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

Fleet strategy for rail freight operator

Customer: Rail freight operator

On behalf of a rail freight transport operator, SCI Verkehr develops a fleet strategy for the entire fleet of freight wagons in order to deduce a long-term procurement strategy. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr analyses the expected demand for transport services and the development of supply of freight wagons and innovative component solutions.

Potentials of alternative drive concepts in rail freight transport

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr is analysing the potential of alternative drive concepts in rail freight transport. For the strategic planning of the company, an assessment of the market potential in various locomotive segments and performance classes is highly relevant for further investment projects.

Market and competition analysis platform screen doors

Customer: Railway technology company

On behalf of a railway technology company, SCI Verkehr investigates the market potential and the competitive landscape for the market of platform screen doors in Europe. From this, recommendations and a market entry strategy for the client are derived.

Market Analyses Examples

Database of diesel multiple units and diesel locomotives

Customer: Component manufacturer

On behalf of a supplier, SCI Verkehr configures a database including general information as well as technical features of various diesel multiple unit fleets and diesel locomotive fleets.

Analysis of the rail vehicle market in Austria and Portugal

Customer:

For an Asian rail vehicle manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analysed the market potential and entry barriers for new rail vehicles in Austria and Portugal.

Supply of Market Data for Internal Strategy Processes

Customer: International supplier company in the electrical industries

On behalf of a leading company in the fields of energy and telecommunication equipment, SCI Verkehr produced a detailed market overview of data relevant to rolling stock and railway infrastructure in order to support the strategic market analysis across the group.

Asset Valuations Examples

Asset assessment railcar fleets

Customer: Banking consortium

On behalf of a banking consortium, SCI Verkehr determines the fair value as well as the expected value-over-time of several railcar fleets in Germany. The assessment is carried out according to the cost-based DRC method. Special focus is put on defining realistic scenarios to reuse the fleets. Moreover, technical condition assessment is carried out by an expert.

Asset valuation electric multiple units (EMU)

Customer: Regional passenger transport operator

SCI Verkehr evaluated a fleet of double-deck electric railcars on behalf of an operator in regional passenger transport. The replacement cost (RC) method based on the IVS 2020 standard was applied.

Valuation of timber wagons

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr evaluated a fleet of timber wagons for a leading German leasing company. The valuation was carried out using the cost-based RC method in accordance with IVS 2022. In addition, an overview of the timber transport market in Continental Europe was prepared.

Public Consulting Examples

LogistikCluster NRW

Customer: LOG-IT Club e.V.

In autumn 2015, LogistikCluster NRW entered a new phase. The cluster's activities will focus even more intensively on the topics of growth, innovation and digitalisation. SCI Verkehr organises all technical and organisational activities for the LOG-IT Club e.V. in close cooperation with the Association of the Transport Industry and Logistics.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Strategic approaches for the after-market business in components

Customer:

SCI Verkehr analysed various KPIs for the maintenance and repair of vehicles and the overhaul and reconditioning of components for a supplier. For individual components and markets, a more in-depth analysis of the profitability of the segment was carried out, to derive strategic approaches for the design of the business field in Europe.

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.

Process optimisations Examples

Restructuring of workshop flows

Customer: Global player in the food industry

When centralising three workshops into one new site, our client had not implemented an active change management strategy. The processes and areas of work taken over from the old locations led to a significant drop in output at the new site. First of all, SCI Verkehr analysed and documented the existing workflows in a task force including management and the works council. At the same time, the team from SCI Verkehr identified and initiated necessary changes and oversaw the implementation on site. The aim of the project was to introduce staff to the new conditions in order to establish the adapted working areas and processes for the long term.

Supporting changes in a production company

Customer: Global player in the food industry

In the context of restructuring, a global enterprise in the food industry intends to close a logistics site and several production sites in Germany as well as to reorganise further core departments. SCI Verkehr surveys the plans and supports the process of negotiating a reconciliation of interests. Also, alternative scenarios are developed and moderated in this context.

Registration of railway companies in Poland

Customer: Industry

Working for an interested company, all corporate and administrative as well as technical preconditions for obtaining registration as railway transport company in Poland were ascertained. The information was analysed in terms of potential for action and risks and provided in the form of a structured guide.