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 optimising their processes and evaluating their assets. We help to analyse markets and to develop viable and tailor-made strategies for the future. This includes supporting M&A activities, implementing climate targets, optimising portfolios or existing processes, and opening up new markets and business areas.

Strategic Management Consultancy Examples

Strategic company valuation as part of a succession plan for an energy supply company

Customer: Rail freight operator

SCI Verkehr supported an operator of rail freight transport and maintenance services with a strategic company valuation as part of a succession plan. In cooperation with a corporate finance specialist, potential development paths of the company were defined as cases and all company parts were then financially valued. As a result, these cases and the corresponding valuation of the market value were used as a basis for succession planning.

Development of a business model for a port train terminal

Customer: Port company

The project?s objective was to achieve a sustained increase in the turnover of a rail terminal in a German domestic port. To this end, SCI Verkehr (in co-operation with another management consultancy) worked out an implementation-oriented stepped concept. Principal components of the concept were the integration of the rail terminal in the port and logistics activities, an analysis of the market trends in rail freight transport (general cargo and wagon-load traffic) between 2000 and 2004 and the identification of suitable partners within the catchment area of the rail terminal. Based on the analysis, a modified business model and a concrete business plan for the years 2005-2010 was prepared.

Portfolio evaluation for refinancing

Customer:

On behalf of a leading leasing company, SCI Verkehr prepared a comprehensive market and evaluation report on a large European rail vehicle fleet. The fleet, consisting of passenger vehicles, locomotives and freight wagons, was valued using a cash flow-based approach and the valuation methodology and results documented in a comprehensive report.

Market Analyses Examples

Market forecast and analysis of the top markets for rail vehicles in Europe

Customer: Glass manufacturer

SCI Verkehr has summarised the market volumes of the top markets in the European rail vehicle market for a glass manufacturer. The focus was on current delivery figures and the forecast development of future deliveries.

Study of the Spanish and Portuguese freight wagon market

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr analysed and evaluated the market regions of Spain and Portugal with regard to the market players, the infrastructural conditions and freight wagon stocks. We provided a forecast of the expected market development and estimated and evaluated market entry possibilities.

market volumes and market driver for strategic business segment planning

Customer: Supplier

On behalf of a supplier group in the rail vehicle business, SCI Verkehr prepares market data for strategic business segment planning on a yearly basis. This encompasses the differentiation and analysis of market volumes and underlying drivers based on vehicle segments as well as world market regions.

Asset Valuations Examples

Valuation of dual-mode locomotive fleet

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr evaluated the market environment and the possible applications for dual-mode locomotives. Both flexible application possibilities due to the dual-mode drive (electric or diesel engine) and the respective application advantages of four and six-axle locomotives were examined in more detail.

Updated valuation of rail vehicle fleet

Customer:

On behalf of an international leasing company for rail vehicles, SCI Verkehr determined the value of a large fleet of locomotives and passenger vehicles. The valuation took into account the cost-based DRC valuation approach and the income-based DCF approach. SCI Verkehr also prepared a comprehensive supply and demand analysis.

Evaluation of the leasing market for locomotives in Southern Europe

Customer: Financial investor

On behalf of a financial investor, SCI Verkehr analysed and evaluated the Southern European leasing market for locomotives. In addition to a fleet analysis and competitive situation, a forecast of future demands was carried out and used to derive a business recommendation for the portfolio organisation of a locomotive pool.

Public Consulting Examples

Development of employment statistics in the logistics sector 2001-2003

Customer: last mile logistik netzwerk gmbh

Study of the development of logistics employment statistics in the network region of last-mile-logistik in comparison with the surrounding area, the Ruhr area, North Rhine Westphalia and Germany. The study looked at the employment levels both in the core sector of the logistics industry (transport, handling, warehousing) and also at the development of manning statistics in other industry and trade companies with logistic activities.

Schienengüterverkehrstag 2001 (Railway Freight Traffic Conference 2001)

Customer: Ministerium für Wohnungswesen, Städtebau und Verkehr des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt (Ministry for Housing, Town Planning, and Traffic of State Sachsen-Anhalt)

Because of the traffic problems on the road and the expected growth of traffic much hope, particularly in the field of freight traffic, is directed towards to the railways as a carrier for solving the transportation problems of the future. This was the background for the State of Sachsen-Anhalt to bring together, within the scope of a technical conference, decision makers in politics and science, consignors, and the transportation business, in order to develop initiatives for improving the efficiency and competitive capability of the railway freight traffic. SCI Verkehr has developed and implemented an agenda for this conference. It became possible to win high-ranking speakers from the economy, science, and politics. With more than 300 delegates the event was well received. Because of this success the State of Sachsen-Anhalt has decided to make the Railway Freight Traffic Conference a regular event. The Conference 2002 is scheduled for 5 and 6 September 2002.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Economic assessment of automation potentials in rail operation

Customer: Rail operator

SCI Verkehr prepares a cost driver analysis for operational processes which is aimed at evaluating automation potentials in the context of feasibility assessment and, thus, at enabling an investment decision regarding the digitalisation of processes.

Profitability audit e-bus procurement

Customer: Transport authority

SCI Verkehr evaluated the economic feasibility of the selected bids for a transport authority in the context of a procurement of new urban transport vehicles. To this purpose, SCI Verkehr evaluated the tender documents and carried out a price benchmark to determine standard market prices for e-buses and their charging infrastructure.

Process optimisations Examples

Supporting the reorganisation of the group strategy of a freight transport company

Customer: European rail freight operator

SCI Verkehr is supporting a leading European freight transport company in the reorganisation of its corporate strategy. In the process, all relevant internal and external factors for all forms of production in rail freight transport are examined and subjected to a strategic review. The aim is to redesign selected areas of the company in order to achieve greater economic efficiency and resilience. 

Coordination of offer drafting for an SPNV- tender

Customer: Transport company

SCI is accompanying the drafting of an offer in the context of an SPNV-route tender for an expanding transport company. Consultation on project coordination and support for the development of a general organizational, structural and operational model for future tenders are a part of the project. In addition, SCI Verkehr has elaborated the marketing and personnel structures as well as elements of the business concept.