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

Ongoing support for strategy development in the financing of rolling stock

Customer: European freight railway

SCI Verkehr supported a leading European freight railway in its strategic development in the financing of rolling stock. Existing concepts of the customer were examined and developed further together with the customer in workshops and expert discussions with market participants. In an iterative process, recommendations for action for the strategy development were derived together with the customer.

Worldwide market for railway wheelsets

Customer: Russian railway industry group

SCI Verkehr analysed the worldwide markets for wheelsets including in-depth information on selected countries. SCI Verkehr developed a forecast in the OEM and AS segments. The main focus of the survey was on wheelset production and maintenance technology.

The European leasing market for freight wagons

Customer: European freight wagon leasing company

On behalf of a big European leasing company, SCI Verkehr examined the European market for freight wagons with special focus on the leasing segment. Based on the three pillars- market analysis, competition assessment and survey of the demand side, various options were examined and assessed.

Market Analyses Examples

Analysis of rail freight transport

Customer: International consulting company

An international partner enterprise required extensive data regarding freight wagon leasing in Europe. Based on its own comprehensive database system, SCI Verkehr compiled transport, vehicle fleet according to wagon type, countries, operators and age as well as usage data.

Database of diesel multiple units and diesel locomotives

Customer: Component manufacturer

On behalf of a supplier, SCI Verkehr configures a database including general information as well as technical features of various diesel multiple unit fleets and diesel locomotive fleets.

Warehouse and customer profile analysis

Customer: International logistics service provider

On instruction from an international logistics service provider, SCI Verkehr is preparing a competitor's analysis of selected logistics service providers in terms of their warehousing, customer, contract and service structures. The purpose is to develop a customer-centered warehouse location database for Germany.

Asset Valuations Examples

Appraisal of a European leasing portfolio

Customer: Internationally active private equity firm

On behalf of an internationally active private equity firm, SCI Verkehr determined the fair value of the locomotive portfolio of a European leasing company. The assessment of the locomotives in use in continental Europe was carried out based on a DCF-approach. A benchmark of the most readily comparable competitive products of the considered locomotives as well as a benchmark of current prices and leasing rates is carried out.

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.

Asset evaluation of steel product railcars

Customer: Financial service provider

On behalf of a financial service provider, SCI Verkehr prepares an asset evaluation of steel product railcars (coils). The evaluation is conducted by means of the cost-based DRC and, comparatively, the DCF method.

Public Consulting Examples

LOG-IT Club e.V.

Customer: LOG-IT Club e.V.

LOG-IT Club e.V. is a platform of companies for companies in the logistics, IT/software, trade and industry sectors which are active in IT-supported logistics. SCI Verkehr GmbH assumed management of the association when it was founded in October 2002. Since then, it has been organising the network of member companies, licensing with the management board. This predominantly includes a supporting network with the aid of information and specialist events.

Management LOG-IT CLUB

Customer: LOG-IT Club e.V.

Since the foundation of the LOG-IT Club e.V. in November 2002, SCI Verkehr has conducted the business of the association. This includes the support of the association committees, account management, budgetary control and acceptance of new members.

Report to strengthen rail freight transport in NRW

Customer: Ministry of Building, Accommodation, Urban Development and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

SCI Verkehr has prepared an expert report for the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Urban Development and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia with the content focus "Networked freight transport mobility" potentials for shifting more freight transport from road to rail". The results of the report will be published at the end of 2016.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Feasibility study ? Alternative drives for buses

Customer: Transport company in Germany

In a feasibility study, SCI Verkehr has assessed the advantages and disadvantages of existing bus concepts for alternative drives (hybrid vehicles, plug-in vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles) and the infrastructure required for this. Against the background of this assessment, SCI Verkehr has derived a detailed procurement proposal for buses with alternative drives on behalf of an international transport company.

Performance comparison of selected European railway companies

Customer: European railway company

As a result of new EU regulations, the European state railways have seen some very extensive reforms since the beginning of the 90s. The objectives of these reforms were to improve transport services and the quality of rail transport and to reduce the strain on public budgets. On behalf of a European state railway, SCI Verkehr analysed the track records and development of selected state railways with regard to these objectives. SCI Verkehr made the comparison drawing upon specific key figures, with the help of which we assessed the objectives listed.

LCC-/Feasibility Study of Modern Freight Wagons

Customer: Federal Ministry

In the context of a research project, SCI Verkehr analyses the efficiency, i.e. Life Cycle Costs (LCC) of different freight wagons in operation. Therefore, a LCC model is designed which particularly assesses the use of innovative components in an economical manner. Not only investment and operating costs, but the entire freight wagon in operation is assessed. In doing so, the cost/benefit analysis is not restricted to wagon owners, and advantages for operators, shippers and the environment can also be taken into account and evaluated.

Process optimisations Examples

Supporting the restructuring of a leading European rail freight company

Customer: European rail freight company

A leading European rail freight company has to reorganize itself completely in terms of profitability, efficiency and reliability. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to support the restructuring process actively and to bring in expertise in railway operation, processes and strategy. Focus is also put on close involvement in terms of co-determination.

Preparation of bidding documents for tenders in eastern Germany

Customer: Commuter rail operator

SCI Verkehr supported the transport company in the conceptual and practical preparation of two commuter rail bids in eastern Germany. The services ranged from the development and assessment of a vehicle concept to conceptual, technical and editorial support to operational and organisational support.

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.