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

Project management reorganisation sales

Customer: International transport company

On behalf of an international transport company, SCI Verkehr took on the management of a project entailing reorganising the sales department. The project is aimed at developing a uniform sales organisation as well as professionalising the public image. SCI Verkehr supports the customer in organising the project and in terms of content-related sparring.

Market and leasing rate forecast within the scope of the acquisition of a leasing company

Customer: Financial investor

To support an acquisition by a large European leasing company, SCI Verkehr forecast the future development of the leasing market in Europe and the leasing rates to be expected. The individual assets were evaluated with regard to their future positioning in the market. Furthermore, SCI Verkehr carried out a forecast of the general market development and competitive situation for rolling stock leasing in Europe. Using the tried-and-tested market and leasing rate forecasts from SCI Verkehr, the investor was able to estimate the portfolio of the leasing company and thus key elements of the target?s market value.

Preparation of bidding documents for tenders in Western Germany

Customer: Private railway company

SCI Verkehr supported a private railway company in the strategic and operational calculation and preparation of a bid for transport services in Germany. The aim was to submit an attractive, innovative and cost-efficient offer for rail services to maximize the client´s chance of success in the competition for the transport service contract and to subsequently guarantee sustainable economic success and customer satisfaction. SCI Verkehr performed the conceptual and technical planning, calculation, the editorial preparation and operational and organisational support.

Market Analyses Examples

Analysis of the rail vehicle market in Austria and Portugal

Customer:

For an Asian rail vehicle manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analysed the market potential and entry barriers for new rail vehicles in Austria and Portugal.

Prospects of coastal ships at the port location of Luebeck

Customer:

Investigation for the BBL and the LHG Luebeck

Demand analysis for rail vehicle leasing and competitive analysis of main lessors

Customer: Rail investor

On behalf of an investor, SCI Verkehr analysed the current and expected future demand for rolling stock with a focus on locomotives and the corresponding leasing potential derived from this. It also analysed the infrastructural requirements for the use of rolling stock and the most important leasing companies in this sector.

Asset Valuations Examples

Performance and volatility of rail vehicles

Customer: Bank

SCI Verkehr analysed the performance and volatility of asset values of rail vehicles over a time span of 20 years. The identified values are integrated into the internal credit rating of transactions.

Market valuation multi-system locomotives

Customer: European railway company

On behalf of a European railway company, SCI Verkehr determined the current market value of used electric locomotives with the help of a DCF analysis and a DRC valuation.

Assessment of container wagons

Customer: European leasing company

On behalf of a European leasing company, SCI Verkehr assesses a container wagon fleet. Evaluation is conducted by means of the DCF and DRC methods and takes into account the wagon-specific supply and demand situation.

Public Consulting Examples

Logistics Center Cologne/Bonn - location profile and competitive position

Customer: Society for the promotion of economic development North-Rhine/Westphalia ltd. (GfW)

The goal of the consulting activities is the development of a location profile for the logistics region of Cologne/Bonn. The investigation focuses on the possible unique selling points of the planned end-of-runway logistics park in Troisdorf Spich, and its positive effect on the entire region?s economy. The competitive position of such a logistics park and the potential target company will be evaluated with a small strategic analysis of selected competing regions

LogNet Ruhr II

Customer: Projekt Ruhr GmbH

Conceptioning, implementation and follow-up of the LogNet Ruhr initiative. Professional consultation of pilot projects. Continuation of the Logistics Industry on the Ruhr master plan

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

Maintenance costs passenger coaches

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr has determined maintenance costs for passenger coaches as input for a business plan for a young leasing company. For this purpose, the life cycle costs for different wagon types and operating scenarios were calculated.

Market value analysis freight wagons

Customer: Freight wagon manufacturer

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

Process optimisations Examples

Strategic concept freight wagon division

Customer: Railway operator

SCI Verkehr supports a leading railway operator in the conceptual reorganisation of essential parts of rail freight transport. For this purpose, available concepts are reviewed and new approaches to advancing this field of business are developed and evaluated. It is aimed at achieving higher efficiency in this segment by reorganising responsibilities and processes in production and sales.

Reorganisation of logistical and administrative processes at storage facilities

Customer: Commercial company

An important German commercial company gradually bundled its storage structures (five locations) into one central company unit. Within the course of the integration of the fourth location into the new structures, administrative and logistical processes had to be standardised and prepared for a later ISO certification. SCI Verkehr has organised an operational excellence process with management, local managers and staff to develop the best possible solution for the organisation. In this process new standardised procedures have been developed, documented and then introduced as compulsory. SCI Verkehr has overseen the implementation of the new working methods at several locations on-site.