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

Reorientation of the corporate strategy

Customer:

SCI Verkehr reviewed the decision-making processes of a major rail freight operator in Europe. Based on the stocktaking and a review, recommendations were derived for a repositioning of the strategy with a view to a larger market share.

Model development bonus for drivers

Customer: Beverage logistics company

[in metres] and concrete-catenary poles [in units] in Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands and Sweden by 2020 as a foundation for a reliable strategic planning.

Implementation of changes in the organisation of logistics management

Customer: Global player in the beverage industry

A global player in the beverage industry wants to streamline the management structures of its German logistics sites and position them sustainably. After carrying out an implementation project in two pilot regions of Germany, SCI Verkehr made the migration into a new uniform management structure in two other sales regions. The project was carried out in constant coordination with relevant management levels as well as employee representatives.

Market Analyses Examples

Market investigation: Railway sleepers in Europe

Customer: Railway sleeper manufacturer

SCI Verkehr supported a European manufacturer of railway sleepers with an investigation of the overall market (Europe) for sleepers with a focus on wooden sleepers. National and European regulations were taken into account and the expected development of demand for wooden sleepers was presented.

Rolling stock market analysis Turkey

Customer: Asian Group

On behalf of a client, SCI Verkehr compiled information on the rolling stock market in Turkey: In addition to fleet size and continuing procurements, the estimation of the future market development was of importance.

Benchmark analysis for product and competition performance of multiple units

Customer: Vehicle manufacturer

On behalf of a vehicle manufacturer, SCI Verkehr has collected data concerning customer satisfaction and customers? requirements of railway companies regarding the supply of passenger coaches in several countries. The results portray an analysis of the weaknesses and strengths of individual manufacturers of regional and long-distance trains, which provides information on the optimisation potential of products (LCC, fittings, etc.) as well distribution and after sales services.

Asset Valuations Examples

Valuation of a fleet of modular wagons

Customer: European leasing company

SCI Verkehr carried out a valuation for a modern freight wagon fleet on behalf of a European leasing company. Particular focus was put on the modular design of the wagons. The valuation was carried out using the cost-based RC and the income-based DCF method according to IVS 2022. In addition, SCI Verkehr provided the value development of the fleet over the next 15 years.

Valuation of a freight wagon portfolio

Customer: Freight wagon investor

On behalf of an investor, SCI Verkehr appraised a freight wagon portfolio based on both the DCF approach as well as the DRC approach, meaning based on revenue as well as replacement costs.

Update input parameters collateral valuation method

Customer: Financer

SCI Verkehr creates an update of the existing collateral valuation method for rolling stock. In this context, value-over-time, market assessments and reuse probabilities at home and abroad are reviewed. In addition, an analysis of price development and leasing rates of selected reference vehicles is provided.

Public Consulting Examples

Logistics Report NEW.S

Customer: Social partner project NEW.S

Compilation of a logistics report for the food industry in North Rhine-Westphalia. Analysis and weaknesses assessment of the logistics chains in the food industry. Compilation of measures for optimizing the supply chain ability of the sector and individual companies.

New conception and continuation of the "Logistics State Initiative of North Rhine Westphalia"

Customer: Ministry of Economics and Labor of the State of NRW

Based on the work of the state's initiative in logistics during the first 3 years, the task now is to press ahead with the work started and provide new impulses in support of the logistics sector in North Rhine Westphalia

Profitability Analyses Examples

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.

Supporting change processes and personnel planning of a rail freight transport company

Customer: Rail freight transport company

A leading provider of rail freight transport services is planning to reorganise its customer support according to market requirements. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to evaluate envisaged and partly already implemented measures and to support coordinating personnel planning in terms of participation .

Analysis of cost reduction needs for a rail infrastructure company

Customer: Maintenance Company

First, the cost reduction needs of selected rail infrastructure maintenance target markets were closely examined. In addition, recommendations were made for the market entry activities of an infrastructure maintenance service company were derived.

Process optimisations Examples

Supporting outsourcing planning

Customer: Luxury foods manufacturer

A leading company in the luxury foods industry is planning to reorganise its distribution process, which it has performed itself with its own sites and vehicles up to now. The company now intends to contract these services to a logistics service provider (outsourcing). SCI Verkehr is checking the concept put together by the customer internally for plausibility and is giving useful advice for the further negotiations with the service provider.

Bid management maintenance services

Customer: International maintenance provider for rolling stock

SCI Verkehr supported an international maintenance provider for rolling stock and components with regards to bid management for services in the external market. This included conceptual, economic and editorial assistance in the context of tender preparation as well as operational and organisational support in the bid process.

Assistance in realising a pilot project in the field of electronic ticketing

Customer: Midsized railway technology company

Our client had developed an innovative system for electronic fare management, which it wished to have tested in practice. In addition, the acceptance of the company was necessary as well as funding. SCI Verkehr took part in the project and assisted the client in quickly satisfying the necessary requirements for using the system in commercial operation.