The company's purpose is the acquisition, administration and sale of participations in all types of companies, in Switzerland and abroad. The company may, in general, carry out all commercial, industrial and financial operations and of any nature that can be directly or indirectly related to the above activities and to any similar or related object or that can facilitate their application or development. The company may establish branches, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, create similar or related companies or merge with such companies, acquire, manage and dispose of real estate; the company may enter into all kinds of business and conclude contracts that are intended to promote the purpose of the company or that are directly or indirectly related to it; the company may make loans or provide guarantees to shareholders and their relatives.