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

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.

Analysis of investment opportunities in European rail passenger transport

Customer: International development bank

On behalf of an international development bank, SCI Verkehr analyses investment opportunities in Western European rail passenger transport markets. Focussing on five country markets, SCI Verkehr analyses structures and framework conditions of high speed markets as well as regional and local city transport markets. Further, it is referred to interfaces, responsibilities of different actors as well as relevant entry points for investors.

Market overview opportunities and risks rail vehicle leasing

Customer: Infrastructure fund

SCI Verkehr evaluated the opportunities and risks in the continental European market for rail vehicle leasing. The objective was to generally test the field for its suitability for infrastructure funds and concrete investment opportunities.

Market Analyses Examples

Market analysis of Indian wheel set market

Customer: European wheel set manufacturer

The aim of the project was a brief analysis of the current and future dynamics in the Indian wheel set market. In addition to a volume assessment, SCI Verkehr also illustrated the value creation and supply structures as well as the competitive conditions. On this basis, the potential for a market entry strategy was worked out.

The Chinese market for rail vehicle components

Customer: Component manufacturer

SCI Verkehr provided a leading international manufacturer of rail vehicle components with in-depth insight into the Chinese market for rail vehicle components. For this, SCI Verkehr analysed the current numbers and development dynamics as a preparation for the client's internal decision-making process.

Analysis of potential for hydrogen shunters

Customer: An infrastructure manager

SCI Verkehr analysed the future potential of hydrogen shunters and the corresponding demand for an hydrogen refuelling station for an infrastructure manager. This included a survey of railway undertakings present on the network, the calculation of the future demand for hydrogen and a SWOT analysis of different operating models for a hydrogen refuelling station.

Asset Valuations Examples

Vehicle assessment diesel locomotives in Germany

Customer: Private investor

SCI Verkehr supports a private investor with the valuation of modern diesel locomotives in the German market. The valuation is carried out using the replacement value method.

Annual valuation of freight wagon fleet incl. demand supply analysis

Customer: European freight wagon lessor

SCI Verkehr carried out an annual valuation update for a European freight wagon fleet (intermodal wagons). The market value of the fleet was estimated based on the cost and income approach according to IVS 2020. In addition, SCI Verkehr prepared an extensive demand supply analysis for the market for intermodal wagons in Continental Europe.

Freight wagon impairment test

Customer: European Leasing Provider

SCI Verkehr made impairment tests for various rail freight wagons with regard to their performance. The results of previous valuations are checked against the background of actual developments. The main focus is on the demand situation in the respective vehicle markets.

Public Consulting Examples

Assessment of economic consequences of reducing regionalisation funds

Customer: Transport Association Rhine-Ruhr

The reduction of regionalisation funds for short-distance passenger transport will have far-reaching effects on the range of transport on offer. The consequences for companies and employees will be of particular significance. SCI Verkehr has assessed the economic effects of the reduction of regionalisation funds in the form of a brief expert opinion.

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

Commercial due diligence of an European Rail Freight Operator

Customer: Infrastructure fund

SCI Verkehr supported a potential investor with the analysis of a rail freight operator active in the intermodal segment. SCI Verkehr developed an outside-in business plan based on public information as well as in-house expertise about this business. SCI Verkehr provided detailed assumptions and parameters for three business divisions: container transport (rail and road), intermodal terminal operations (internal and external) as well as fleet management (locomotive and freight wagons)

Technical/economical assessment of new development and upgrading of a testing centre

Customer: Public sector

On behalf of national and regional authorities, SCI Verkehr examined the new development and upgrading of a testing centre for rolling stock and infrastructure components in an EU country. This primarily involved the analysis of future test requirements and test potential as well as transferring this information into a technical/economical analysis to identify the optimum upgrade level for the current volume of funding.

Support for a liquidation process

Customer: Asset appraiser

SCI Verkehr supports a liquidation process of a freight wagon fleet in Eastern Europe. It analyses the economic feasibility of the process and checks the plausibility of costs in different scenarios.

Process optimisations Examples

Support tram tender

Customer: Rolling stock manufacturer

SCI Verkehr supported an Asian manufacturer of rolling stock in a European tram tender process. This included an analysis of the tender documents and preparatory background talks as well as the recommendation of a suitable product and project strategy.

Improvement of logistics processes at a site in Baden-Württemberg

Customer: Global player in the beverage industry

A global player in the beverage industry is looking to optimise its logistics processes at a combined production and logistics site in Baden-Württemberg. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to re-work storage processes and logistics interfaces with other divisions such as production, distribution and sales in a collaboration with the management, works committee and employees, and to document the results afterwards.

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.