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

Market and competition analysis platform screen doors

Customer: Railway technology company

On behalf of a railway technology company, SCI Verkehr investigates the market potential and the competitive landscape for the market of platform screen doors in Europe. From this, recommendations and a market entry strategy for the client are derived.

Support of an investment decision in a freight wagon plant in Europe

Customer: International company

For an international freight car manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analysed the attractiveness of the European freight car market with regard to an investment in a freight car plant. The study includes market, competition and customer analysis as well as the evaluation of the political framework conditions for foreign direct investment in selected countries.

Business case development – e-commerce logistics

Customer: Leading European logistics service provider

On behalf of a leading logistics service provider in Europe, SCI Verkehr identified, analysed and evaluated trends and growth developments in the global E-commerce markets as well as future growth potentials. On this basis, we developed and prepared concrete business cases for the client to be implemented.

Market Analyses Examples

Demand analysis for freight wagons

Customer: Rail freight transport operator

On behalf of a European railway operator, SCI Verkehr compiled a comparison of freight wagon procurements in recent years and planned procurements with the future market demand for wagons. For this purpose we selected a number of wagon types. For these wagon types we assessed whether or not the current orders suffice to cover the market demand in Europe or whether additional orders will be necessary.

Data delivery European freight wagon market

Customer: European freight wagon manufacturer and maintenance provider

SCI Verkehr supplied data on the freight wagon market in Europe to a European maintenance provider and freight wagon manufacturer. In addition to information on the fleet composition of individual fleet managers, data on the purchase price development for new freight wagons in Continental Europe was delivered.

Global data on rolling stock deliveries and rolling stock manufacturers

Customer:

SCI Verkehr compiled data on worldwide deliveries of rail vehicles by internationally active rail vehicle manufacturers for a customer. The information provides a comprehensive overview of current delivery projects in all regions of the world as well as the market position of individual manufacturers in various segments and serves as input for a market study of the customer.

Asset Valuations Examples

Value development of EMUs

Customer: Private operator

SCI Verkehr analysed the value development for electric multiple units (EMU) for a rail operator. This also included an evaluation of long-term possibilities for the deployment of multiple units.

Value appraisal of three-axle diesel shunting locomotives

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr analysed new three-axle diesel shunting locomotives with regard to their possible remaining value. For this purpose, the possible use of the locomotives and the advantages of the product in terms of LCC and emission values with regard to a possible reuse have been taken into consideration.

Asset valuation of a diesel locomotive portfolio

Customer: International financing company

On behalf of an international financing company, SCI Verkehr analysed the current value of a diesel locomotive portfolio using the capitalised earnings method. SCI Verkehr analysed the current and expected lease rates and new vehicle prices, as well as costs for maintenance and general inspection.

Public Consulting Examples

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.

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.

Support of the cluster initiative Rail NRW

Customer: Ministry for Construction and Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia

On behalf of the Ministry for Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia, SCI is supporting the cluster initiative Rail NRW. The aim of the initiative is to increase the competitiveness of companies in the railway sector in North Rhine-Westphalia. For the first time, it is planned that companies will have to cover a share of the costs for selected activities of this initiative.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Market overview test centre

Customer: Test organisation

On behalf of a company, which inspects rolling stock, SCI Verkehr analyses the demand for tests and examinations as well as the current competitive situation. Foci of the project include type tests, approval procedures as well as commissioning tests in test centres.

Strategic concept freight wagon division

Customer: Railway operator

SCI Verkehr supports a leading railway operator in the conceptual reorganisation of essential parts of rail freight transport. For this purpose, available concepts are reviewed and new approaches to advancing this field of business are developed and evaluated. It is aimed at achieving higher efficiency in this segment by reorganising responsibilities and processes in production and sales.

Market analysis painting raw materials

Customer: Globally active chemical company

On behalf of a globally active chemical company, SCI Verkehr analysed the market potential for painting raw materials. The in-depth analysis evaluated the market potential for these materials and provided a basis for further strategic planning.

Process optimisations Examples

Optimisation potentials in rail vehicle maintenance

Customer: Private sector

SCI Verkehr is considering possible optimisation potentials in rail vehicle maintenance on behalf of a railway transport company. The focus of the project is on improving the employment of human resources. This is to be achieved by, among other things, increasing the vertical range of manufacturing, "make or buy" decisions and extending the existing range of activities of the staff. In addition, the expansion of the company?s activities is also analysed, for example, through the implementation of a vehicle leasing or rental business and its effects on employment.

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.

Evaluation of different effects of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAK) on the performance of rail freight traffic

Customer: Railway undertaking

On behalf of a railway undertaking, SCI Verkehr is analysing the effects of the introduction of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAK) on the performance of rail freight transport. As part of a meta-study, SCI Verkehr summarises the results of various studies on the DAK and its effects in line and shunting operations and evaluates them with regard to an increase in capacity after the successful migration of the DAK after 2030.