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

Economic survey Hamburg logistics

Customer: Logistics network

SCI Verkehr has been conducting a member survey regarding the economic development of the logistic sector in Hamburg on behalf of the Logistikinitiative Hamburg since 2009. The collected data is checked against the SCI/Logistikbarometer and put into the national context. This survey was conducted once again in 2016 and was presented at the initiative's general assembly.

Reorientation of the corporate strategy

Customer:

SCI Verkehr reviewed the decision-making processes of a major rail freight operator in Europe. Based on the stocktaking and a review, recommendations were derived for a repositioning of the strategy with a view to a larger market share.

Risk analysis transport authority

Customer: Transport authority local rail transport

A transport authority required a risk analysis concerning various tender models in local rail transport for its partners. SCI Verkehr compared various possibilities regarding their implementation probability and possibilities to reduce the risk for the transport authority.

Market Analyses Examples

Market analysis level crossing protection systems

Customer: Supplier of signalling equipment

On behalf of a supplier of signalling equipment, SCI Verkehr investigated the market for level crossing protection systems. The focus of this investigation was an analysis of investment potentials of new level crossing protection systems over the next 5 years.

Handling technologies for the combined transport in Europe

Customer: International freight wagon manufacturer

On behalf of a non-European freight wagon manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analyses the development of combined transport in Europe. Focus is on analysis and benchmarking of solutions for non-craneable semi-trailers and associated freight wagons.

Worldwide market analysis for traction system components

Customer: Component supplier for rolling stock traction system

SCI analysed the global market for selected rolling stock types and thereby the target markets for components of the traction system. In addition to the demand side, SCI focused on changes in the competitive picture in the industry. The results were presented and discussed as part of an internal strategy workshop for the management of a rolling stock component supplier.

Asset Valuations Examples

Secondary market analysis for double-deck coaches

Customer: Rail leasing company

On behalf of a rail leasing company, SCI Verkehr analysed the re-use possibilities of double-deck coaches in the German and EU regional rail transport. For this purpose, future railway contracts were evaluated regarding their accuracy of fit for the respective coaches and the prospects of success for a re-use are estimated.

Assessment of used tank wagons in continental Europe

Customer: European leasing company

In the context of purchasing used tank wagons, SCI Verkehr assesses a fleet of compressed gas and chemical tank wagons on behalf of a European leasing company. Assessment of the wagons is conducted according to DCF and DRC methods and takes into account the wagon-specific supply and demand situation.

Asset valuation of European rail vehicle portfolio

Customer: European rolling stock financing company

On behalf of a European rolling stock financing company, SCI Verkehr appraised an extensive portfolio consisting of locomotives, multiple units, freight wagons and passenger coaches as well as high speed trains. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr developed an evaluation method based on IRFS standards. Additionally, extensive documentation of the fleet and its assessment was produced.

Public Consulting Examples

Cost/Benefit analysis of interoperability

Customer: European Union

SCI Verkehr will carry out a cost-benefit analysis for the EU to evaluate the economic effects of interoperability guidelines for conventional transport. In particular, the consequences of interoperability for the railway industry will be identified and evaluated in cooperation with the AEIF.

Serbian priorities, financial aid and interests of the NRW economy for the reconstruction of the infrastructure in Serbia.

Customer: Ministerium für Wirtschaft und Mittelstand, Energie und Verkehr des Landes NRW (The Ministry for Economy and Small Business, Energy and Traffic of State North Rhine-Westphalia)

Technical preparation of a delegation journey of the Prime Minister of the State of North Rhine-Westphallia, Herr Wolfgang Clement, to Serbia. For this purpose information was collected concerning the priorities on the side of Serbia for the reconstruction of the infrastructure, sources and conditions of financing and also concerning the interests of the NRW economical community in reconstruction in Serbia.

Relevance and Perspectives of Rail Traffic - Campaign for Innovation and Employment in the German Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt

Customer: Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Traffic of Saxony-Anhalt

Analysis and assessment of rail related employment, trends of development, strengths and weaknesses of rail related companies in Saxony-Anhalt, options for action.

Profitability Analyses Examples

VDD in the intermodal transport segment

Customer: Railway undertaking company

SCI Verkehr has supported a rail undertaking in the intermodal transport segment at a VDD process. SCI Verkehr has prepared documents for the data room regarding market definition, size and development, including forecast and drivers of the market. Thereby it considered also regulations, innovations and competition. SCI Verkehr has analysed the business model of the client and prepared basic information such as KPI that were relevant for the process.

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.

Customs procedures for the container traffic Denmark ? German North Sea harbours ? Overseas newly to be installed

Customer: Logistic company

The European liberalisation of railway traffic allows the utilisation of the infrastructure by private railway transportation enterprises also across national borders. However, as opposed to the state railways, the regional railways cannot make use of the simplified common shipping procedure but are subject to the regulating procedures of the common / community shipping procedure. With this report a recommendation was developed for procedural management under the existing conditions.

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.

Consultancy services for negotiations regarding follow-up infrastructure contract

Customer: Industrial company

The contract between DB Netz AG and an industrial company concerning the operation of a siding was unilaterally terminated and is going to be replaced by a new agreement to terms in line with the market. SCI Verkehr advised the siding operator on all technical and strategic issues, independently conducted the dialogue with DB Netz AG, reviewed all essential documents and took part in the official negotiations for the contract.

Implementation of operational excellence project in logistics

Customer: Global player in the food industry

In autumn 2008, a client from the food industry carried out a wide-reaching operational excellence project at one of its sites. In this project, the production and logistics (warehousing and distribution) systems were examined and various changes resolved. One of the main changes to the logistics system was an optimisation of loading during the night. SCI Verkehr supported the implementation of the changes, also operationally, and held several meetings on location in order to ensure the sustainability of the process changes.