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 entry strategy South America

Customer: Subsystem supplier

On behalf of a subsystem supplier, SCI Verkehr developed a market entry strategy in consultation with the client. As a basis for this, we analysed market and competition in detail.

Potentials of alternative drive concepts in rail freight transport

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr is analysing the potential of alternative drive concepts in rail freight transport. For the strategic planning of the company, an assessment of the market potential in various locomotive segments and performance classes is highly relevant for further investment projects.

Freight Wagon Leasing in Europe

Customer: European wagon leasing company

SCI Verkehr analysed the European market for freight wagons and freight wagon leasing in particular. The analysis focused on the total market as well as specific countries in detail. A special focus was placed on strategic options within the market as well as the subsequent recommended actions.

Market Analyses Examples

Vehicle fleets in current PSO contracts

Customer: Consultancy company

On behalf of a customer, SCI Verkehr compiles an overview of all rail vehicles currently used in regional rail transport contracts. For each concession, the multiple units or series or locomotive-hauled sets are listed.

Rail vehicle procurement projects

Customer: Global industrial group

On behalf of a global industrial company, SCI Verkehr analysed all current and future procurement projects for rail passenger vehicles. The data was generated from the SCI database and made available in structured evaluation lists.

Worldwide assessment of the most important contracts and concessions in passenger transport

Customer: Worldwide assessment of the most important contracts and concessions in passenger transport

On behalf of an Asian consulting company, SCI Verkehr analysed the most important contracts and concessions of passenger transport companies worldwide. In line with its objective, the past, current and future concessions in rail passenger transport, LRV and metro were analysed and evaluated. The results were examined in more detail by an analysis of essential key figures relating to the benchmark parameters of these concessions.

Asset Valuations Examples

Economic evaluation of rolling stock

Customer: Financial services company

Since vehicles themselves can serve as assets in the financing of railway vehicles, thus making favourable financing options possible, ascertaining their economic value is extremely important. SCI Verkehr examined the worldwide market for rolling stock in order to determine the benefits, territorial possibilities, and costs related to recycling used railway vehicles. Rail-mounted vehicles of different categories were put to a general LCC/RAM analysis, added by verifying well-known used vehicle transactions. The results were based both on the evaluation of secondary sources and interviews with experts. The study?s objective was a standardized evaluation for assets.

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.

Valuation of DMUs

Customer: Leasing and financing company

In order to calculate an offer price for a rolling stock transaction, SCI Verkehr determined the value development of a DMU for operation in the German commuter rail segment. The expert report encompasses an analysis of the vehicle prices, a benchmark of competitor products and an overview of the future opportunities for reuse in Germany and Europe.

Public Consulting Examples

Competence-net Logistics.NRW

Customer: LOG-IT Club e.V.

In April 2018, the competence-net Logistics.NRW was launched as innovation and partner network of the state of NRW. Activities of the network are directed at the subject areas of innovation and digitalisation in particular. On behalf of LOG-IT Club eV., SCI Verkehr, in close cooperation with the alliance of transport economics and logistics, organises all specialist and organisational activities related to continuous networking.

Mobility Cluster Northern Hesse

Customer: Public Company

Supporting management in implementing a mobility cluster in Northern Hesse. Expert consultation for the cluster manager and concept preparation of company forums and specialist events in the field of rail industry and logistics. Development of projects and strategic initiatives.

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.

Application for rail sidings subsidies

Customer: Medium-sized forwarding company

A medium-sized forwarding company is planning to extend its existing railways siding and to improve it by setting up a handling hall. In order to construct these facilities, the company will seek governmental subsidies from the sidings track support programme of the Federal Republic of Germany. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to take a leading part in supporting the company´s application.

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.

Consultancy services for negotiations regarding follow-up infrastructure contract

Customer: Industrial company

The contract between DB Netz AG and an industrial company concerning the operation of a siding was unilaterally terminated and is going to be replaced by a new agreement to terms in line with the market. SCI Verkehr advised the siding operator on all technical and strategic issues, independently conducted the dialogue with DB Netz AG, reviewed all essential documents and took part in the official negotiations for the contract.

Supporting a work group on changes to the production and logistics infrastructure

Customer: Global player in the food industry

Changes in the client?s product and packaging mix led to an open discussion about the site structure in both production and logistics. Not only the future scale and location of the sites were up for discussion, but also the issue of the function of individual areas of production and logistics. SCI Verkehr hosted the dialogue between the employees and employer on these matters and incorporated its experience in supporting site changes into the discussion process.