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

Support in the commercial valuation for an Eastern European company in the rail freight sector

Customer: Leading Western European rail company

SCI Verkehr supported a leading European railway company in the commercial valuation of a target in the Eastern European rail freight sector. The aim was to analyse the appeal of the market as well as strategic opportunities in order to issue recommendations for the client. The valuation was made on the basis of existing database systems as well as in close exchange with market players.

Appraisal medium-sized component manufacturer

Customer: Private equity investor

On behalf of a private equity firm, SCI Verkehr analysed and appraised the strategic perspectives of a manufacturer of rail vehicle components and railway infrastructure.

Accompanying the growth strategy of a European rail freight company

Customer: European rail freight company

On behalf of a leading European rail freight company, SCI Verkehr supports the expansion course of the company. For this purpose, growth fields as well as growth-inhibiting aspects are identified in the process and worked on together with the management and the employee side according to the issue. SCI Verkehr's activities include the preparation of market analyses as well as its own strategy recommendations for business field developments and the monitoring of measures and processes.

Market Analyses Examples

SPNV Market Analysis

Customer: Vehicle Manufacturer

A vehicle manufacturer?s works council requested that SCI Verkehr analyse current framework changes in the SPNV services market. The importance of these changes for the automobile market was predicted and a prognosis for market volume perspectives was made. SCI Verkehr will compile recommendations for the strategic development of the automotive market.

Detailed fleet database with vehicle components

Customer: Component manufacturer

On behalf of a component manufacturer, SCI Verkehr is building a fleet database for selected vehicle types:This includes rail vehicles in several world market regions and shows the relevant components installed in the drive system. In combination with other IT systems of the customer, the fleet database is used primarily in the after-sales area for the spare parts business and the identification of potentials in the refurbishment of vehicles.

Market data on rolling stock in China

Customer: International industrial company

A component supplier in the rolling stock industry is planning to expand activities to China. In the first stage SCI Verkehr provides the current market volumes for rolling stock as well as a forecast up to 2013. The analysis is complemented by a brief presentation of Chinese rolling stock manufacturers.

Asset Valuations Examples

Asset valuation of electric multiple units for German regional passenger rail transport

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr evaluated modern electric multiple units (EMU) to be operated on German regional passenger rail services. The project included a valuation in accordance with the DRC approach as well as an analysis of possibilities for re-use of the vehicles. In addition, the normal service life of electric railcars is assessed on the basis of technical and economic indicators.

Short appraisal of EMUs

Customer: Credit institution

On behalf of a refinancing bank, SCI Verkehr appraised the opportunities and risks of the financing of EMUs. The cars are being used in the regional passenger rail transport in the Netherlands.

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

Vision for the 2005 North Rhine-Westphalia Railway Competence Center

Customer: North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Economics

Market study of testing needs for railway vehicles and components in Germany and neighbouring countries. Conception of an extended Railway competency center in Wegberg-Wildenrath, in accordance with the forecast of needs for 2005.

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.

Assessment of economic consequences of reducing regionalisation funds

Customer: Transport Association Rhine-Ruhr

The reduction of regionalisation funds for short-distance passenger transport will have far-reaching effects on the range of transport on offer. The consequences for companies and employees will be of particular significance. SCI Verkehr has assessed the economic effects of the reduction of regionalisation funds in the form of a brief expert opinion.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Analysis of cost reduction needs for a rail infrastructure company

Customer: Maintenance Company

First, the cost reduction needs of selected rail infrastructure maintenance target markets were closely examined. In addition, recommendations were made for the market entry activities of an infrastructure maintenance service company were derived.

Process optimisations Examples

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.

Development of intermodal transport terminal

Customer: Engineering firm

A Dutch logistics group is interested in setting up a terminal for road/rail transfer. The terminal focuses on seaport hinterland traffic of North Sea ports. SCI Verkehr was tasked with testing the feasibility in cooperation with partners (with special regard to rail connectivity) and working out a grant application according to the intermodal transport guidelines

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.