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

Analysis of the global wheel set market

Customer: Rail wheels and wheel sets manufacturer

In the context of the sales process of a component manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analyses the worldwide market for rolling stock and derives from this supply and demand structures for rail wheels and wheel sets. The analysis is differentiated according to region, vehicle types, and various other requirements. The results will also be of use within the context of competition assessment.

Appraisal medium-sized component manufacturer

Customer: Private equity investor

On behalf of a private equity firm, SCI Verkehr analysed and appraised the strategic perspectives of a manufacturer of rail vehicle components and railway infrastructure.

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.

Market Analyses Examples

Compilation and updating of a project monitoring tool

Customer: Manufacturer of doors and components for rolling stock

For a globally active manufacturer of rolling stock components, SCI Verkehr created and is continuously updating a project monitoring tool. This monitoring tool presents the data and facts essential for success and decision making. The client receives information on relevant vehicle projects and can thus develop projects and initiate necessary product developments in good time. The latest results can be accessed at any time in a client-specific internet platform.

Support for the introduction of DAC in European rail freight transport

Customer: Research Consortium

Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) in rail freight transport is considered a key technology for achieving the European growth and climate protection targets by 2030. The realization of an EU-wide migration concept requires, among other things, the identification of locomotive series in European freight transport that are suitable for DAC retrofitting. SCI Verkehr is pleased to be able to support decision-makers in politics, science and the rail industry in answering this central question with the targeted evaluation and preparation of detailed locomotive fleet data from SCI DATABASE

Potentials in maintenance

Customer: Vehicle maintenance company

The project is based on a detailed analysis of the market for vehicle maintenance in 23 European countries. It analyses competitors, manufacturers and owners of rail vehicles as well as their vehicle stocks, own maintenance possibilities and maintenance requirements. The project assesses market access for rail vehicle maintenance, estimates the further development of European maintenance markets and derives advice for opening up these markets.

Asset Valuations Examples

Survey hopper wagons North America

Customer: German financial institute

In the context of planned financing of hopper wagons (covered hoppers) in North America, SCI Verkehr carries out a residual value appraisal for a German bank. Fair market value and orderly liquidation value are determined based on asset and market analysis.

Support in developing a valuation system for rolling stock

Customer: International credit institute

On behalf of an internationally active credit institute, SCI Verkehr analysed the price development of new locomotives, multiple units and passenger coaches in the European market with the aid of the SCI railway technology database. In addition, SCI performed an analysis of the used vehicle market for these vehicle categories. The information was used by the client to calculate and validate internal value reductions within the scope of an asset valuation system.

Valuation tool and update DRC method

Customer: Financer of rolling stock operating throughout Europe

SCI Verkehr supports a financer of a European rolling stock portfolio in implementing an in-house valuation tool. For this purpose, relevant individual steps of the DRC method and data bases pertinent to the valuation are reappraised. In addition to that, a short assessment of the large fleet is provided.

Public Consulting Examples

Economic barometer for logistics in Hamburg

Customer: Logistikinitiative Hamburg

SCI Verkehr surveyed the members of ?Logistikinitiative Hamburg? on its business development over the past year (2007) and their expectations for the coming year (2008). The results were compared with the monthly analyses of the Germany-wide SCI/logistics barometer. This comparison gave rise to the economic barometer for logistics in Hamburg. ?Logistikinitiative Hamburg? uses this barometer as an important indicator for the development and success of its own activities.

Management LOG-IT CLUB

Customer: LOG-IT Club e.V.

Since the foundation of the LOG-IT Club e.V. in November 2002, SCI Verkehr has conducted the business of the association. This includes the support of the association committees, account management, budgetary control and acceptance of new members.

Management LOG-IT CLUB

Customer: LOG-IT Club e.V.

Since the foundation of the LOG-IT Club e.V. in November 2002, SCI Verkehr has conducted the business of the association. This includes the support of the association committees, account management, budgetary control and acceptance of new members.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Plausibility check of an operator?s maintenance strategy with the focus on technical maintenance plants

Customer: Operator

Checking the plausibility of a plan to reduce capacity and close sites for heavy maintenance. Preparing recommendations for the next steps with the objective of maintaining as many competitive jobs in the maintenance plants as possible.

Strategy development own fleet

Customer: Global player in the beverage industry

A global player in the beverage industry operates its own truck fleet in order to distribute its products in Germany. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to develop a strategy for the fleet´s further development, taking into account external influences (e.g. transport market) as well as internal structures. The process was closely coordinated with the customer and employee representatives and a joint implementation process was agreed upon.

Investment calculation railroad technology/infrastructure

Customer:

SCI Verkehr carried out an investment and profitability calculation for a service provider operating in the rail sector. This related to an investment in track and hall infrastructure as well as railroad engineering equipment. The profitability analysis was carried out for the investment and operation over 30 years.

Process optimisations Examples

Reorganisation of system transport business processes

Customer: Shipping/Logistics company

Analysis of the daily operational processes in trans-shipping facilities and in administrative areas. Direct support in the implementation of suggestions for improvement of daily operations.

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.

Reorganisation of logistical and administrative processes at storage facilities

Customer: Commercial company

An important German commercial company gradually bundled its storage structures (five locations) into one central company unit. Within the course of the integration of the fourth location into the new structures, administrative and logistical processes had to be standardised and prepared for a later ISO certification. SCI Verkehr has organised an operational excellence process with management, local managers and staff to develop the best possible solution for the organisation. In this process new standardised procedures have been developed, documented and then introduced as compulsory. SCI Verkehr has overseen the implementation of the new working methods at several locations on-site.