<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE TO
Tender Offer Statement Under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(1)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
KENETECH CORPORATION
(Name of Subject Company (Issuer))
KC HOLDING CORPORATION
KC MERGER CORP.
VALUEACT CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
(Names of Filing Persons (Offerors))
Common Stock, Par Value $.0001 Per Share,
Together With The Associated Rights Attached Thereto
(Title of Class of Securities)
488878109
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Jeffrey W. Ubben
Secretary and Treasurer
KC Holding Corporation
KC Merger Corp.
c/o ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P.
One Maritime Plaza
Suite 1400
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 362-3700
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
and Communications on Behalf of Filing Persons)
Copy to:
Dennis M. Myers, Esq.
Kirkland & Ellis
200 East Randolph Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 861-2000
CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Valuation Amount of Filing Fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-
11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was
previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
Amount Previously Paid: None Filing Party: Not applicable
------------------- -----------------
Form or Registration No.: Not applicable Date Filed: Not applicable
---------------- -----------------
[X] Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications
made before the commencement of a tender offer.
Check the appropriate boxes to designate any transactions to which the statement
relates:
[_] third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1.
[_] issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4.
[_] going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3.
[_] amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2.
Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results
of the tender offer: [_]
<PAGE>
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Dated: October 27, 2000
KC HOLDING CORPORATION
By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben
-----------------------------
Name: Jeffrey W. Ubben
-----------------------
Title: Treasurer/Secretary
----------------------
KC MERGER CORP.
By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben
-----------------------------
Name: Jeffrey W. Ubben
-----------------------
Title: Treasurer/Secretary
----------------------
VALUEACT CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
By: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Its: General Partner
By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben
-----------------------------
Name: Jeffrey W. Ubben
-----------------------
Title: Managing Member
----------------------