The company's purpose is to acquire and manage participations in the capital of companies, as well as all real estate and investment operations in financial, commercial, industrial or other legal entities, in the short, medium or long term, in Switzerland or abroad. The company also aims to engage in trade, commercial representation, brokerage, market research, acquisition and exploitation of patents, processes and recipes, and technical assistance in these fields, on its own account or on behalf of third parties. The company may create branches, participate in other companies with identical or similar purposes, acquire or finance such companies, carry out all operations and conclude all contracts intended to develop its purpose or related thereto directly or indirectly. It may acquire, operate and dispose of real estate. The company may lend to its shareholders.