Buying exceptional companies at fair prices
We employ a unique qualitative method of evaluating companies:
- Integrity of Management
- Employee Empowerment
- Teamwork
- Purpose and Passion
- Long-Term Focus
- Disciplined Capital Allocation
For over 25 years, our team has focused on investing in businesses that demonstrate these core values. We believe that buying great companies at fair prices can generate significant long term returns.
Our unique qualitative criteria helps identify companies that we believe continuously improve through stakeholder engagement.
Our Philosophy
Ignoring the pack, staying true to our principles
Our investing principles are simple:
- Ignore short term market fluctuations
- invest in great companies when the price is right
- Hold those companies as long as they adhere to our qualitative criteria
We have not wavered from these principles for over 20 years, and will not in the future.
What makes a "great" company? We invest on this assumption: that great managers can create a corporate culture of continuous improvement, getting the best out of each employee. The resulting customer and supplier loyalty, along with the breaking down of barriers within the company creates long term growth and profitability.
ESG Investing
Our stakeholder-oriented investment philosophy means we strive to invest in socially responsible learning organizations. Check out our quarterly letters and portfolio of investments for more information.
“When we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding managements, our favorite holding period is forever.”
Focusing on the long term
We have been investing in companies that believe strongly in our philosophy and the ability of companies that operate under these principles to produce wealth indefinitely into the future. If we believe a company continues to meet our criteria, our preferred holding period is forever.
At Front Street we are long term investors, not financial planners.
“Eating our own cooking”
Our own capital is invested in the same companies as we choose for our clients, ensuring that our interests are always aligned with our clients.
We love to talk about our philosophy! For more information, we invite you to contact us, or if you are feeling really adventurous — feel free to browse through recordings of our annual investor meetings.
View our Customer Relationship Summary View ADV Part 2A+2BThe Tarkio Fund (TARKX)
The Tarkio Fund, is a no load mutual fund with a 1.00% management fee and an initial investment minimum as low as $1,000. Detailed information on the fund's performance is available from any of the major fund rating platforms.
Learn More About Our Fund launch * By clicking the link in the button above, you will leave this site and be taken to the Tarkio Fund website.Investor Insights
Front Street Capital Management 2023 Investor Meeting
Front Street Capital Management 2022 Investor Meeting
Diving Deep to Discover the Value of Lean Companies with Cliff Ransom | The Lean Institute
Smart Money Podcast
Front Street Capital Management Investor Meeting 2019
A New Angle Podcast: Russ Piazza Invests in Culture
Front Street Capital Management Annual Investor Meeting 2018
Front Street Capital Management Annual Investor Meeting 2017
Front Street Capital Management Annual Investor Meeting 2016
Front Street Capital Management Annual Investor Meeting 2015
Warren Buffett: “What You Can Learn from My Real Estate Investments” – Fortune Magazine, 2014
At Front Street Capital, we are passionate about both learning & teaching. To learn more about how we invest and see examples of these principles, check out the Investor Insights page. Or reach out to learn more about how we invest.
Explore Investor InsightsWho We Are
Front Street Capital Management, Inc. is a registered investment adviser serving clients with a long term investment focus. We are the portfolio manager to the Tarkio Fund, a no-load mutual fund (TARKX), and provide professional management of individual accounts, IRA and retirement assets, 401(k)s, trusts and foundations on a fee only basis.
Russ Piazza
Portfolio Manager/Tarkio Fund Co-ManagerMichele Blood
Operations ManagerGinger Belker
Chief Compliance OfficerJeremy Brown
Development Manager/Tarkio Fund Co-ManagerDominic Piazza
Marketing Manager/Tarkio Fund Co-ManagerContact Us
Suite 205
Missoula, MT 59802