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 analysis "Prospects in the Worldwide Market for Rolling Stock"

Customer: Internationally active component manufacturer

SCI Verkehr analysed and assessed the current and prospective dynamics in the market regions and portfolio segments of a globally active component manufacturer. Within the scope of a management workshop, SCI Verkehr derived and defined the sustainable and international potential for growth and strategic options.

Due diligence support

Customer: International component manufacturer

A worldwide active company active in the rail industry has evaluated opportunities and risks regarding the acquisition of a company in a niche market. The company is active in the infrastructure segment. SCI Verkehr has supported the company in the commercial due diligence with a market and competition analysis.

Analysis of German maintenance market

Customer: Vehicle manufacturer

Commissioned by a globally active industrial manufacturer, the maintenance capacity of the short-distance passenger transport market in Germany is analysed and assessed. In addition, existing and prospective market access conditions are evaluated. Recommendations for a successful strategic positioning as well as different courses of action for the company are also being compiled.

Market Analyses Examples

Determination of market demand of electric locomotives

Customer: Financial investor

To support an investment decision, SCI Verkehr compiled a market overview of demand and supply of electric locomotives in central Europe and used it to determine the future market demand for locomotives. For this, SCI Verkehr developed a forecast of the most important freight groups as well as an estimation of the future competitive development.

Fleet evaluation and analysis on the European leasing market

Customer: Investment company

SCI Verkehr supported an international investment company as part of a due diligence project involving the valuation of a rolling stock leasing fleet. Valuation was conducted using the DCF approach. The report included a current portfolio overview as well as an outlook on the European multiple unit and locomotive leasing market.

Electrification projects in selected countries

Customer: financial services provider

For a financial services provider, SCI Verkehr delivered the new construction and expansion projects for railway electrification in selected European countries.

Asset Valuations Examples

Valuation bi-mode multiple units fleet in France

Customer: European investment bank

On behalf of a prominent European investment bank, SCI Verkehr has conducted a valuation of a French bi-mode multiple units fleet. The replacement cost methodology has been employed in line with IVS 2020.

Asset appraisal of used electric multiple units

Customer: Vehicle owner

On behalf of a transportation company, SCI Verkehr determined the expected value-over-time of used EMUs. The vehicles were used in the German regional passenger rail transport and were appraised based on a replacement cost approach. A detailed analysis of the German regional passenger rail transport sector was carried out to supplement this appraisal. In addition, an expert carried out a technical condition assessment and reviewed maintenance reserves for the general inspection.

Portfolio Assessment of Leasing Fleet for Refinancing

Customer: International leasing company

As basis for refinancing, SCI Verkehr determines the current market value and expected value-over-time of a rolling stock fleet, owned by a leading European leasing company. Income-based DCF valuation is applied for value assessment of locomotives, rail cars, freight wagons and passenger coaches. The expected market and competitive developments are decisive input factors for rolling stock assessment.

Public Consulting Examples

KV funding application

Customer: Trans-shipping company in North Rhine-Westphalia

Over the past several years, a mid-sized trans-shipping company has experienced substantial growth at its KV trans-shipping terminal. SCI Verkehr drafted an application for funding that would enable further expansion of the terminal. The application process included contact with government authorities. The result is still pending.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Multiple Unit OEM and after-sales benchmark

Customer: European rail vehicle manufacturer

On behalf of a European vehicle manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analysed and benchmarked procurement and after-sales costs for multiple unit train types operated in European country markets.

Increase in profitability of an industrial and port railway

Customer: Schwerin Public Works

Analysis of existing and potential operations in regional passenger and cargo transport. Development and preparation of a business concept for an economically viable NE-Railway.

Profitability analysis metro procurement

Customer: Public Transport Authority

SCI Verkehr evaluated the economic feasibility of the selected bids for a public transport authority in the context of a procurement of new urban transport vehicles. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr evaluated the bid documents and carried out a price benchmark to determine the usual market prices of metro vehicles.

Process optimisations Examples

Commuter Rail Berlin

Customer: State of Berlin

Comparison of specific cost types to those of other commuter rail systems in Germany by means of defined, meaningful benchmarks. Identification of cost reduction potentials, possible ways ans implications of their realisation. Support to the client in the design of the transport service contract. Coordination of a joint negotiation strategy and participation in the trials. Survey of arguments and recommendations to the client.

Development of intermodal transport terminal

Customer: Engineering firm

A Dutch logistics group is interested in setting up a terminal for road/rail transfer. The terminal focuses on seaport hinterland traffic of North Sea ports. SCI Verkehr was tasked with testing the feasibility in cooperation with partners (with special regard to rail connectivity) and working out a grant application according to the intermodal transport guidelines

Drafting and compilation of a bid for local transport service

Customer: International transport company

On behalf of an international transport company, SCI Verkehr has developed and compiled a bid for services in local rail passenger transport in southern Germany. In addition, SCI Verkehr was responsible for organisation and bid management.