The case

Martin Haefner, owner of car importer AMAG and shareholder of Swiss Steel, Autoneum and Rieter and who is one of Switzerland’s richest citizens, has set up a foundation with his wife Marianne.

Source: swissinfo & Zefix

The commentary

“The non-profit Martin + Marianne Haefner Foundation, based in Zurich, is part of their succession planning*, (…) and the foundation will one day hold all company shares.” Haefner spokesperson Aloys Hirzel told the news agency AWP on Tuesday, confirming an article that had been published in the Luzerner Zeitung.” Hirzel went on to explain that the assets of Martin and Marianne Haefner, including the company holdings, would be held by the foundation only after the death of the two founders.
*(One can presume that the tool is also used as a planning instrument in the succession planning in case the inheritance tax initiative is adopted)

The foundation’s assets are to be used for charitable purposes, primarily in Switzerland, in four areas of activity: science and technology, combatting absolute poverty, culture and biodiversity of flora and fauna.

According to the commercial register, the main focus of donations will be on science and technology as well as combatting poverty and promoting women.

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