The company's purpose is to hold and manage, as well as acquire and sell, participations, combined with the provision of administrative and group services. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, participate in or acquire other companies in Switzerland and abroad, or establish them. The company may acquire, exploit and sell industrial property rights, know-how and intellectual property rights, as well as enter into any business and conclude contracts that are suitable to promote the purpose of the company or are directly or indirectly related to it. The company may acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as provide guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties.