The company's purpose is to acquire, manage and dispose of participations in other companies as well as financing in Switzerland and abroad; it can carry out all activities that are directly or indirectly related to this purpose. The company can acquire, manage and transfer patents, trademarks and technical and industrial know-how; the company can establish branches and found subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad. The company can carry out all financial, commercial and other activities that are directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. The company can grant loans to its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and provide security of all kinds for their liabilities to third parties, including by pledging or assigning its own assets or guarantees of any kind, even if these loans or securities are in the exclusive interest of its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and are granted free of charge. The company can acquire, manage and dispose of real estate in Switzerland and abroad.