The company's purpose is to acquire, hold, manage and sell participations in companies and businesses of all kinds. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, acquire or merge with similar or related businesses, acquire and sell patents and licenses of all kinds, acquire, manage and sell real estate, and enter into all transactions and conclude contracts that are suitable to promote the purpose of the company or are directly or indirectly related to it. The company 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.