The purpose of the company is the acquisition, management and disposal of participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, acquire, manage and dispose of real estate, and furthermore carry out all legal transactions that may be connected with the purpose of the company. The company is part of a group of companies and may take into account the interests of this group in pursuing its corporate purpose. The company may grant loans and other direct or indirect financing to its direct and indirect subsidiaries and third parties, including its direct and indirect shareholders and their direct and indirect subsidiaries, including within the framework of cash pooling agreements, and provide security of all kinds for their liabilities, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not.