO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER 1. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Notes. A properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal, including Substitute Form W-9, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address herein, and either certificates for Tendered Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address herein or such Tendered Notes must be transferred pursuant to the procedures for book- entry transfer described in the Prospectus (and a confirmation of such transfer received by the Exchange Agent), in each case prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The method of delivery of certificates for Tendered Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of the tendering holder and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received (properly completed and duly executed, if applicable) by the Exchange Agent. If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that the Holder use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or Notes should be sent to the Company. Neither the Company nor the registrar are under any obligation to notify any tendering holder of the Company's acceptance of Tendered Notes prior to the closing of the Exchange Offer. 2. Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. Holders who wish to tender their Notes but whose Notes are not immediately available, and who cannot deliver their Notes, this Letter of Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date must tender their Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below, including completion of Box 4. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or through a firm which is a member of a recognized Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association Inc. (an "Eligible Institution") and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be signed by the holder; (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the holder and the Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and address of the holder, the certificate number(s) of the Tendered Notes and the principal amount of Tendered Notes, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within three business days after the Expiration Date, this Letter of Transmittal together with the certificate(s) representing the Notes and any other required documents will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal, as well as all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal and the certificate(s) representing all Tendered Notes in proper form for transfer, must be received by the Exchange Agent within three business days after the Expiration Date. Any holder who wishes to tender Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery relating to such Notes prior to 5:00 New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Failure to complete the guaranteed delivery procedures outlined above will not, of itself, affect the validity or effect a revocation of any Letter of Transmittal form properly completed and executed by an Eligible Holder who attempted to use the guaranteed delivery process. 3. Beneficial Owner Instructions to Registered Holders. Only a holder in whose name Tendered Notes are registered on the books of the registrar (or the legal representative or attorney-in-fact of such registered holder) may execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal. Any Beneficial Owner of Tendered Notes who is not the registered holder must arrange promptly with the registered holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on his or her behalf through the execution and delivery to the registered holder of the Instructions to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer Facility Participant from Beneficial Owner form accompanying this Letter of Transmittal. 4. Partial Tenders. Tenders of Notes will be accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000 in principal amount. If less than the entire principal amount of Notes held by the holder is tendered, the tendering holder should fill in the principal amount tendered in the column labeled "Aggregate Principal Amount Tendered" of the box entitled "Description of Notes Tendered" (Box 1) above. The entire principal amount of Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Notes held by the holder is not tendered, then Notes for the principal amount of Notes not tendered and Exchange Notes issued in exchange for any Notes tendered and accepted will be sent to the Holder at his or her registered address, unless a different address is provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date. 5. Signatures on the Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signatures. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Tendered Notes, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Tendered Notes without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If any of the Tendered Notes are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If any Tendered Notes are held in different names, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of the Letter of Transmittal as there are different names in which Tendered Notes are held. 9 If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of Tendered Notes, and Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor are to be issued (and any untendered principal amount of Notes is to be reissued) in the name of the registered holder(s), then such registered holder(s) need not and should not endorse any Tendered Notes, nor provide a separate bond power. In any other case, such registered holder(s) must either properly endorse the Tendered Notes or transmit a properly completed separate bond power with this Letter of Transmittal, with the signature(s) on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of any Tendered Notes, such Tendered Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in each case, signed as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the Tendered Notes, with the signature(s) on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. If this Letter of Transmittal or any Tendered Notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal. Endorsements on Tendered Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this Instruction 5 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless the Tendered Notes are tendered (i) by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" (Box 3) or (ii) by an Eligible Institution. 6. Special Delivery Instructions. Tendering holders should indicate, in the applicable box (Box 3), the name and address to which the Exchange Notes and/or substitute Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for exchange are to be 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 taxpayer identification or social security number of the person named must also be indicated. 7. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the Exchange of Tendered Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the transfer and exchange of Tendered Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other person) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder. Except as provided in this Instruction 7, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Tendered Notes listed in this Letter of Transmittal. 8. Tax Identification Number. Federal income tax law requires that the holder(s) of any Tendered Notes which are accepted for exchange must provide the Company (as payor) with its correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), which, in the case of a holder who is an individual, is his or her social security number. If the Company is not provided with the correct TIN, the Holder may be subject to backup withholding and a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. (If withholding results in an over-payment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.) Certain holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional instructions. To prevent backup withholding, each holder of Tendered Notes must provide such holder's correct TIN by completing the Substitute Form W-9 certifying that the TIN provided is correct (or that such holder is awaiting a TIN, and that (i) the holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividend or (ii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the holder that such holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. If the Tendered Notes are registered in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for information on which TIN to report. The Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to take whatever steps are necessary to comply with the Company's obligation regarding backup withholding. 9. Validity of Tenders. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of Tendered Notes will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the right to reject any and all Notes not validly tendered or any Notes the Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of the Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any conditions of the Exchange Offer or defects or irregularities in tenders of Notes as to any ineligibility of any holder who seeks to 10 tender Notes in the Exchange Offer. The interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto) by the Company shall be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Notes must he cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Notes, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date. 10. Waiver of Conditions. The Company reserves the absolute right to amend, waive or modify any of the conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of any Tendered Notes. 11. No Conditional Tender. No alternative, conditional, irregular, or contingent tender of Notes or transmittal of this Letter of Transmittal will be accepted. 12. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Notes. Any tendering Holder whose Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further instructions. 13. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions and requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer. 14. Acceptance of Tendered Notes and Issuance of Notes; Return of Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Company will accept for exchange all validly tendered Notes as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date and will issue Exchange Notes therefor as soon as practicable thereafter. For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted tendered Notes when, as and if the Company has given written or oral notice (immediately followed in writing) thereof to the Exchange Agent. If any Tendered Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason, such unexchanged Notes will be returned, without expense, to the undersigned at the address shown in Box 1 or at a different address as may be indicated herein under "Special Delivery Instructions" (Box 3). 15. Withdrawal. Tenders may be withdrawn only pursuant to the procedures in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer."