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

Tender processes and import regulations for rolling stock in the UK

Customer: Globally active manufacturer of rolling stock

On behalf of an expanding manufacturer of rolling stock, SCI Verkehr analysed the tender processes and import regulations for rolling stock in the UK. Based on an overview of the players and tender processes, SCI Verkehr formulated recommendations for the strategic positioning for future tenders. In addition, the import regulations, specifically tariffs and customs as well as necessary certificates, were examined.

Commercial due diligence on a freight car lessor

Customer: Infrastructure investor

SCI Verkehr supports an infrastructure investor in the due diligence (out-side-in phase) on a freight car leasing company. A financial model is developed and possible development paths of the target company in the future are described.

Bid Management in Regional Passenger Rail Transport

Customer: International company for rolling stock maintenance

SCI Verkehr supported an international company for rolling stock maintenance with regards to bid-management of a tender for regional passenger rail transport. SCI Verkehr´ s tasks included conceptual, economic and editorial support in terms of tender preparation, as well as operational and organisational support within the bid process. Designing the interface between maintenance companies, transport companies, and responsible bodies presented a challenge.

Market Analyses Examples

Market potential analysis locomotives

Customer:

SCI Verkehr analysed the market for locomotives on the Iberian Peninsula. A detailed analysis of demand was carried out, taking into account the underlying freight markets and corporate strategies of the operators. In addition the current locomotive fleet and future planned procurement projects were analysed, in order to derive a need for new locomotives.

Data supply bus market shares

Customer: Investment Fund

SCI Verkehr supports the market analysis of an investment fund with data on market shares of the most important bus suppliers in the world. The data presented include 8 world regions and 28 core markets.

Market analysis platform screen doors

Customer: Component manufacturer

On behalf of an Asian component manufacturer SCI Verkehr analyses the worldwide market for platform screen doors. Volumes and potentials of new as well as after-sales business are identified within the next five years.

Asset Valuations Examples

Reassessment of a leasing portfolio

Customer: International bank

On behalf of an international bank, SCI Verkehr has reassessed a rail vehicle portfolio. For the processing of the project, SCI Verkehr reassessed the current market situation in European passenger and freight transport in as well as the prospects for the leasing of locomotives, freight wagons and passenger coaches. The profit expectations in the years to come have been included in the discounted cash flow analysis of the portfolio.

Commercial Due Diligence Freight Car and Container Leasing

Customer: Private Equity Investor

SCI Verkehr supported a leading infrastructure investor in a commercial due diligence process in the area of freight wagon and container leasing. In addition, a complete valuation of the fleet was carried out according to cost and income-based valuation methods.

Portfolio evaluation for refinancing

Customer:

On behalf of a leading leasing company, SCI Verkehr prepared a comprehensive market and evaluation report on a large European rail vehicle fleet. The fleet, consisting of passenger vehicles, locomotives and freight wagons, was valued using a cash flow-based approach and the valuation methodology and results documented in a comprehensive report.

Public Consulting Examples

LogistikCluster NRW

Customer: LOG-IT Club e.V.

In autumn 2015, LogistikCluster NRW entered a new phase. The cluster's activities will focus even more intensively on the topics of growth, innovation and digitalisation. SCI Verkehr organises all technical and organisational activities for the LOG-IT Club e.V. in close cooperation with the Association of the Transport Industry and Logistics.

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

Evaluation of vehicle options to support a local transport tender

Customer: Railway transport company

On behalf of a railway transport company, SCI Verkehr compiled an independent assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of various vehicle options in connection with a local transport tender. The realistic consideration of the potential operation of new and/or second-hand vehicles played an important role in this evaluation.

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.

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.

Process optimisations Examples

Implementation of operational excellence project in logistics

Customer: Global player in the food industry

In autumn 2008, a client from the food industry carried out a wide-reaching operational excellence project at one of its sites. In this project, the production and logistics (warehousing and distribution) systems were examined and various changes resolved. One of the main changes to the logistics system was an optimisation of loading during the night. SCI Verkehr supported the implementation of the changes, also operationally, and held several meetings on location in order to ensure the sustainability of the process changes.

Restructuring logistical processes at a production site

Customer: Global player in the food industry

Our client took over a site previously operated by a service provider and at the beginning of 2008 integrated it into its network of sites across Germany. This integration included major changes to the processes and the IT system which had to be adapted to the requirements of the new owner. At the same time, the production and distribution volume increased substantially, as well as production exchange with other sites. These changes led to overworking and uncertainty among staff and consequently considerable deficits in the site?s performance. Within the scope of the "operational excellence" process, SCI Verkehr led and accompanied the modelling of new logistical processes with staff and company management. The consultancy process focused on using the existing employee know-how in order to achieve a higher level of acceptance for the necessary changes and thus a sustainable improvement of performance. Following SCI Verkehr?s ?Operational Excellence Tool?, the staff were involved in reviewing the current situation and developing improved processes in accordance with a tried and tested process. In addition, the task involved coaching the logistical managers at the site and thus cementing the new structures.

Customs procedures for the container traffic Denmark ? German North Sea harbours ? Overseas newly to be installed

Customer: Logistic company

The European liberalisation of railway traffic allows the utilisation of the infrastructure by private railway transportation enterprises also across national borders. However, as opposed to the state railways, the regional railways cannot make use of the simplified common shipping procedure but are subject to the regulating procedures of the common / community shipping procedure. With this report a recommendation was developed for procedural management under the existing conditions.