The company's purpose is to hold and manage participations and shares in companies, to provide strategic management, to manage intellectual property rights, and to provide management and consulting services. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, and may participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company may acquire, encumber, sell, and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It 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. The company may grant loans to its direct or indirect shareholders or to other companies within the group, and may provide security for their liabilities to third parties, including by way of pledge or security assignment of its own assets or guarantees of any kind, even if such loans or securities are granted in the exclusive interest of its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and are provided free of charge.