The company's purpose is to establish, acquire, hold and manage participations in companies as well as to provide business consulting and related activities. The company may acquire, manage and transfer patents, trademarks, technical and industrial know-how. Furthermore, the company's purpose is to buy and sell, hold, broker, rent and manage real estate, as well as to construct buildings and provide related services. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. 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 grant guarantees and sureties for its subsidiaries and third parties.