The company's purpose is to hold participations in other companies that are active in the development, design, manufacture and sale of plants, machines and systems for industry, in particular the foundry industry. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, as well as acquire, manage and sell participations. The company may acquire, hold and sell real estate, patents, trademarks, copyrights, design rights and all other intellectual property rights, as well as technical and industrial knowledge, in Switzerland and abroad. The company may provide financing of any kind for its own account or for the account of third parties, and/or take advantage of such financing, and in particular enter into loan or security transactions (including guarantees, sureties or declarations of patronage) against payment or free of charge for or with direct or indirect parent, subsidiary or other affiliated companies, even if such financing, loan or security transactions are in the exclusive interest of these parent, subsidiary or other affiliated companies. The company may also provide management services to parent, subsidiary or other affiliated companies. The company may conduct any further business and take any measures that appear suitable to promote the purpose of the company or are directly or indirectly related to it.