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

Supporting the restructuring of a leading European rail freight company

Customer: European rail freight company

A leading European rail freight company has to reorganize itself completely in terms of profitability, efficiency and reliability. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to support the restructuring process actively and to bring in expertise in railway operation, processes and strategy. Focus is also put on close involvement in terms of co-determination.

Market analysis of freight transport and logistics

Customer: Freight wagon leasing company

In this project, the flow of European goods from important companies in five selected sectors were analysed in terms of sources, destinations, volumes and types of goods. A customer analysis regarding the transport process and transport demands was also carried out. Prognoses concerning market developments in specific sectors of rail freight transport were then compiled and, on the basis of the flow of transport, new potential customers for railway transport were identified.

Commercial Due Diligence for a component manufacturer

Customer:

On behalf of an investor, SCI Verkehr carried out a commercial due diligence. The target is a component manufacturer for rail vehicles.

Market Analyses Examples

Fleet information on rail vehicles and components installed in them

Customer: Component supplier

SCI Verkehr compiles fleet information on various rolling stock segments and their aftermarket potentials. The project is built on a data base including vehicles, related delivery volumes as well as installed components.

Demand analysis and market assessment electric locomotives

Customer: Asset and investment manager

As a basis for an investment decision, SCI Verkehr assessed the market for sale and leasing of electric mainline locomotives in continental Europe. The focus of this analysis was on a supply and demand analysis as well as the determination of expected purchasing prices and leasing rates.

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

Fair value determination of electric and diesel locomotives

Customer: Railway funds

On behalf of a funding company, SCI Verkehr determined the fair value of electric and diesel locomotives in cooperation with a technical expert. The value is determined using the cost-based DRC approach taking into account the market and competitive situation in the respective country markets.

Brief analysis of North American diesel locomotives

Customer: International bank

Regarding the financing of diesel locomotives for the North American market, SCI Verkehr has analysed the market risks of the assets on behalf of an international bank.

Value analysis of modern EMUs

Customer: Financing institute

On behalf of a vehicle leasing company, SCI Verkehr analysed the value development of modern EMUs over their lifecycle. The valuation was carried out with the aid of the asset value tool developed by SCI Verkehr, taking into account the reuse potential of the vehicles during and at the end of a commuter transport franchise in Germany and Europe.

Public Consulting Examples

OSIRIS - Optimized System for an Innovative Rail Integrated Seaport connection

Customer: EU-Kommission GD Vll - Transport

An analysis of the operation of intermodal transport by rail shows that the integration and improvement of existing concepts and the set up of new concepts are required. The main objective of the OSIRIS concept is to improve the price- quality ratio of intermodal transport. The target of OSIRIS is to create new and competitive offers by integrating and connecting new into existing technical components and to innovate the operational and organisational issues. Operational experiences of the OSIRIS concept should be gained throughout selected pilot demonstrator in a future realisation phase.

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.

Marketability of a product innovation

Customer: Service provider

On behalf of a client, SCI Verkehr is analysing the marketability of an innovation for rail freight transport. The product is still in the development stage - therefore the willingness to pay of potential customers and the economic viability of the development are to be checked at an early stage.

Development opportunities for a private siding in the Ruhr valley

Customer: Industrial company

An industrial wasteland in the centre of the Ruhr Valley is the subject of plans for new industrial and/or logistical development. With regard to marketing the areas, it has to be decided whether to keep the existing private siding and, if so, in what form. SCI Verkehr has derived a railway-related development concept based on the relevant technical, legal and economical factors. It includes various different strategies for the detailed conversion of the area needed to best meet the requirements of the (still unknown) companies wishing to locate in the area, the sequence of the development stages, costs and revenues from construction and operation and how these would be distributed between involved parties. With the aid of well-founded/backed up documents, SCI Verkehr has been able to accompany the entire decision process regarding the dismantling or keeping of the private siding.

Process optimisations Examples

Assessment of planned location changes

Customer: Global player in food industry

A leading company in the food industry is planning to close individual, independently operating logistics locations with storages and commissioning in Germany or to re-utilise them as pure cross dock storage. To this end, SCI Verkehr is carrying out a cross check, is providing important advice on potential risks of the planned concept and is suggesting possible amendments to the plan developed by the customer.

Preparation of a bid for commuter rail transport in northern Germany

Customer: Railway company

SCI Verkehr supported the railway company in the strategic and operational preparation of a bid for transport services in northern Germany. The objective was to submit an attractive, innovative and reasonably priced bid for rail services. SCI Verkehr performed the conceptual and technical planning, the editorial preparation and operational and organisational support.