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

Company assessment to identify a strategic partner

Customer: Industrial group

On behalf of an industrial client, SCI Verkehr analysed and evaluated various companies which are worth considering for a cooperation in the field of after sales services. In addition to the product portfolio, particularly economic figures are of importance.

Commercial due diligence of locomotive lessor in Eastern Europe

Customer: Private equity investor

On behalf of a private equity investor, SCI Verkehr carried out a Commercial Due Diligence of a locomotive lessor in the Eastern European rail freight transport market. This Commercial Due Diligence also comprised an in-depth asset evaluation of used locomotives by means of the DCF and DRC methodology, which provided a detailed analysis of the special situations in individual Eastern European markets.

Market Analyses Examples

Strategic consulting for a leasing company

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr provided strategic advice to a leasing company on the expansion of its portfolio. For this purpose, various assets and markets were evaluated. In addition to analysing the strengths and weaknesses of potential locomotive types, supply and demand were assessed in various European markets. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr also spoke with potential customers of the leasing company.

Analysis of global installed bases of vehicles and switches

Customer: Supplier of operating material

On behalf of a globally active supplier of operating materials, SCI Verkehr analysed the global installed bases of vehicles and switches. The data delivered were used for the strategic plans.

Market overview European locomotive leasing fleet

Customer: Leasing companies

SCI Verkehr supported an association consisting of leasing companies in presenting the European locomotive leasing market. Using the SCI DATABASE, SCI Verkehr provided a market overview of the locomotive leasing fleet.

Asset Valuations Examples

Asset valuation of diesel locomotives

Customer: Financing company

For the issuing of a railway fund, SCI Verkehr analysed market prices, rental rates and asset values of a potential vehicle pool for new and used diesel locomotives on behalf of an international financing company. The analysis was made with the aid of a valuation approach which combines market and technical influence factors and in doing so takes into consideration the reutilisation of the vehicles.

Value appraisal for new EMUs

Customer: Private European railway company

On behalf of a private railway operator, SCI Verkehr assessed an EMU fleet to be procured and supported the client regarding the residual values to be expected.

Asset valuation of intermodal wagons

Customer: Freight wagon leasing company

On behalf of a European freight wagon leasing company, SCI Verkehr compiled an asset valuation of container and pocket wagons. The current market values of the wagons were determined by a asset value and capitalised earnings method.

Public Consulting Examples

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.

Relevance and Perspectives of Rail Traffic - Campaign for Innovation and Employment in the German Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt

Customer: Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Traffic of Saxony-Anhalt

Analysis and assessment of rail related employment, trends of development, strengths and weaknesses of rail related companies in Saxony-Anhalt, options for action.

Feasibility study for the creation of a logistics competence center (InLog) in the eastern Ruhr district

Customer: Hamm Society for the Promotion of Economic Development

In the context of the eastern Ruhr district?s ?Initiatve Logistik,? the Hamm, Unna and Dortmund Societies for the Promotion of Economic Development are planning a model project for the development of a logistics competence center called ?InLog.? Within this competence center, the service areas of companies interested in settling in the area would be combined. A feasibility study outlined company services in concrete terms and examined inter-community hosting possibilities as and well as potential private sector participation. In addition, the study determined sensible legal- and corporate models, including a cost estimate and funding possibilities. It also proposed a master plan for the realisation of the project.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Market study on freight wagon leasing

Customer:

SCI Verkehr supported a newly-founded leasing company by preparing a market study and analysing standard market input parameters for a business plan.

Maintenance costs passenger coaches

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr has determined maintenance costs for passenger coaches as input for a business plan for a young leasing company. For this purpose, the life cycle costs for different wagon types and operating scenarios were calculated.

Performance comparison of selected European railway companies

Customer: European railway company

As a result of new EU regulations, the European state railways have seen some very extensive reforms since the beginning of the 90s. The objectives of these reforms were to improve transport services and the quality of rail transport and to reduce the strain on public budgets. On behalf of a European state railway, SCI Verkehr analysed the track records and development of selected state railways with regard to these objectives. SCI Verkehr made the comparison drawing upon specific key figures, with the help of which we assessed the objectives listed.

Process optimisations Examples

Improvement of logistics processes at a site in Baden-Württemberg

Customer: Global player in the beverage industry

A global player in the beverage industry is looking to optimise its logistics processes at a combined production and logistics site in Baden-Württemberg. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to re-work storage processes and logistics interfaces with other divisions such as production, distribution and sales in a collaboration with the management, works committee and employees, and to document the results afterwards.

Circle Line / Public-Private-Partnership in public rail transport

Customer: Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr AöR (Transportation authority)

"Circle Line" is the first rail transport project in Germany to be realised primarily as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). In a consortium comprising DEPFA BANK, the law firm Kapellmann und Partner and the engineering office Vössing GmbH, SCI Verkehr is subjecting the plans to a "PPP suitability test" and preparing the realisation of the first construction phase up to the tendering procedure. SCI Verkehr is carrying out the project management and market research as well as addressing potential interested parties.

Assessment of planned location changes

Customer: Global player in food industry

A leading company in the food industry is planning to close individual, independently operating logistics locations with storages and commissioning in Germany or to re-utilise them as pure cross dock storage. To this end, SCI Verkehr is carrying out a cross check, is providing important advice on potential risks of the planned concept and is suggesting possible amendments to the plan developed by the customer.