The company's purpose is to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds, as well as to assume group-internal management, control and coordination functions. The company may establish subsidiaries and branches in Switzerland and abroad and conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. The company may acquire, hold, encumber, rent, manage and dispose of real estate in Switzerland and abroad. 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 subsidiaries and third parties. The company may acquire, develop, manage and exploit patents, trademarks, licenses, manufacturing processes and intellectual property rights.