Strategic business consulting for the railway and logistics industry

SCI Verkehr is an independent and highly specialised management consultancy focusing on strategic issues in the international rail and logistics business. We support our business partners in industry and politics by analysing markets and developing viable and tailor-made strategies for the future. This includes asset valuation, support for M&A activities, optimisation of portfolios and existing processes, as well as the development of new markets and business areas.

Strategic Management Consultancy Examples

Management presentation leasing market locomotives

Customer: International rolling stock lessor

For a management review, SCI Verkehr prepared an overview of the most important parameters of demand and supply for leased locomotives, focussing on the development of rail freight transport and the orders already placed and expected. 

The Chinese market for rail vehicles

Customer: Rail vehicle manufacturer

The Chinese railway market remains the worldwide largest and most dynamic single market. A leading European manufacturer of rail vehicles requires an in-depth view of current market data as well as strategic trends. SCI Verkehr analysed the current data and the developmental dynamics of the market to prepare the internal decision-making processes of the client.

Commercial and technical due diligence locomotive portfolio

Customer: Financier

On behalf of a financial investor, SCI Verkehr supports the company in the context of a due diligence process with regard to technical and commercial matters. This includes asset evaluation of an electro locomotive fleet for the European market, technical inspection of a representative part of the fleet as well as corresponding documentation.

Market Analyses Examples

Company analysis rolling stock manufacturers and onboard signalling suppliers

Customer: Railway technology company

SCI Verkehr analysed 50 selected companies active in the rolling stock OEM and onboard signalling business for an international company active in the railway business. Published key financial figures, reference projects, estimates of market shares and future strategies of these companies were the main components of the company fact sheets.

Logistics service provider?s location selection

Customer: Mid-sized logistics service provider

Consultation of a mid-sized logistics service provider on the selection of a new location in the Ruhr district. Evaluation of property and transport connections as well as creation of a purpose-serving railway. The appraisal will include a comparison of various modes of transportation. The final evaluation of the plan partially depends on whether or not the client has a possibility for state funding.

Analysis of German maintenance market

Customer: Vehicle manufacturer

Commissioned by a globally active industrial manufacturer, the maintenance capacity of the short-distance passenger transport market in Germany is analysed and assessed. In addition, existing and prospective market access conditions are evaluated. Recommendations for a successful strategic positioning as well as different courses of action for the company are also being compiled.

Asset Valuations Examples

Valuation of passenger rail vehicles

Customer: Rolling stock financing company

For one of the leading European financial services providers for rail vehicles, SCI Verkehr evaluated a fleet of locomotives, passenger vehicles and high-speed trains. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr used a specially developed valuation model that takes into account various performance parameters of the vehicles.

Asset valuation of diesel multiple unit

Customer: Railway operator

SCI Verkehr calculated the fair value of a diesel multiple unit (DMU) on behalf of a transport operator. The value was determined using the cost approach for tangible assets (DRC method). For this purpose, a benchmark was carried out to determine a current replacement value and an analysis of market potential for DMU.

Fleet valuation InnoWaggons

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr prepared a valuation update for a fleet of InnoWaggons for a German leasing company. The valuation was carried out using the income-based DCF and cost-based RC method according to IVS 2022. Special focus was placed on the value development curves and the residual values, under consideration of the customer\'s financing structure.

Public Consulting Examples

Modern Railways Shanghai

Customer: Conference society

Contact to and acquisition of railway engineering companies for their participation in the international ?Modern Railways? conference in Shanghai, September 22-25, 2003.

Economic barometer for logistics in Hamburg

Customer: Logistikinitiative Hamburg

SCI Verkehr surveyed the members of ?Logistikinitiative Hamburg? on its business development over the past year (2007) and their expectations for the coming year (2008). The results were compared with the monthly analyses of the Germany-wide SCI/logistics barometer. This comparison gave rise to the economic barometer for logistics in Hamburg. ?Logistikinitiative Hamburg? uses this barometer as an important indicator for the development and success of its own activities.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Support CDD to an Intermodal Terminal

Customer: strategic investor

SCI Verkehr supported a strategic investor in its commercial due diligence on an intermodal terminal (rail-road) in Germany. This involved accompanying the development of the investor's valuation approach, assessing operational benefits/opportunities and analysing development potential.

Supporting change processes and personnel planning of a rail freight transport company

Customer: Rail freight transport company

A leading provider of rail freight transport services is planning to reorganise its customer support according to market requirements. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to evaluate envisaged and partly already implemented measures and to support coordinating personnel planning in terms of participation .

Further development of a rail infrastructure manager’s business model

Customer: Rail infrastructure manager

A public rail infrastructure manager (terminal and tracks) envisages further business development and better financial positioning. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to submit an application on increasing track fees - based on an in depth status analysis - to the federal railway authority on behalf of the company.

Process optimisations Examples

Reorganisation of logistical and administrative processes at storage facilities

Customer: Commercial company

An important German commercial company gradually bundled its storage structures (five locations) into one central company unit. Within the course of the integration of the fourth location into the new structures, administrative and logistical processes had to be standardised and prepared for a later ISO certification. SCI Verkehr has organised an operational excellence process with management, local managers and staff to develop the best possible solution for the organisation. In this process new standardised procedures have been developed, documented and then introduced as compulsory. SCI Verkehr has overseen the implementation of the new working methods at several locations on-site.

Optimization of the Land-Sea Interface as part of a maritime network group

Customer:

Investigation on behalf of the SH Technology Foundation

Support in compiling an offer for the rout—related tender of local rail transport services in the Bielefeld region (North Rhine Westphalia)

Customer: Stadtentwicklungsbehörde der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg

SCI Verkehr has supported a railway transport company in compiling a competitive wettbewerbsfähigen transport offer. We have compiled of all important documents as well as a marketing-strategic consultancy for compiling the offer. The client has been awarded the contract.