SCI Verkehr is an independent and highly specialised management consultancy focusing on strategic issues in the international rail and logistics business. We support our business partners in industry and politics by analysing markets and developing viable and tailor-made strategies for the future. This includes asset valuation, support for M&A activities, optimisation of portfolios and existing processes, as well as the development of new markets and business areas.

Strategic Management Consultancy Examples

Workshop on strategic options for company continuation

Customer: German rail logistics company

In the context of a workshop, SCI Verkehr developed the basis for a logistics company\'s future strategy. The focus was on options for a succession plan and the determination of further necessary steps. SCI Verkehr was supported in this project by an external expert in the area of company continuation.

Commercial Due Diligence Freight Car and Container Leasing

Customer: Private Equity Investor

SCI Verkehr supported a leading infrastructure investor in a commercial due diligence process in the area of freight wagon and container leasing. In addition, a complete valuation of the fleet was carried out according to cost and income-based valuation methods.

Expert exchange on DMU maintenance market

Customer: Investor

SCI Verkehr has supported an investor with questions regarding the DMU market in Germany. Special focus was on the maintenance of DMUs and the future market of maintenance in general. To achieve better market knowledge, SCI Verkehr is participating in an expert call. 

Market Analyses Examples

Market information for the maintenance of rail wheels in Germany

Customer: Rail vehicle maintenance company

The study contains information about the number of the rail-mounted vehicles being used in Germany, including the number of axels and maintenance cycles. It also includes an estimate of current price and cost levels for rail wheels in Germany.

Market assessment freight wagons

Customer: Finance company

On behalf of a potential investor, SCI Verkehr analysed the demand and supply of rail freight wagons of the UIC type U and Z in continental Europe. The analysis focused on the market development in the respective transport segments.

Analysis of private wagon owners

Customer: Freight wagons leasing company

Within the scope of the project SCI Verkehr is analysing the market for private wagon owners in selected European countries.

Asset Valuations Examples

Evaluation of a portfolio of passenger transport vehicles

Customer: Railway company

SCI Verkehr evaluated an extensive portfolio of passenger transport vehicles using the cost-based RC valuation method. The project included a valuation that took into account the technical condition of the assets as well as the current market demand.

Portfolio valuation of a leasing locomotive fleet

Customer:

On behalf of a refinancing credit institution, SCI Verkehr carried out a follow-up valuation for a leasing locomotive portfolio in Europe.

Valuation of a European railway vehicle portfolio

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a European leasing company, SCI Verkehr valued an extensive portfolio of rail freight transport and passenger transport vehicles (existing and on-order fleet) according to the IVS standard 2024 (DCF valuation). Particular focus was placed on assessing the positioning of the fleet in the current challenging market environment for rail freight transport.

Public Consulting Examples

Modern Railways Shanghai

Customer: Conference society

Contact to and acquisition of railway engineering companies for their participation in the international ?Modern Railways? conference in Shanghai, September 22-25, 2003.

Series of workshops for the first environmental comparison of rail transport

Customer: Allianz pro Schiene

On behalf of Allianz pro Schiene e.V., SCI Verkehr is professionally assisting the conception and implementation of a series of workshops on the theme of "Environment and Rail Transport" in addition to the "First Environmental Comparison of Rail Transport". The range of tasks includes helping to select the speakers, support in contacting the speakers, compiling and producing the meeting documents as well as looking after the speakers and participants on site.

Feasibility study on alternative drives

Customer: Public transport authority

SCI Verkehr was commissioned by a public transport authority to prepare a feasibility study on the planned use of alternatively powered rail vehicles. The focus of the analyses was on the economic feasibility of hydrogen and battery-powered trains in terms of operation, energy and infrastructure. A life cycle cost (LCC) model from SCI was applied. The aim of the study was to determine the economically and operationally optimal drive technologies against the background of the existing and future infrastructure of various networks, for example with regard to charging and refuelling processes.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Benchmark for maintenance of freight wagons

Customer:

On behalf of an investor, SCI Verkehr prepared a comprehensive market analysis for the maintenance of freight wagons. This included a review of the basic principles of maintenance, an analysis of the main trends and drivers in the market, an explanation of new technological developments and an overview of maintenance companies and their locations. A focus of the analyses was also the benchmarking of prices of maintenance periods for different wagon types and components, as well as their development.

Maintenance costs passenger coaches

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr has determined maintenance costs for passenger coaches as input for a business plan for a young leasing company. For this purpose, the life cycle costs for different wagon types and operating scenarios were calculated.

Process optimisations Examples

Investigation of site closures

Customer: Global player in the food industry

With the objective of realising rationalisation potential in distribution and warehousing, our client planned to consolidate three logistics sites into one central location near to production. In order to achieve this, the existing logistics site had to be restored using construction measures. SCI Verkehr as a neutral expert was involved in the decision-making process with regard to necessary investments and performed a cross checking of assumptions and calculations made. The expert's report focused on the personnel and investments required.

Future workshop logistics

Customer: Global player in the food industry

The works committee and logistics management of a global player in the food industry intended to initiate an open dialogue about the future optimisation of logistical processes with external support. By conducting talks with both sides, SCI Verkehr prepared the dialogue, hosted the meetings of a joint working group and provided specialist input with the aim of developing a common perception of the logistical future of the company.

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.