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

Red Flag DD for a component manufacturer in the railway infrastructure segment

Customer: Private Equity

SCI Verkehr carried out a red flag due diligence on behalf of an investor. The target was a manufacturer of components for railway infrastructure.

Supporting the company strategy of an European rail freight company

Customer: European rail freight company

On behalf of a leading European rail freight company, SCI Verkehr supports the development and implementation of a new company strategy. Different projects are part of the task, especially the new organisation of the production department as well as new cooperations and pricing measures. SCI Verkehr prepares market analyses and benchmarks on rail freight transport. It also supports the negotiations between the company and unions.

Locomotive markets and investment strategy

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr analysed the development of supply and demand for mainline locomotives in Europe. Moreover, SCI Verkehr analysis the impact of new ETCS regulations in the locomotive market in order to derive a strategy for future investment in new assets.

Market Analyses Examples

Presentation global railway market

Customer: Security company in the railway sector

On behalf of a security company, SCI Verkehr presented current trends and developments in the global market for rail vehicles at an international conference.

Analysis maintenance market

Customer: Provider of maintenance services

In the liberalised market for maintenance services, industrial companies as well as operators are increasingly working for third parties. SCI Verkehr assisted a client in optimizing their range of maintenance services for third parties. The focus was on an analysis of the current market and competitive situation in selected European countries.

Market analysis of rail freight corridors 

Customer: Private rail freight company 

SCI Verkehr carried out a detailed corridor analysis in the European rail freight transport for a rail freight company. For this purpose, train numbers, market shares and capacities on selected lines were determined. 

Asset Valuations Examples

Continuous evaluation of a rail vehicle portfolio

Customer: Refinancing credit institution

In a framework agreement, a refinancing credit institution commissioned SCI Verkehr to carry out initial and follow-up valuations for an extensive portfolio of passenger vehicles, locomotives and freight wagons in Europe and North America. The results of the calculation were used internally by the customer for the assessment of credit risks. These are reviewed every six months.

Short assessment of modern electric multiple units

Customer: Credit institute

SCI Verkehr conducted a short assessment of modern electric multiple units meant for operation in regional and commuter rail transport in the Netherlands by means of an asset description and determining the market value.

Rolling stock assessment: Electric locomotives

Customer: Locomotive lessor

On behalf of a locomotive lessor, SCI Verkehr assesses current and future market value of electric single and multi-system locomotives. Income-based as well as cost-based valuation methods are applied.

Public Consulting Examples

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.

Environmental comparison - railway transport

Customer: Allianz pro Schiene

Working for Allianz pro Schiene and in co-operation with the IFEU institute in Heidelberg, SCI Verkehr is preparing the evaluation parameters for an "environmental comparison - rail transport" and their transformation to a transparent and (in view of different framework conditions) just measuring system. It is intended for use as tool for assessing railway transport companies and their rail vehicles in terms of environmental compatibility and under a public competition also as a marketing tool in favor of rail-bound transport.

Profitability Analyses Examples

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.

Profitability analysis metro procurement

Customer: Public Transport Authority

SCI Verkehr evaluated the economic feasibility of the selected bids for a public transport authority in the context of a procurement of new urban transport vehicles. For this purpose, SCI Verkehr evaluated the bid documents and carried out a price benchmark to determine the usual market prices of metro vehicles.

Process optimisations Examples

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.

Supporting a terminal operator in its appeal against the rejection of an application for funding

Customer: Terminal operator

An application for funding by a midsized intermodal terminal operator was rejected by the authorisation authority responsible. SCI Verkehr advised the client on all important aspects of the upcoming appeal proceedings and prepared the reasoning for the appeal. Furthermore, in order to develop a strategy with optimum chances of success, SCI Verkehr gathered additional information on the chances of success of the proceedings and on the optimum course of action by means of background discussions in political circles.