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

Project management reorganisation sales

Customer: International transport company

On behalf of an international transport company, SCI Verkehr took on the management of a project entailing reorganising the sales department. The project is aimed at developing a uniform sales organisation as well as professionalising the public image. SCI Verkehr supports the customer in organising the project and in terms of content-related sparring.

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.

European rail transportation company

Customer: Analysis of supply difficulties of rail cars in Europe

On behalf of a European transportation company, SCI Verkehr analysed delivery difficulties for Intercity rail cars in Europe from 2000. Special emphasis was placed on the identification of causes and deducible systematic problems of occurring delivery delays. The transport company wants to use the results for risk minimisation measures for future vehicle purchases.

Market Analyses Examples

The market for leased freight wagons in Continental Europe

Customer: International investor

On behalf of an international investor, SCI Verkehr examines the European market for (leased) freight wagons. The project represents the first phase of a due diligence. Focus areas of the analysis include transport markets (demand) as well as assets and their owners.

Vehicle fleets in current PSO contracts

Customer: Consultancy company

On behalf of a customer, SCI Verkehr compiles an overview of all rail vehicles currently used in regional rail transport contracts. For each concession, the multiple units or series or locomotive-hauled sets are listed.

The Chinese market for rail vehicle components

Customer: Component manufacturer

SCI Verkehr provided a leading international manufacturer of rail vehicle components with in-depth insight into the Chinese market for rail vehicle components. For this, SCI Verkehr analysed the current numbers and development dynamics as a preparation for the client's internal decision-making process.

Asset Valuations Examples

Leasing fleet valuation update

Customer: European locomotives lessor

On behalf of a European leasing company, SCI Verkehr assesses the entire locomotive fleet comprising diesel and electric mainline locomotives as well as shunting locomotives. Valuation is conducted by means of the cost-based DRC approach and by taking into account the current market situation of the locomotives.

Annual valuation update of multi-system locomotives

Customer: European bank

On behalf of a financier, SCI Verkehr valued a portfolio of new multi-system locomotives for transalpine transit traffic using the cost-based RC evaluation methodology according to IVS 2020.

Value appraisal mainline diesel locomotives

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr compiled a value appraisal for four-axle mainline diesel locomotives for operation in European cross-border transport.

Public Consulting Examples

City-compatible location- and area conception for transport- and distribution trade in the region of Hamburg

Customer: City development authority

Idea and concept study on behalf of the Hamburg city development authority. The working group was composed of: Institute for Local and Regional Transportation Research e.V. (ISRT), Coast Planning Institute (PIK) and SCI Engineer Services GmbH (SCI).

Analysis and assessment of the application of funds in short-distance passenger transport financing in the German states.

Customer: Allianz pro Schiene

The controlled and efficient application of provided funds is becoming ever more important in short-distance passenger transport. Within the scope of the discussion in transport politics regarding the future further development of short-distance passenger transport, it is of great interest as to what extent the funds available to the states are to be applied ?sensibly? to strengthen short-distance passenger transport. The analysis of the application of funds for short-distance passenger transport in the federal states is of particular importance. As part of the project for Allianz pro Schiene, SCI Verkehr examined the application of funds and evaluated this in a publicly accessible final report.

Logistik Initiative Hamburg

Customer:

SCI produces an annual survey and analysis of data on the general economic situation and the impact of the Covid19- pandemic on companies in the logistics industry. Members' assessments of the initiative's general work are also surveyed.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Strategic concept freight wagon division

Customer: Railway operator

SCI Verkehr supports a leading railway operator in the conceptual reorganisation of essential parts of rail freight transport. For this purpose, available concepts are reviewed and new approaches to advancing this field of business are developed and evaluated. It is aimed at achieving higher efficiency in this segment by reorganising responsibilities and processes in production and sales.

Market entry strategy passenger transport market

Customer: European railway company

On behalf of a railway transport company, SCI Verkehr prepares a growth strategy for the European market. In this context, specific potentials for the company in terms of PSO contracts as well as in open access are assessed with regards to feasibility and economic efficiency. All parts of value creation through transport services are considered. As a result, SCI Verkehr outlined different scenarios of market entry.

Environmental comparison - railway transport

Customer: Allianz pro Schiene

Working for Allianz pro Schiene and in co-operation with the IFEU institute in Heidelberg, SCI Verkehr is preparing the evaluation parameters for an "environmental comparison - rail transport" and their transformation to a transparent and (in view of different framework conditions) just measuring system. It is intended for use as tool for assessing railway transport companies and their rail vehicles in terms of environmental compatibility and under a public competition also as a marketing tool in favor of rail-bound transport.

Process optimisations Examples

Analysis and optimization of operational processes in rail freight transport

Customer: railway operator

SCI Verkehr supported a railway operator in optimizing operational processes in rail freight transport. In addition to the technical moderation of the process to identify optimization potential in several workshops, SCI Verkehr also carried out an inventory to analyse weaknesses in the process flow.

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 .

Development of intermodal transport terminal

Customer: Engineering firm

A Dutch logistics group is interested in setting up a terminal for road/rail transfer. The terminal focuses on seaport hinterland traffic of North Sea ports. SCI Verkehr was tasked with testing the feasibility in cooperation with partners (with special regard to rail connectivity) and working out a grant application according to the intermodal transport guidelines