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

Expert discussions for vendors due diligence

Customer:

SCI Verkehr accompanied the Q&A process on market and strategy issues in rail vehicle leasing as part of a vendor due diligence, and conducted expert discussions with interested companies.

Preparation of bidding documents for tenders in West Germany

Customer: Private railway company

SCI Verkehr supported a private railway transport company strategically and operatively in calculating and devising a proposal for transport services in Germany. The aim was to submit an attractive, innovative and inexpensive offer for the railway sector which would allow the client to compete successfully for the transport contract and ensure sustainable economic success and customer satisfaction. SCI Verkehr carried out the conceptional, technical and editorial planning as well as operative and organizational support.

Investor discussions

Customer: European leasing company

In the context of a due diligence of a European leasing company, SCI Verkehr held discussions with investors on the current and expected future market situation in European transport and leasing markets.

Market Analyses Examples

Workshop on public procurement strategies for PTA

Customer: Financier

SCI Verkehr conducted a workshop with a financier on the award strategies of public transport authorities in regional passenger transport. The topics covered were new vehicle procurement, vehicle financing, concept and quality rating as well as the effects of the Abellio crisis on the future strategies of the regional rail transport authorities in Germany.

Market research freight wagon components

Customer: Manufacturer of freight wagons

On behalf of a European freight wagon manufacturer, SCI Verkehr carried out research and a brief analysis of components in the North American market.

Market analysis wheels and suspension components

Customer: International railway technology group

On behalf of a multi-national railway technology group, SCI Verkehr analysed the European market for rail vehicle wheels. The focus was on the analysis of wheels delivered differentiated by the following customer groups: operator, manufacturer and leasing company. The analysis also comprised an overview of the important players including production capacities and output.

Asset Valuations Examples

Asset evaluation of freight wagons in the UK

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company SCI Verkehr evaluated new intermodal wagons and powder wagons for rail freight transport in the UK. The project included an evaluation by means of a DRC and DCF approach as well as an analysis of possibilities for re-using in Europe.

Valuation update of a locomotive portfolio

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a European leasing company, SCI Verkehr valued a portfolio of modern shunting and universal locomotives. Both a DCF as well as a RC valuation was carried out according to the IVS 2020 standard. 

Valuation of a European rail vehicle portfolio

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a European leasing company, SCI Verkehr valued an extensive portfolio of freight transport and passenger transport vehicles. A DCF valuation of the both used and newly acquired vehicles was carried out according to the IVS standard (2020).

Public Consulting Examples

Economic survey logistics Hamburg

Customer: Logistics initiative Hamburg

Since 2009, SCI Verkehr GmbH has carried out an annual survey of the members of the logistics initiative group "Logistikinitiative Hamburg" regarding the economic development of the logistics market in Hamburg. The data collected is then compared with the SCI/Logistics Barometer and therefore put in a national context. In 2014, members were surveyed again. The results were presented as part of the initiative member´s meeting.

Situational report "Inland waterway crafts in Poland 2002"

Customer: Consulting company

The situation for inland waterway crafts in Poland was researched and analysed for the BMVBW, which was examining the situation of inland waterway crafts in selected European countries. The report describes the waterway network, craft fleets, relevant inland waterway craft companies and transport services in Poland. The profitability of inland waterway crafts is generally represented on the basis of specific individual cases.

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.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Profitability audit LRV 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 light rail vehicles (LRV). To this end, SCI Verkehr evaluated the tender documents and carried out a price benchmark to determine market prices for LRV.

Innovative drives for rail vehicles

Customer: Federal Ministry of Transport

On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport, SCI Verkehr investigated the applicability of innovative drives for rail vehicles that run on non-electrified lines. In addition to economic efficiency, changes relevant to the environment (e.g. emission reduction) were also evaluated.

Process optimisations Examples

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.

Strategic realignment of leading European freight railway

Customer: Leading European freight railway

The commissioning railway company active in European rail freight transport is in an economically strained situation with clearly decreasing market shares, declining transport services and unsatisfactory performance. Defined objectives of the company are to increase production stability, reorganise operations of sales and production as well as increasing productivity and economic improvement of selected areas of operation. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to monitor and accompany the process as expert consultant.