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

Commercial due diligence freight wagon lessor

Customer: Financial investor

SCI Verkehr supports a financial investor by preparing a CDD in the domain of freight wagon leasing. In addition to the CDD report, customer questions on previous reports are responded to in the context of a Q&A process.

Strategic repositioning of a leading European rail freight company

Customer: Internationally leading rail freight company

A leading company in the European rail freight market has executed an extensive project for strategic repositioning, reorganisation and process setup with the help of SCI Verkehr. SCI Verkehr provided support in the areas of project management as well as with specific projects. For this, market and competition expectations were reviewed and benchmarks for the positioning of production- and sales-related units were developed. SCI Verkehr prepared, monitored and evaluated the successful implementation.

Preparation of bidding documents for tenders in Western Germany

Customer: Private railway company

SCI Verkehr supported a private railway transport company in the strategic and operational calculation and preparation of a bid for transport services in Germany. The aim was to submit an attractive, innovative and cost-efficient offer for rail services to maximize the client´s opportunity of success in the competition for the transport service contract and to subsequently guarantee sustainable economic success and customer satisfaction. SCI Verkehr performed the conceptual and technical planning, calculation, the editorial preparation and operational and organisational support.

Market Analyses Examples

Global fleet data base

Customer: Industrial company

For the targeted support of after-sales business of a manufacturer, SCI Verkehr developed a global data base that includes all existing fleets or rolling stock in operation.

Corridor analysis for a locomotive leasing company

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr supported a locomotive leasing company in the targeted growth of its business along the north-south rail freight corridors. For this purpose, a demand-supply analysis for multi-system locomotives was conducted by considering infrastructural developments as well as operational requirements and cost structures.

Price benchmark diesel multiple units

Customer: International manufacturer of rail vehicles

On behalf of an international manufacturer of rail vehicles, SCI Verkehr analysed the market prices of diesel multiple units (DMUs) and their development in Europe within the last 10 years. The determined prices of various vehicle types are compared with regard to technological criteria such as price per effective area.

Asset Valuations Examples

Short checking of return policy and costing

Customer: Bank group

On behalf of a refinancing bank, SCI Verkehr analysed the return policy of regional rail vehicles and in a second step determined a basic scenario of costs to be expected if the vehicles are returned within the contract duration.

DCF asset valuation locomotive portfolio with market analysis

Customer: Financier of rail vehicles

On behalf of a financier of rail vehicles, SCI Verkehr determines current asset values of a locomotive portfolio. The valuation takes into account the income-based DCF valuation methodology and additionally includes an extensive market and fleet analysis in European core markets.

Fleet evaluation of used diesel locomotives and service vehicles

Customer: Railway undertaking

SCI Verkehr prepared a cost-based asset valuation of a portfolio of used diesel locomotives and service vehicles for rail infrastructure on behalf of a potential buyer. The appraisal serves as a benchmark for a transaction price and also contains a market review and method description according to IVS 2022.

Public Consulting Examples

Quality Management of regional and commuter rail transport contracts

Customer: Regional and commuter rail transport authority

On behalf of an authority, SCI Verkehr developed and implemented a new quality management system for regional and commuter rail transport contracts. The customer´s aim was to use this quality ranking for an image-building publication. In the context of modelling, relevant valuation parameters were defined and evaluated according to their significance to passengers. Comparability of different transport operations posed another challenge.

Analysis of market opportunities and product profiles of a successor company of the wagon construction companies in the new federal states

Customer: Rail Technology manufacturer

Examinations and market analysis, consultation of a railway technology company and the Saxonian federal government support for the company and restructuring concept. As a result, also consultation of the works council.

LogNet Ruhr II

Customer: Projekt Ruhr GmbH

Conceptioning, implementation and follow-up of the LogNet Ruhr initiative. Professional consultation of pilot projects. Continuation of the Logistics Industry on the Ruhr master plan

Profitability Analyses Examples

Evaluation business plan leasing company

Customer: Financial investor

SCI Verkehr critically examined the business plan of a leasing company in the run-up to a possible due diligence. The focus was on the evaluation of the current portfolio and the management's assumptions regarding growth potential. For this purpose, a benchmark of current and expected future leasing rates and the occupancy rate was also carried out.

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.

Price analysis of locomotives on the basis of indexing

Customer: Lessor

SCI Verkehr has analyzed the development of locomotive prices from order to delivery. In particular, existing contractual provisions on the indexation of purchase prices were taken into account.

Process optimisations 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.

Preparation of bidding documents for tenders in eastern Germany

Customer: Commuter rail operator

SCI Verkehr supported the transport company in the conceptual and practical preparation of two commuter rail bids in eastern Germany. The services ranged from the development and assessment of a vehicle concept to conceptual, technical and editorial support to operational and organisational support.

Support in restructuring process in rail freight transport

Customer: Market-leading freight transport company

Against the background of the global economic and financial crisis, a short-term need for a reaction and restructuring arose for a leading company in the freight transport sector. SCI Verkehr GmbH supported the client as a professional expert in close consultation with management. We reviewed the measures developed, compiled alternative scenarios and provided professional support in the negotiations.