The company's purpose is to operate public establishments and trade in all types of products related thereto. The company may also engage in any other activity having a direct or indirect connection with these purposes; it may in particular establish branches in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, acquire companies with an identical or similar purpose, or merge with such companies, carry out all operations and conclude all contracts suitable for developing and expanding its purpose or directly or indirectly related thereto.