The company's purpose is to hold and manage participations in other companies. The company may also participate in, found, acquire and merge with other companies of any kind in Switzerland and abroad. It may acquire, encumber and sell real estate and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad, and establish branches and agencies in Switzerland and abroad by decision of the Board of Directors. Furthermore, the company may acquire, manage and sell securities. The company may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as enter into guarantees, sureties and other security transactions for the benefit of other group companies and third parties. It may grant loans or credits to its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies, conclude cash pooling agreements with them and provide securities of all kinds for their liabilities to third parties.