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

Management presentation rolling stock leasing

Customer: Financial investor

On behalf of an international financial investor, SCI Verkehr prepares a management presentation on opportunities within European rolling stock leasing. The presentation forms the basis for a strategic decision regarding entering the rail sector.

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.

Efficiency increases of a locomotive fleet

Customer: European rail freight operator

On behalf of a European rail freight transport operator, SCI Verkehr increased efficiency of the locomotive fleet directly during operation within production. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr analysed the situation of the existing locomotive fleet of the company, on the basis of which, we created a strategy to increase efficiency during operation which could directly be implemented. Locomotive demand in transport performance, reliability and availability as well as maintenance requirements were particularly considered in detail.

Market Analyses Examples

Global existing fleet and demand for buses

Customer: Component supplier

On behalf of a component supplier related to the railway and bus sector, SCI Verkehr analyses current and future stock of buses and their demand potential. Buses are classified into three types: city buses, intercity buses and coaches. Regional focus of the analysis lies on Europe, Russia, Japan as well on selected metropolises in Asia and the Middle East.

Original price and leasing rates of freight wagons

Customer: European banking company

SCI Verkehr investigated fair market prices as well as leasing rates for different types of freight wagons (for some types including safety equipment) in Europe. In addition, SCI Verkehr evaluated the freight wagon types regarding leasing opportunities.

Market value analysis freight wagons

Customer: Freight wagon manufacturer

SCI Verkehr advised a manufacturer of innovative freight wagons on the acquisition of financing models with the analysis of potential market value trends.

Asset Valuations Examples

Update freight wagon fleet appraisal

Customer: Freight wagon owner

On behalf of a freight wagon owner, SCI Verkehr prepares an annual market value analysis of the fleet. Supply, demand and current technical state of the fleet are considered.

Analysing the price development of rail vehicles on the asset value

Customer: Financier

On behalf of a financier of rail vehicles, SCI Verkehr is analysing the impact of the rising prices of new vehicles on the asset value of used vehicles. In this context, SCI Verkehr also defines new comparative assets of locomotives, railcars, passenger vehicles and infrastructure vehicles for a valuation according to the cost-based RC valuation approach.

Valuation update of shunting locomotives

Customer: International bank

For an annual portfolio update, SCI Verkehr has analysed a shunting locomotive fleet in terms of its current market value. SCI Verkehr has taken into consideration prices for new rolling stock, leasing rates and the development of the market for used vehicles.

Public Consulting Examples

Environmental risk assessment of rolling stock financing

Customer: Allianz pro Schiene e.V.

SCI Verkehr developed a method for considering environmental criteria when valuating rolling stock. This is especially important for credit providers for the purpose of performing risk assessments when financing rolling stock. The method was developed within the scope of a project of the Federal Ministry of the Environment for Allianz pro Schiene e.V. in cooperation with HSH Nordbank and IZT in Berlin.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Support CDD to an Intermodal Terminal

Customer: strategic investor

SCI Verkehr supported a strategic investor in its commercial due diligence on an intermodal terminal (rail-road) in Germany. This involved accompanying the development of the investor's valuation approach, assessing operational benefits/opportunities and analysing development potential.

Support for the restructuring of a vehicle fleet

Customer: Global player in the beverage industry

A leading company in beverage logistics operates its own large fleet of trucks. In order to increase the efficiency of the fleet, SCI Verkehr presented an analysis of the most important positive drivers as a first step. The second step was to change the most important basic conditions in terms of profitability.

Process optimisations Examples

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.

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.

Evaluation of different effects of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAK) on the performance of rail freight traffic

Customer: Railway undertaking

On behalf of a railway undertaking, SCI Verkehr is analysing the effects of the introduction of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAK) on the performance of rail freight transport. As part of a meta-study, SCI Verkehr summarises the results of various studies on the DAK and its effects in line and shunting operations and evaluates them with regard to an increase in capacity after the successful migration of the DAK after 2030.