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

Ongoing strategic advice to a logistics service provider on the development of rail products

Customer: Logistics Group

On the basis of its own preliminary studies, SCI Verkehr, together with partners, is supporting a globally active logistics group in the development of its own rail strategy. The activities take place within the framework of the implementation of the group's CO2 targets. Internal quantities are analysed and concrete strategic approaches to shifting are developed.

Assessment of the current the situation of regional transport scheduling of a shipping agency

Customer: Shipping group

A medium-sized shipping agency is gradually developing its business activities in the regional bulk and part cargo market in Germany. In this context, the management is interested in optimising the internal structure for the in-house scheduling. SCI Verkehr has been assigned to assess the current situation of the regional transport scheduling on site to develop operative and lean structures.

Market study freight wagon leasing for a Commercial Due Diligence

Customer: Infrastructure fund

On behalf of a leading investment company, SCI Verkehr compiled a market study of freight wagon leasing in Europe. This study is used for a investment decision on a pre-due diligence process by the client. Besides a market overview, current and future demand and supply of freight wagons are presented. Market competition and development of specific indicators for leasing companies, such as wagon prices, cost structure and utilization rates, are also analysed.

Market Analyses Examples

Annual update of market figures on the European components market

Customer: component manufacturer

SCI Verkehr supports a component manufacturer in the chassis/drivetrain sector with an annual update on the European vehicle market and the expected sales of relevant components.

Asset Database of European Rolling Stock

Customer: Component manufacturer

For its spare parts business and After-Sales, a component manufacturer commissioned SCI Verkehr to draw up a database of European rolling stock. It will be programmed in SQL and will be linked with the customer´s SAP system.

Competition analysis for rail vehicle components

Customer:

For an Asian manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analyses the competitive landscape in the global market for rail vehicle door systems.

Asset Valuations Examples

Evaluation of the revenue opportunities of a leasing portfolio

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of an investor already active in the rolling stock leasing segment, SCI Verkehr performs a regular analysis of the leasing revenues to be expected for the entire vehicle portfolio. Depending on the fleet structure and the market demand expected, the leasing revenues and downtimes of the vehicles are assessed. These serve as the foundation for the evaluation of the revenue opportunities and the business plan.

Valuation of single- and double-deck EMUs

Customer: Vehicle manufacturer

On behalf of a rolling stock manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analysed one single-deck and one double-deck EMU from its portfolio with regard to their value development. SCI Verkehr evaluated the specific field of operation of the vehicles as well as potential secondary markets in Europe in the event of reuse.

Valuation update of a European electric locomotive fleet

Customer: Rail vehicle lessor

SCI Verkehr prepared a fleet valuation for single, multi-system and dual-mode locomotives for a European locomotive lessor. An income-based valuation approach was chosen for the valuation. This year, the focus was on integrating ESG criteria into the valuation method.

Public Consulting 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.

North Rhine-Westphalia Railway Initiative

Customer: North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Transport, Energy and Regional Planning

Conception and organization of the North Rhine-Westphalia Railway Initiative between 2003 and 2005. In the second project phase starting in 2004, a founded analysis of qualification requirements of the rail transport economy is being conducted. The recruitment of young experts is also being encouraged, and a specialized science conference in North Rhine-Westphalia will be prepared and supported.

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.

Profitability Analyses Examples

LCC-/Feasibility Study of Modern Freight Wagons

Customer: Federal Ministry

In the context of a research project, SCI Verkehr analyses the efficiency, i.e. Life Cycle Costs (LCC) of different freight wagons in operation. Therefore, a LCC model is designed which particularly assesses the use of innovative components in an economical manner. Not only investment and operating costs, but the entire freight wagon in operation is assessed. In doing so, the cost/benefit analysis is not restricted to wagon owners, and advantages for operators, shippers and the environment can also be taken into account and evaluated.

Support for a liquidation process

Customer: Asset appraiser

SCI Verkehr supports a liquidation process of a freight wagon fleet in Eastern Europe. It analyses the economic feasibility of the process and checks the plausibility of costs in different scenarios.

Profitability audit vehicle procurement of e-buses

Customer: Public Transport Authority

SCI Verkehr assisted a transport authority with the procurement of new electric buses, assessing the economic viability and eligibility for funding of the project. Based on the tender documents, SCI Verkehr examined the cost structure, compared prices with market benchmarks and assessed the eligibility of the planned expenditure for funding. The analysis provided a clear and reliable basis for decision-making on the allocation of subsidies.

Process optimisations Examples

Support in restructuring process in rail freight transport

Customer: Market-leading freight transport company

Against the background of the global economic and financial crisis, a short-term need for a reaction and restructuring arose for a leading company in the freight transport sector. SCI Verkehr GmbH supported the client as a professional expert in close consultation with management. We reviewed the measures developed, compiled alternative scenarios and provided professional support in the negotiations.

Expert support for planned logistical changes

Customer: Midsized brewery

A midsized brewery planned to make comprehensive changes to its logistical structures based upon the expertise of an external advisor. This mainly concerned the warehouses at the production site. SCI Verkehr carried out a cross-check of the assumptions and calculations. Furthermore, SCI Verkehr accompanied the dialogue process between the works council and management on the basis of a technical expertise.

Examining the shutdown of a logistics location

Customer: Global player in food industry

A major company in the food industry is intending to close a location in Germany and replace it with a pure cross dock to slim down stocks and save costs. However, the supply quality for customers must not suffer. The task is to examine and assess the planned measures with regard to plausibility and their logistical effect.