EXPERIENCE FROM 30 YEARS

On behalf of an international rolling stock manufacturer, SCI Verkehr compiled an overview of stocks, age structures and procurements in Western and Eastern Europe. We presented the procurements according to performance category and type of traction for the entire European market. The market analysis was rounded off with a manufacturer and customer overview.

On behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology, SCI Verkehr performed an analysis of the medium-term development of the rail transport market, in order to derive the prospects for the Vienna Climatic Wind Tunnel (KWK). For this purpose SCI Verkehr derived the potential market volume for climatic tests in the Vienna Climatic Wind Tunnel from the forecast of the future procurement volume of rail vehicles and analysed the competitive situation of other climatic test providers.

Within the scope of a market study for a component manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analysed the size and development of the rolling stock fleet worldwide. A differentiation was made by regional markets and vehicle segments. The future sales volume was examined with a forecast horizon of five years for the following differentiated segments: high-speed trains, EMUs, DMUs, passenger coaches, electric locomotives, diesel locomotives, light rail vehicles and metro systems. The industrial company is provided with the resulting concrete statements regarding sales potentials by market region and vehicle segment.

SCI Verkehr determines the current and future market value of electric and diesel multiple units to be operated in the German short-distance passenger rail transport market. Special focus is put on analysing the expected useful life and long-term options for re-use.

On behalf of an active leasing company, SCI Verkehr assesses four heavy mainline diesel locomotives. Valuation was based on the income-based DCF method as well as a supply and demand analysis in France and the Iberian Peninsula.

For the internal valuation of a financing project for dual-system EMUs, a bank required a vehicle valuation from SCI Verkehr. The focus of the valuation was on a current price benchmark, the determination of the value trend and the analysis of possible secondary markets for the EMUs. Several vehicle variants with different parts and various reuse scenarios were considered.

The first step is based on a master plan developed by SCI Verkehr. The plan outlines how single vehicle transport could be developed in North Rhine-Westphalia by creating a Network Organisation for Railway Logistics (O.N.E. North Rhine-Westphalia). The publication and market positioning are agreed upon in close cooperation with the participants and are presented at the 2002 VDV Annual convention. They are accompanied by the production of necessary presentation documents, a brochure, a topic-specific mailing to decision makers in the region and potential cargo transport clients in North Rhine-Westphalia. A customer drop-in center for the coordination of these activities is opened.

Together with two partners, SCI evaluated the funding guidelines of a German federal ministry. The impact of the funding was assessed using statistical and qualitative evaluation criteria, and examples of adjustments for the future were developed.

The social partner project Nordrhein-Westfälische ErnährungsWirtschaft e.V. (NEW.S) commissioned SCI Verkehr to develop a "logistics report for the food industry in NRW" last year. This includes a number of optimisation approaches and recommendations for action, which reflect the complexity of the demands on logistics in the food industry. With the series of workshops ?Optimisation in Logistics? the client wants to encourage the detailed discussion of proposed optimisation approaches and solutions. SCI Verkehr is taking over the preparation of the entire content and managing the workshop series ?Optimisation in Logistics?. This includes developing the concept, detailed planning, acquiring speakers and press relations.

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.

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.

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.

A central production and logistics site of our client showed ongoing logistical deficits: long waiting and processing times for lorries and out-of stock situations affected the performance of the site. At the same time, the client intended to integrate a smaller site from the local area, in order to raise the performance of the site concerned. SCI Verkehr was commissioned by the company management to analyse the main hurdles for a better performance of the site, present ways for improvement and, in cooperation with the company, implement the required measures. The main aim was to accelerate processing times. For this purpose it was necessary to remodel the logistical processes, together with staff on site. As part of an "operational excellence process", the consultancy and support from SCI Verkehr largely aimed towards activating employee expertise at the site. In this way, the upcoming changes in staffing were communicated and established, enabling sustainable optimisation of processes.

Following an analysis carried out by SCI Verkehr of existing structures and processes in one of the client?s workshops, the first changes to the structures at the site have been initiated. The next task for SCI Verkehr was to operationally implement the processes in some areas, change them in a sustainable manner and coach a newly hired workshop manager in his role.

SCI Verkehr supported the railway company in the strategic and operational preparation of a bid for transport services in northern Germany. The objective was to submit an attractive, innovative and reasonably priced bid for rail services. SCI Verkehr performed the conceptual and technical planning, the editorial preparation and operational and organisational support.