development and centralization of activities carried out for the benefit of all or part of the companies of the group to which the company belongs, excluding any operation subject to the Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners (LFAIE), namely: centralization and formatting of statistical information of the group companies in technical, commercial and administrative matters; centralization of accounting information, preparation and implementation of consolidation operations, internal control and audit; centralization of the group companies' IT processing in the areas of accounting, payroll and all other management applications; provision of IT consulting services to group companies in the areas of analysis, programming and auditing; analysis of international law and taxation issues, protection of the group companies' rights in the field of industrial and commercial property (patents, trademarks), litigation; grouping of orders, negotiations with suppliers, management of schedules for supplies of fibers, yarns and knitwear or other materials and products necessary for the group companies, centralization of invoicing; centralization of financial operations for the coverage of these supplies, as well as centralization of financial operations for the coverage of risks resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates, centralization of leasing or rental operations for the benefit of the group companies, in the field of equipment or real estate; research in the field of textile fibers, studies of new applications in the field of comfort, well-being and health, market studies, studies and research in the fields of activity of the group companies; study of new investment files, study of company takeovers, in the fields of activity of the group or diversification; preparation of publicity or publishing work, photos, models, photogravures; centralization of training operations and provision of training for personnel in general, technical or specific areas of activity of the group companies; centralization of insurance and reinsurance operations; representation of the group or group companies in relations with national and international authorities; provision of advice to group companies in technical, commercial and administrative areas aimed at the manufacture, storage and distribution of articles that are the subject of the activity of the group companies and creation of information databases; all work that allows improving the performance of the group companies and that proves necessary according to its evolution and growth.