Strategic business consulting for the railway and logistics industry

SCI Verkehr is a medium-sized, sustainability-oriented consultancy focussing on strategic issues in the international rail and logistics business. We support our business partners in optimising their processes and evaluating their assets. We help to analyse markets and develop sustainable and tailor-made strategies for the future. This includes, among other things: Accompanying M&A activities, realising climate targets, optimising the portfolio or existing processes, and opening up new markets and business areas.

Strategic Management Consultancy Examples

Target analysis for an infrastructure manufacturer

Customer: Infrastructure manufacturer

For a manufacturer in the field of infrastructure, SCI Verkehr carried out a targeted analysis of potential takeover candidates in the UK. Following an initial market screening, SCI Verkehr in consultation with the client compiled a shortlist of prioritised companies. These companies were analysed specifically with regard to portfolio match and takeover potential.

Consultancy support for an acquisition in the rolling stock leasing segment

Customer: Asian conglomerate

SCI Verkehr supported an Asian conglomerate in the acquisition of a suitable target in the European leasing business. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr analysed the development of the leasing and rail transport markets in Eastern and Western Europe, examined and evaluated selected companies with regard to their assets as well as market and competitive positioning and forecast the future business development to be expected for the individual targets. SCI Verkehr supported the company in the preparatory measures for a due diligence as well as in the due diligence itself.

Transport and vehicle market structures of a selected type of goods

Customer: European leasing company

On behalf of a major European vehicle leasing company, SCI Verkehr analysed the transport structures of selected types of goods on a product level and the subsequent market potential. A special focus was placed on the analysis of vehicle-specific demand structures with regard to the main transported good and possible substitutes.

Market Analyses Examples

Economy and member survey logistics Hamburg

Customer: Logistics initiative Hamburg

Since 2009, SCI Verkehr has been conducting a member survey on the economic development of the logistics sector in Hamburg for the logistics initiative Logistikinitiative Hamburg on an annual basis. Collected data were compared to the SCI/ logisctics barometer and were situated into the national context. In 2020, the survey was conducted again and presented in the context of the initiatives general assembly.

Freight wagon market research

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr has analysed the development of the freight wagon market of different segments, such as intermodal, steel, automotive, etc. Moreover, it has analysed innovative wagon concepts and components that are expected to change the market in the medium and long terms.

Strategy workshop support for a rail vehicle manufacturer

Customer: Rail vehicle manufacturer

For the preparation of an internal strategy seminar on behalf of a rail vehicle manufacturer, SCI Verkehr developed various market and competition analyses.

Asset Valuations Examples

Asset valuation Electric Multiple Units (EMU)

Customer: Railway operator

SCI Verkehr assessed the fair value of a fleet of electric multiple units (EMU) for a passenger transport operator using the DRC method. The analysis focused on market developments in German local passenger rail transport, long-term deployment opportunities for the fleet and the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the transport markets and companies.

Assessment of new electric locomotives in continental Europe

Customer: Leasing financer

In the context of refinancing, SCI Verkehr assesses current and future market value of electric mainline locomotives in continental Europe. Assessment of the locomotives is conducted by means of the cost-based DRC method, taking into consideration the vehicle-specific supply and demand situation. Special focus is also put on different fields of application besides the locomotive´s current operation in rail freight transport.

Valuation of used electric mainline locomotives

Customer:

On behalf of an operator, SCI Verkehr evaluated a fleet of used mainline locomotives with electric drive. The value of the locomotives was determined by means of a net asset value method, whereby revisions and the replacement of components that have already taken place were also included in the valuation.

Public Consulting Examples

Workshops concerning noise and pollution problems

Customer: Allianz pro Schiene

On behalf of Allianz pro Schiene e.V., SCI Verkehr is professionally assisting the conception and implementation of three workshops on the subject of ?Environment and Rail Transport?. The range of tasks includes selecting the speakers, support in terms of speakers? inquiries, compiling and producing the meeting documents as well as looking after the speakers and participants on site.

Extension of an intermodal transport transhipment terminal in a German domestic port

Customer: Transhipment company

The operator of a transhipment facility for intermodal transport in a German domestic port has seen considerable volume increases in its transport relationship with a regional company of the automobile industry. The operator wants to face this development with larger transport and warehousing capacities and therefore intends to introduce more efficient transhipment equipment and change the layout of the terminal areas. SCI Verkehr GmbH is creating an appropriate application for financial aid as per the German federal government?s guideline for intermodal transport, and is supporting the preliminary examination to clarify the question of location.

Research project on the further development of single-wagon transport in Germany

Customer: Federal research institution

SCI Verkehr supported a research institution of the EBA in considering the further development of single wagonload transport in Germany with a special focus on innovation. Two other management consultancies supported the project on a subcontract basis.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Cash flow model for a leasing company

Customer: Financial institution

SCI Verkehr developed a cash flow model for a financial institution for a European leasing company. The model calculates the companys expected profits until 2030 under market-realistic assumptions. It also calculates ratios such as loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratio based on a valuation of the fleet.

Technical/economical assessment of new development and upgrading of a testing centre

Customer: Public sector

On behalf of national and regional authorities, SCI Verkehr examined the new development and upgrading of a testing centre for rolling stock and infrastructure components in an EU country. This primarily involved the analysis of future test requirements and test potential as well as transferring this information into a technical/economical analysis to identify the optimum upgrade level for the current volume of funding.

Process optimisations Examples

Process and organizational consulting in IT

Customer:

A global player in the beverage industry is planning to restructure its IT and support departments and subsequently establish them in Europe. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to review and further develop this strategy, and to accompany the negotiations with the employee representatives.

Supporting the restructuring of a leading European rail freight company

Customer: European rail freight company

A leading European rail freight company has to reorganize itself completely in terms of profitability, efficiency and reliability. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to support the restructuring process actively and to bring in expertise in railway operation, processes and strategy. Focus is also put on close involvement in terms of co-determination.

Investigation of site closures

Customer: Global player in the food industry

With the objective of realising rationalisation potential in distribution and warehousing, our client planned to consolidate three logistics sites into one central location near to production. In order to achieve this, the existing logistics site had to be restored using construction measures. SCI Verkehr as a neutral expert was involved in the decision-making process with regard to necessary investments and performed a cross checking of assumptions and calculations made. The expert's report focused on the personnel and investments required.