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

Market potential analysis for innovative infrastructure components

Customer: Industrial group

On behalf of an industrial group, SCI Verkehr analysed the market potential for innovative infrastructure components. The focus was placed on a market and competition analysis in Germany, France and Italy.

Due diligence support

Customer: International component manufacturer

A worldwide active company active in the rail industry has evaluated opportunities and risks regarding the acquisition of a company in a niche market. The company is active in the infrastructure segment. SCI Verkehr has supported the company in the commercial due diligence with a market and competition analysis.

Analysis market entry infrastructure components

Customer: Rail technology group

SCI Verkehr is advising a client in entering new business areas. For this, a market overview including the various market segments in the area of infrastructure components was developed. This includes track and electrification components as well as control and signalling technology.

Market Analyses Examples

Freight wagon innovations

Customer: Asian freight wagon supplier

On behalf of an Asian rolling stock manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analysed state-of-the-art freight wagon innovations in North America, Europe and Australia.

Brief assessment of locomotive leasing in Europe

Customer: Financial investor

On behalf of a financial investor, SCI Verkehr assessed the future development of the market for locomotive leasing with a focus on Central Europe. The analysis included supply and demand as well as critical success factors.

Logistics service provider?s location selection

Customer: Mid-sized logistics service provider

Consultation of a mid-sized logistics service provider on the selection of a new location in the Ruhr district. Evaluation of property and transport connections as well as creation of a purpose-serving railway. The appraisal will include a comparison of various modes of transportation. The final evaluation of the plan partially depends on whether or not the client has a possibility for state funding.

Asset Valuations Examples

Fleet appraisal electrical multiple units

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr determined the fair market value and the expected value-over-time of new electrical multiple units (EMUs). The valuation was carried out based on a DRC approach. A particular focus was the benchmark of the vehicles' purchasing price and the residual value after the end of the leasing contract. The results were compiled in a short assessment.

Asset valuation passenger coaches

Customer: Lessor

SCI Verkehr determines the future market values of a passenger coaches fleet in the European market for a lessor. A particular focus is on the analysis of expected useful lives and redeployment possibilities, especially in open access transport.

Analysis of the potential of reusing double-deck coaches

Customer: International leasing company

On behalf of an international leasing company, SCI Verkehr evaluates the possible reuse of double-deck coaches in local rail transport in Germany and other European countries. This project includes an in-depth analysis of potential local rail transport tenders as well as the transport authorities? specific requirements in terms of operating used vehicles in future transport tenders.

Public Consulting Examples

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.

Market exploration for the sale of railway infrastructure

Customer: Ownership company of railway and terminal infrastructure

A publicly owned company that owns the railway and terminal infrastructure was given the political mandate to prepare the exit of the public owners from this area. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to provide comprehensive support to the management in an initial market survey.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Increase in profitability of an industrial and port railway

Customer: Schwerin Public Works

Analysis of existing and potential operations in regional passenger and cargo transport. Development and preparation of a business concept for an economically viable NE-Railway.

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.

Process optimisations Examples

Process optimisation at a logistics site

Customer: Global player in the food industry

A central production and logistics site of our client showed ongoing logistical deficits: long waiting and processing times for lorries and out-of stock situations affected the performance of the site. At the same time, the client intended to integrate a smaller site from the local area, in order to raise the performance of the site concerned. SCI Verkehr was commissioned by the company management to analyse the main hurdles for a better performance of the site, present ways for improvement and, in cooperation with the company, implement the required measures. The main aim was to accelerate processing times. For this purpose it was necessary to remodel the logistical processes, together with staff on site. As part of an "operational excellence process", the consultancy and support from SCI Verkehr largely aimed towards activating employee expertise at the site. In this way, the upcoming changes in staffing were communicated and established, enabling sustainable optimisation of processes.

Optimization of the Land-Sea Interface as part of a maritime network group

Customer:

Investigation on behalf of the SH Technology Foundation