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

Strategic realignment of a leading European rail freight company

Customer: European rail freight operator

The commissioning railway company in European rail freight transport is in a tense economic position with significantly decreasing market shares, declining transport services, and a dissatisfying earnings situation. Defined objectives of the company include increasing production stability, restructuring of business with regards to sales and production, increasing productivity, and economic improvement of selected operating areas. SCI Verkehr was assigned to accompany the process as expert advisor and to examine it in terms of co-determination.

Assessment of market potential for wheelset systems in Germany

Customer: Manufacturer in rail vehicle industry ? rolling stock

Assessment of market volumes which could be opened up and the competition situation in the German market for wheelsets. Analysis of current demand and customer and competitor evaluations. Assessment of the current market share of various manufacturers as well as prognoses of future demand for wheelset systems. Recommendations for strategic further development of service portfolio.

Market study on track maintenance for short-distance rails

Customer: Railway engineering industry

As part of an internationalisation strategy, SCI Verkehr GmbH first of all ascertained informative key data regarding track system infrastructure fittings of metro and light rail systems in Europe and the Mediterranean countries. It then performed a survey of network operators regarding their renewal and maintenance strategies and edited the results for the purpose of assessing the client?s business options.

Market Analyses Examples

Commercial Due Diligence Freight Car and Container Leasing

Customer: Private Equity Investor

SCI Verkehr supported a leading infrastructure investor in a commercial due diligence process in the area of freight wagon and container leasing. In addition, a complete valuation of the fleet was carried out according to cost and income-based valuation methods.

Fleet database on rail vehicles in Africa and South America

Customer: component manufacturer

On behalf of a component manufacturer, SCI Verkehr built up a database of rail vehicle fleets in Africa and South America for selected vehicle types. In combination with other IT systems of the customer, the fleet database was used primarily in the after-sales area for the spare parts business and the identification of potentials in the refurbishment of vehicles.

Market and competition data

Customer: Antitrust authority

In the context of an examination by antitrust authorities, SCI Verkehr provides market and competition data on different segments of railway technology. These data will essentially serve to assess the current competitive situation.

Asset Valuations Examples

DRC valuation Intercity coaches

Customer: European state railway

SCI Verkehr provides a value appraisal on new intercity passenger coaches on behalf of a state railway. The asset valuation is carried out according to the cost-based DRC approach. To evaluate remarketing options, SCI Verkehr analyses the European passenger transport markets with a focus on open access.  Furthermore, the manufacturer´s maintenance plan is analysed and evaluated.

Portfolio assessment for refinancing

Customer: Rolling stock lessor

In the context of a refinance, SCI Verkehr assesses the market value of a large European rolling stock portfolio. Assessment is conducted by means of the income-based DCF method and comprises detailed descriptions of the portfolio´s competitive position and of the supply and demand side.

Calculation of the asset value of motor coaches for their financing

Customer: Financial service provider

Under instruction of the financial service provider, SCI Verkehr prepares a value report for new motor coaches which will be funded under a foreign loan and whose asset values serve as security. Therefore, the terms of the loan depend essentially on the stability of the value of these vehicles, which is calculated by means of an "Asset Value Tool" developed by SCI Verkehr.

Public Consulting Examples

Series of workshops for the first environmental comparison of rail transport

Customer: Allianz pro Schiene

On behalf of Allianz pro Schiene e.V., SCI Verkehr is professionally assisting the conception and implementation of a series of workshops on the theme of "Environment and Rail Transport" in addition to the "First Environmental Comparison of Rail Transport". The range of tasks includes helping to select the speakers, support in contacting the speakers, compiling and producing the meeting documents as well as looking after the speakers and participants on site.

Management LOG-IT CLUB

Customer: LOG-IT Club e.V.

Since the foundation of the LOG-IT Club e.V. in November 2002, SCI Verkehr has conducted the business of the association. This includes the support of the association committees, account management, budgetary control and acceptance of new members.

Research project on the further development of single-wagon transport in Germany

Customer: Federal research institution

SCI Verkehr supported a research institution of the EBA in considering the further development of single wagonload transport in Germany with a special focus on innovation. Two other management consultancies supported the project on a subcontract basis.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Structural measures at a food company

Customer: food / logistics company

SCI Verkehr assists the works council of a large food / logistics company in the assessment and analysis of structural measures by the company and supports the development of alternative (logistics) concepts.

Workshop ECM Market

Customer: Maintenance company

SCI Verkehr has carried out a workshop on ECM services with a leading maintenance company for rail vehicles. Different business models were discussed and the company´s business plan was reviewed.

Economic analysis of a rail freight company

Customer: Private rail freight company 

On behalf of a transport company, SCI Verkehr carried out an analysis of measures to improve the profitability of their business areas. For this purpose, the measures and the general company's positioning in the German rail freight market were examined.

Process optimisations Examples

Investigation of site closures

Customer: Global player in the food industry

With the objective of realising rationalisation potential in distribution and warehousing, our client planned to consolidate three logistics sites into one central location near to production. In order to achieve this, the existing logistics site had to be restored using construction measures. SCI Verkehr as a neutral expert was involved in the decision-making process with regard to necessary investments and performed a cross checking of assumptions and calculations made. The expert's report focused on the personnel and investments required.

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.

Support in compiling an offer for the rout—related tender of local rail transport services in the Bielefeld region (North Rhine Westphalia)

Customer: Stadtentwicklungsbehörde der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg

SCI Verkehr has supported a railway transport company in compiling a competitive wettbewerbsfähigen transport offer. We have compiled of all important documents as well as a marketing-strategic consultancy for compiling the offer. The client has been awarded the contract.