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

Real estate search for a global player in the beverage industry

Customer: Global player in the beverage industry

A global player in the beverage industry had decided to establish a new location in Germany. Considering the given framework conditions, SCI Verkehr supported the company in finding suitable real estate. For this, SCI Verkehr researched and appraised potential properties. Based on this, the company selected a new location.

Pre-CDD to a rail vehicle leasing company

Customer: Rail vehicle leasing company

SCI Verkehr supported an investor in the context of a pre-CDD on a rail vehicle leasing company together with other advisors. The market environment, market development and KPIs of the targets core business were examined. Models are developed as part of the project, SCI Verkehr evaluated the assumptions and results.

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

Market data for passenger vehicles

Customer: Industrial supplier

SCI Verkehr supported a globally active industrial supplier by means of a specific demand analysis and developed a market model tailored to the customer´s product in the course of the project.

Investments in rail vehicles in Germany

Customer: Economic Research Institute

On behalf of a renowned economic research institute, SCI Verkehr analyzed investments in rail vehicles in Germany. A distinction was made based on the type of vehicle (i.e. locomotives, multiple units, etc.) and the investor\'s segment, since both private leasing and transport companies as well as public vehicle pools invest in new assets.

Short analysis component market

Customer: Globally established systems supplier

On behalf of a systems supplier, SCI Verkehr analysed a potential target market. For this, an overview of the European market for a subcomponent of a rail vehicle drive train was presented with regard to market volumes and competitors.

Asset Valuations Examples

Asset valuation of modern intermodal wagons

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr compiled a report about the value development of modern intermodal wagons. The future values were determined with the aid of a DRC valuation on the basis of a demand and supply analysis of the relevant rail freight markets.

Asset valuation electric multiple unit (EMU)

Customer: Private railway company

SCI Verkehr was commissioned by a private railway company to evaluate a fleet of electric multiple units (EMUs) in German regional passenger transport. The replacement cost approach was applied in accordance with IVS 2020. In addition to the analysis of supply and demand for EMUs, the project focused on the determination of a maintenance reserve.

Determining secondary value of LRVs

Customer: Refinancing bank

On behalf of a refinancing bank, SCI Verkehr determines the current market value of LRVs in operation. Special focus is put on analysing and assessing possible scenarios of reuse, also beyond the current field of application.

Public Consulting Examples

Profitability audit LRV procurement

Customer: Transport authority

SCI Verkehr evaluated the economic feasibility of the selected bids for a transport authority in the context of a procurement of new light rail vehicles (LRV). To this end, SCI Verkehr evaluated the tender documents and carried out a price benchmark to determine market prices for LRV.

Specialist support of Initiative Bahn in North Rhine Westphalia

Customer: Ministry for economic affairs, energy, construction, housing and transport of North Rhine-Westphalia

Together with CP Compartner, SCI Verkehr is looking after Initiative Bahn NRW. This cluster initiative is responsible for supporting the diverse railway and transport sector in North Rhine-Westphalia. SCI Verkehr's activities in this respect focus on contextual support for the initiative and dealing with central specialist issues.

Evaluation of an annual business survey of the logistics industry in Hamburg

Customer: Logistik Initiative Hamburg e.V.

SCI produces an annual evaluation of data on the general economic situation of companies in the logistics sector in Hamburg. The data is compared with the SCI/LOGISTIKBAROMETER and thus placed in a nationwide context. Members' assessments of the work of the commissioning initiative are also surveyed.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Economic analysis of a rail freight company

Customer: Private rail freight company 

On behalf of a transport company, SCI Verkehr carried out an analysis of measures to improve the profitability of their business areas. For this purpose, the measures and the general company's positioning in the German rail freight market were examined.

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.

Further development of a rail infrastructure manager’s business model

Customer: Rail infrastructure manager

A public rail infrastructure manager (terminal and tracks) envisages further business development and better financial positioning. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to submit an application on increasing track fees - based on an in depth status analysis - to the federal railway authority on behalf of the company.

Process optimisations Examples

Support in restructuring process in rail freight transport

Customer: Market-leading freight transport company

Against the background of the global economic and financial crisis, a short-term need for a reaction and restructuring arose for a leading company in the freight transport sector. SCI Verkehr GmbH supported the client as a professional expert in close consultation with management. We reviewed the measures developed, compiled alternative scenarios and provided professional support in the negotiations.

Assistance in realising a pilot project in the field of electronic ticketing

Customer: Midsized railway technology company

Our client had developed an innovative system for electronic fare management, which it wished to have tested in practice. In addition, the acceptance of the company was necessary as well as funding. SCI Verkehr took part in the project and assisted the client in quickly satisfying the necessary requirements for using the system in commercial operation.