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 roadmap for an industrial service provider

Customer: DAX company

On behalf of a DAX company, SCI Verkehr analysed successful growth areas for the company and used these to compile a strategic roadmap for future development. For this purpose we carried out a portfolio analysis of the existing business segments, identified attractive growth areas and made recommendations of suitable targets and courses of action.

Intercompany railway concept

Customer: Logistics company

SCI Verkehr supports an automobile manufacturer in preparing a rail transport concept for two plants in different European countries. The final results include a business plan, route analysis, rolling stock recommendations, selection of rail freight operators, feasibility of creating an own operator, and an overview of loading and unloading processes.

Asset requirements up to the year 2030

Customer: financier

On behalf of a financier, SCI Verkehr analyses the transport market and the resulting needs with regard to the procurement of new assets. In addition to the purely quantitative forecast of the transport market, a differentiation is made according to segments, corridors and changes in the (political) framework conditions. Therefore, the specifications of required assets (performance requirements, multi-system capability, etc.) for traction units are also estimated and - taking into account existing fleets - transferred into the demand forecast.

Market Analyses Examples

Competition analysis rail vehicle components

Customer: Asian component manufacturer

On behalf of an Asian manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analysed the competitive landscape in the worldwide market for rail vehicle door systems.

Determining demand for electric corridor locomotives

Customer: International financer

On behalf of a financer, SCI Verkehr determines current and future demand for electric locomotives. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr analyses the locomotive pool as well as the expected future demand for transport services and finally determines the expected number of leases.

Price benchmark for shunting locomotives

Customer: Leasing company

For an application for funding for the procurement of shunting locomotives, SCI Verkehr compares the costs of different locomotives. The focus is on alternative types of drive compared to a conventional diesel drive.

Asset Valuations Examples

Update fleet evaluation leasing company

Customer: Rolling stock lessor

On behalf of a vehicle leasing company active throughout Europe, SCI Verkehr prepares a valuation update. The large fleet comprising locomotives, passenger trains and freight wagons is assessed by means of the DCF valuation method.

Fleet evaluation of a leasing portfolio

Customer: Leasing company

As part of a financing of a leasing portfolio, SCI Verkehr evaluates the value of the total vehicle fleet of a leasing company. This was based on an individual evaluation of the various vehicle types, their operability and marketability.

Asset value analysis of an insolvent railway transport company

Customer: Financial services company

Analysis of the asset values of an insolvent railway transport company by evaluating sales opportunities for used locomotives and wagons in Germany and abroad as well as their technical stable value for estimating the market value in the event of reuse.

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.

Gemischte Wirtschaftskommission Ungarn - NRW (Mixed Economic Commission Hungary - NRW)

Customer: Ministerium für Wirtschaft und Mittelstand, Energie und Verkehr des Landes NRW (The Ministry for Economy and Small Business, Energy and Traffic of State North Rhine-Westphalia)

Preparation of subject matter, organisation, implementation, and follow-up of the 4th meeting of the mixed economic commission on 06 to 08 June 2001 in Düsseldorf. Compilation and analysis of the Hungarian and NRW interests prior to the event, development of a basis for decision making for the client and finalising the agreement following the event. Follow-up of the joint cooperation in the traffic sector.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Innovative drives for rail vehicles

Customer: Federal Ministry of Transport

On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport, SCI Verkehr investigated the applicability of innovative drives for rail vehicles that run on non-electrified lines. In addition to economic efficiency, changes relevant to the environment (e.g. emission reduction) were also evaluated.

Assessment of maintenance capacities in North Rhine-Westphalia

Customer: Medium-sized transport company and vehicle maintenance provider

A medium-sized transport company is looking to assess developments in the short-distance passenger transport market and their consequences for maintenance in North Rhine-Westphalia. The following targets are of paramount importance: 1) analysis and assessment of basic conditions of the short-distance passenger transport market; 2) processing market developments in the short-distance passenger transport market; 3) deduction of demand potential for maintenance work. With the available survey, SCI Verkehr GmbH is compiling the basis for these assessments in June 2006.

Process optimisations Examples

Supporting a terminal operator in its appeal against the rejection of an application for funding

Customer: Terminal operator

An application for funding by a midsized intermodal terminal operator was rejected by the authorisation authority responsible. SCI Verkehr advised the client on all important aspects of the upcoming appeal proceedings and prepared the reasoning for the appeal. Furthermore, in order to develop a strategy with optimum chances of success, SCI Verkehr gathered additional information on the chances of success of the proceedings and on the optimum course of action by means of background discussions in political circles.

Assistance in realising a pilot project in the field of electronic ticketing

Customer: Midsized railway technology company

Our client had developed an innovative system for electronic fare management, which it wished to have tested in practice. In addition, the acceptance of the company was necessary as well as funding. SCI Verkehr took part in the project and assisted the client in quickly satisfying the necessary requirements for using the system in commercial operation.

Process improvements in production

Customer: Midsized producer in the food industry

A midsized company in the food industry had to generate significant savings in the production processes in order to remain competitive in the market. SCI Verkehr identified saving potential in production and hosted the subsequent dialogue between the works council and management.