The true measure of success for Montana Rail Link is short and long term profitability. Our common goal is to enhance profitability by managing costs and increasing business volume. Our business philosophy is Helping our Customers Grow and Prosper. We will always strive to be the lowest cost provider of transportation services.

All employees are expected to recognize that we work in a Service Industry and a People Business. Our people are our most important asset. We create an atmosphere that demands results; with the attainment of those results, profit sharing rewards employee effort.

Our strategy is to offer the best available value for our customers' transportation and logistics dollars. We accomplish this by focusing on the quality of our service and the cost of our operation. In general, we prefer variable costs to fixed costs because variable costs will allow the company to survive any down market or economy.

Only a productive workforce with a commitment to excellence will allow us to remain a low cost producer. Then, as a viable company, we have the flexibility to lower prices to retain or increase market share, or to increase prices to enhance margins and improve profitability.

Safety and productivity complement one another. Our company is committed to supporting employees' efforts in order to operate our railroad free of accidents and injuries. Given that level of commitment and support, employees are expected to accept the responsibility for their safety and the safety of their co-workers.

Management style is the key to developing and maintaining productive employees. We use a participatory management style to challenge each employee:

• High performance expectations measured by employee evaluations

• Integrity, high ethical standards and rigorous compliance with laws and regulations

• Open door policy and a willingness to listen

• Focus on company rather than departmental individual objectives

• Standardized policies and procedures

• Decision-making is pushed down rather than up

• Attitude survey to solve problems, improve communications and measure effectiveness

• Management training program provided to enhance leadership skills