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

Forecast of a target fleet of locomotives and suppliers ETCS onboard strategy

Customer: Railway infrastructure manager

On behalf of a railway infrastructure operator, SCI Verkehr analysed the current locomotive fleet and its existing equipment with ETCS and prepared a forecast of the expected future locomotive fleet over the next ten years. This analysis took into account infrastructural, operational and on-board developments and also considered the roadmap of the main European suppliers of ETCS equipment and their long-term strategy.

Business valuation freight wagon lessor for institutional investor

Customer: Investor

SCI Verkehr supported an internationally active institutional investor in the business valuation of a European freight car leasing company. Inputs for the business plan were provided and validated and the valuation model is built together with an external valuer.

Commercial due diligence on a rail vehicle leasing company

Customer: Investor 

SCI Verkehr supported an investor in the preparation of a CDD in the run-up to the submission of a non-binding offer. Together with other consultants, fleet strategies, investment planning and corporate KPIs were reviewed.

Market Analyses Examples

Development of rail vehicle fleets in Europe

Customer: Supplier

SCI Verkehr compiled fleet size and development of different rail vehicle segments on behalf of a customer. The results were differentiated based on countries and the largest European operators.

Market study freight wagon leasing

Customer: Infrastructure fund

On behalf of a leading global investment company, SCI Verkehr compiled a market study on freight wagon leasing in Europe. This study is used as a basis for a business strategy. Besides a market overview, synergy effects and the economic consequences of the German rail freight master plan are presented.

Asset Valuations Examples

Valuation of electric multiple units

Customer: Financial investor

On behalf of a financial investor, SCI Verkehr developed a valuation of electric multiple units used in suburban transport. Special emphasis was placed on the recoverability of the assets and possibilities for reuse of the vehicles.

Update assessment of market value of multi-system locomotives

Customer: European rail freight operator

In the context of the project, SCI Verkehr assesses the current market value of electric multi-system locomotives in Central Europe. Valuation is conducted by means of a cost-based and an income-based evaluation approach. In the context of determining the market values, special focus is given to the consideration of the secondary market.

Impairment test for freight wagons

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a long-standing customer, SCI Verkehr, once again, analyses the value-over-time of a freight wagon portfolio, applying the latest calculation models and market prognoses. With regard to the supply and demand situation in the different markets relevant to the vehicles, the latest analytical calculations as well as current benchmarks were applied.

Public Consulting Examples

Environmental criteria in short-distance passenger rail transport competition

Customer: Allianz pro Schiene

On behalf of Allianz pro Schiene, SCI Verkehr is analysing the importance of ecological-related decision-making criteria within the German competition market for short-distance passenger rail transport. For this, environmental criteria are going to be analysed with regard to completed awards of short-distance passenger rail transport services and their future importance.

North Rhine-Westphalia Railway Initiative

Customer: North Rhine Westphalia Ministry of Transport, Energy and Regional Planning

Conception and organization of the North Rhine-Westphalia Railway Initiative between 2003 and 2005. In the second project phase starting in 2004, a founded analysis of qualification requirements of the rail transport economy is being conducted. The recruitment of young experts is also being encouraged, and a specialized science conference in North Rhine-Westphalia will be prepared and supported. In the third phase (2005), a new start was made with a public event featuring the minister in january 2005 as well as a publicly effective presentation of the market study ?Rail Market North Rhine Westphalia?. Within the ?Workshop series New Rail?, following a cycle of 2-3 months, specific events on different subjects are offered to intrested companies. Like in 2001 and 2003, the second half of 2005 is dedicated to the preparation and implementation of the international trade fair ?Rail#tec 2005?.

Development of an industrial main track

Customer:

A German municipality is in possession of extensive track facilities at a local industrial area (industrial main track). This infrastructure has not been used for freight services for many years. In the meantime, an investment backlog has arisen, and the track systems are currently not usable. In order to support a council decision on further action, SCI Verkehr is to examine the prospects of the industrial main track.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Innovative drives for rail vehicles

Customer: Federal Ministry of Transport

On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport, SCI Verkehr investigated the applicability of innovative drives for rail vehicles that run on non-electrified lines. In addition to economic efficiency, changes relevant to the environment (e.g. emission reduction) were also evaluated.

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.

Benchmarking of production techniques and construction materials

Customer: Supplier of sub-systems

On behalf of a supplier of sub-systems, SCI Verkehr has benchmarked different production methods and construction materials for a component. Especially the comparison between railway technology and other mobile applications is supposed to illustrate adaptation possibilities of solutions from other areas.

Process optimisations Examples

Supporting outsourcing planning

Customer: Luxury foods manufacturer

A leading company in the luxury foods industry is planning to reorganise its distribution process, which it has performed itself with its own sites and vehicles up to now. The company now intends to contract these services to a logistics service provider (outsourcing). SCI Verkehr is checking the concept put together by the customer internally for plausibility and is giving useful advice for the further negotiations with the service provider.

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.

Supporting changes in a production company

Customer: Global player in the food industry

In the context of restructuring, a global enterprise in the food industry intends to close a logistics site and several production sites in Germany as well as to reorganise further core departments. SCI Verkehr surveys the plans and supports the process of negotiating a reconciliation of interests. Also, alternative scenarios are developed and moderated in this context.