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

Organizational change of a nationwide logistics organisation

Customer: Global player of the beverage industry

A global player of the beverage industry wants to standardize the management structures of its German logistics centres and make them sustainable. In the course of an implementation project in two pilot regions in Germany, SCI Verkehr analysed the current organizational structure and executed the migration into a new, homogenous structure. All steps were undertaken in cooperation with all relevant management levels as well as employee representation. Following the project, this structure is to be transferred to the remaining five German regions.

Development of a corporate strategy in relation to maintenance and vehicle markets for a vehicle manufacturer

Customer: European Rolling Stock manufacturer

SCI Verkehr supports a European rolling stock manufacturer in developing a corporate strategy for entering the maintenance market for rail vehicles and developing a new multiple unit platform. Together with the management, country markets, requirements and technical options are analysed and translated into a vision for the future.

Market study freight wagon leasing

Customer: Infrastructure fund

On behalf of a leading global investment company, SCI Verkehr compiled a market study on freight wagon leasing in Europe. This study is used as a basis for a business strategy. Besides a market overview, synergy effects and the economic consequences of the German rail freight master plan are presented.

Market Analyses Examples

Continuous evaluation of a rail vehicle portfolio

Customer: Refinancing credit institution

A credit institution commissioned SCI Verkehr for initial and subsequent valuations for an extensive rolling stock portfolio in Europe and North America. The results of the calculation were used internally at the client for the assessment of credit risks. In addition to the semi-annual portfolio valuation, SCI Verkehr supported the client at short notice with additional market analyses and expert discussions. A presentation on current and expected market trends was given at the end of the project.

Analysis of the market potential for the maintenance of railway vehicles and extension of the performance profile with railway vehicles in the TI Works of an Operator

Customer: Operator

Market analysis of heavy maintenance; investigation in the field of transportation companies, rail vehicle industry, city railways and trams, connection of operational and heavy maintenance, other European countries.

DRC assessment of modern electric locomotives

Customer: International banking institution

For a financing decision, SCI Verkehr evaluates the two most common types of electric locomotives in Europe. The valuation is carried out on the basis of a market analysis as well as an extensive asset benchmark using the DRC valuation approach.

Asset Valuations Examples

Vehicle assessment rail freight fleet

Customer: International bank

On behalf of a refinancing bank, SCI Verkehr ascertains the current vehicle value of a rail freight fleet. Value assessment of these vehicles operated on the Iberian Peninsula is built on the cost-based DRC assessment approach and considers results of a supply and demand analysis of locomotives and freight wagons.

Complete fleet evaluation of passenger coaches and freight wagons

Customer: International banking group

On behalf of a refinancing bank, SCI Verkehr evaluated the complete portfolio of locomotives, freight wagons and passenger coaches in Europe and North America. The evaluation was carried out by means of a DRC and DCF approach with a focus on the supply and demand situation for rolling stock. The complete package also included an annual update as well as asset analyses of the most important construction series.

DCF evaluation of container and pocket wagons

Customer: Eastern European logistics company

On behalf of an Eastern European logistics company, SCI Verkehr evaluated the current and future market value of modern container and pocket wagons. The DCF evaluation includes an extensive market observation and analysis of the current supply and demand situation.

Public Consulting Examples

Preparation of bidding documents for tenders in Germany

Customer: Local rail transport operator

SCI Verkehr supported a private railway company in the strategic and operational preparation of a bid for transport services in Germany. The aim is to submit an attractive, innovative and cost-efficient offer for rail services, on the basis of which the client will be successful in the competition for the transport service contract. SCI Verkehr performed the conceptual and technical planning, the editorial preparation and operational and organisational support.

Organization and support of a foreign congress

Customer: Congress Society

Acquisition and support of exhibitors during a congress in Spain. SCI Verkehr will gather current background information on the Spanish rail transport market and prepare an up-to-date, exclusive information file for participating companies.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Performance comparison of selected European railway companies

Customer: European railway company

As a result of new EU regulations, the European state railways have seen some very extensive reforms since the beginning of the 90s. The objectives of these reforms were to improve transport services and the quality of rail transport and to reduce the strain on public budgets. On behalf of a European state railway, SCI Verkehr analysed the track records and development of selected state railways with regard to these objectives. SCI Verkehr made the comparison drawing upon specific key figures, with the help of which we assessed the objectives listed.

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.

Maintenance location and portfolio assessment

Customer: maintenance specialist

Definitions of the optimal location and performance for a vehicle workshop in western North Rhine Westphalia.

Process optimisations Examples

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.