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.

Strategical analysis of the freight wagon market in Ukraine

Customer: Leasing company

In order to prepare the decision of an investor, SCI Verkehr analysed advantages as well as disadvantages of two main opportunities in the Ukrainian market: Selling a freight wagon fleet or, on the other hand, continuing operations of a leasing company. For this analysis, SCI Verkehr applies a tried and tested methodology for calculating market value of the fleet as well as a forecast for the perspective development of rail freight transport in Ukraine.

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

Analysis PSO awardings

Customer: Rail vehicle manufacturer

SCI Verkehr analysed all SPNV contracts in Germany up to 2030 for a rail vehicle manufacturer and compiled the key figures in a data table. A particular focus was on data on the fleet in use, e.g. years of construction, number of seats or performance of the vehicles. The basis has been the SCI database, in which all SPNV awards and fleets are systematically documented.

Support in reuse of regional rail vehicles

Customer: European leasing company

SCI Verkehr supported a leasing company operating all across Europe in the reuse of their own regional rail vehicle fleet. For this, suitable sub-networks were identified and analysed. The vehicle requirements of the transport contracts in question were assessed with regard to their technical feasibility and the resulting investments. Additionally, the valuation criteria for the operation of used vehicles were analysed. SCI Verkehr provided additional support in consulting with regional rail transport authorities.

Strategic perspectives in the service market

Customer: Rolling stock manufacturer

On behalf of a rolling stock manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analyses the fleets of railway companies with regard to services. Taking the perspective of a maintenance provider, focus is put on identifying market potentials for modernisations and revisions as well as assessing the market development of individual vehicle segments, countries and regions.

Asset Valuations Examples

Valuation of freight wagons

Customer: Leasing company

For a leasing company, SCI Verkehr analysed the asset value development of sliding wall freight wagons (Habbiins-16) and bulk freight wagons (Falns) over their entire lifecycle. In addition to the analysis of the technical vehicle values, the expert report also included statements concerning a possible reuse of the freight wagons.

Preparation of basic principles for vehicle financing in rail transport

Customer:  Financier

SCI Verkehr supported an internationally active financier in setting up a branch for the financing of rail vehicles. Valuation methodologies, realisation risks and reuse scenarios were prepared for the areas of locomotives, traction units and freight wagons.

Locomotive valuation in the course of refinancing

Customer: Leasing company

In the course of a refinancing, SCI Verkehr valued a portfolio of modern shunting and universal locomotives on behalf of a European lessor. Both a cost-based and an income-based valuation (IVS 2022 valuation standards) were carried out.

Public Consulting Examples

Logistical site expertise for an administrative district

Customer: Economic development agency

For the purpose of establishing expertise as a basis for site marketing in the logistics sector, data and facts on the site were collected and processed and competitive analyses were carried out with other regions. In addition to information already known, SCI Verkehr processed the average transport prices for six selected example routes and verified these in discussions with local logistics companies. The further processing of statistical indicators such as the labour market/skilled personnel, structure of the distribution of commercial industry in the administrative district, existing networks and procurement markets for industry and trade ultimately led to a derivation of the logistical marketing strategy.

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

Supporting change processes and personnel planning of a rail freight transport company

Customer: Rail freight transport company

A leading provider of rail freight transport services is planning to reorganise its customer support according to market requirements. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to evaluate envisaged and partly already implemented measures and to support coordinating personnel planning in terms of participation .

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

Strategic realignment of leading European freight railway

Customer: Leading European freight railway

The commissioning railway company active in European rail freight transport is in an economically strained situation with clearly decreasing market shares, declining transport services and unsatisfactory performance. Defined objectives of the company are to increase production stability, reorganise operations of sales and production as well as increasing productivity and economic improvement of selected areas of operation. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to monitor and accompany the process as expert consultant.

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.

Process optimisation at a logistics site

Customer: Global player in the food industry

A central production and logistics site of our client showed ongoing logistical deficits: long waiting and processing times for lorries and out-of stock situations affected the performance of the site. At the same time, the client intended to integrate a smaller site from the local area, in order to raise the performance of the site concerned. SCI Verkehr was commissioned by the company management to analyse the main hurdles for a better performance of the site, present ways for improvement and, in cooperation with the company, implement the required measures. The main aim was to accelerate processing times. For this purpose it was necessary to remodel the logistical processes, together with staff on site. As part of an "operational excellence process", the consultancy and support from SCI Verkehr largely aimed towards activating employee expertise at the site. In this way, the upcoming changes in staffing were communicated and established, enabling sustainable optimisation of processes.