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

Economic survey Hamburg logistics

Customer: Logistics network

SCI Verkehr has been conducting a member survey regarding the economic development of the logistic sector in Hamburg on behalf of the Logistikinitiative Hamburg since 2009. The collected data is checked against the SCI/Logistikbarometer and put into the national context. This survey was conducted once again in 2017 and was presented at the initiative's general assembly early 2018.

Potential of the leasing business in the European rail transport market

Customer: Asian conglomerate

On behalf of an Asian conglomerate SCI Verkehr is analysing the development of the rail transport markets in Eastern and Western Europe. The project focuses on identifying market potential in the leasing business and developing a market-entry strategy.

Periodic Market Monitoring Rail Market

Customer: Financial service provider

SCI Verkehr supported a financial service provider with a regular high-level monitoring report on the European rolling stock market. In the scope of the project, SCI Verkehr provided a report on a quarterly basis including the most important events with a focus on railway operators, manufacturers and leasing companies.

Market Analyses Examples

Data on the fleet of construction and maintenance vehicles

Customer: Supplier

On behalf of a supplier, SCI Verkehr compiles data on the fleet of construction and maintenance vehicles in European rail transport.

Overview freight wagon leasing companies

Customer: Investor

SCI was commissioned by an investor to prepare a list of companies leasing freight wagons in continental Europe which serves the investor’s strategic orientation.

Market data for textile manufacturer

Customer: Textile manufacturer

On behalf of a textile manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analyses current and future procurement projects as well as the fleet sizes of passenger rail vehicles. The data is generated from the SCI database and made available in structured evaluation lists.

Asset Valuations Examples

Value appraisal for Interregio trains

Customer: Private railway company

On behalf of a private operator, SCI Verkehr compiled a value appraisal for Interregio trains which are to be operated in open-access transport services. The focus was on the evaluation of possible secondary markets for the vehicles.

Portfolio analysis rolling stock

Customer: Banking Group

On behalf of a leading rolling stock financiers, SCI Verkehr analysed the current vehicle fleet in preparation of a portfolio assessment. In the first step, we defined criteria relevant for the assessment which we subsequently determined in close cooperation and with the aid of the SCI Database for Railway Technology.

Asset analysis of DMUs

Customer: International financing company

On behalf of a globally active financing company for rolling stock, SCI Verkehr analysed the asset value development of modern DMUs for cross-border operation in Germany and the Netherlands. The report compiled served as the basis for risk assessment for vehicle financing and also took into consideration the agreed return terms for the vehicles.

Public Consulting Examples

Quality standards in regional passenger transport

Customer: Transport association

SCI Verkehr supported a transport association in the development of a guideline for quality standards in public transport. For this purpose, legal requirements, local transport plans and other literature sources were evaluated. In addition, SCI Verkehr worked with the transport association to develop an attractive, public presentation of the quality standards.

Feasibility study on alternative drives

Customer: Public transport authority

SCI Verkehr was commissioned by a public transport authority to prepare a feasibility study on the planned use of alternatively powered rail vehicles. The focus of the analyses was on the economic feasibility of hydrogen and battery-powered trains in terms of operation, energy and infrastructure. A life cycle cost (LCC) model from SCI was applied. The aim of the study was to determine the economically and operationally optimal drive technologies against the background of the existing and future infrastructure of various networks, for example with regard to charging and refuelling processes.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Innovative drives for rail vehicles

Customer: Federal Ministry of Transport

On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport, SCI Verkehr investigated the applicability of innovative drives for rail vehicles that run on non-electrified lines. In addition to economic efficiency, changes relevant to the environment (e.g. emission reduction) were also evaluated.

Evaluation business plan leasing company

Customer: Financial investor

SCI Verkehr critically examined the business plan of a leasing company in the run-up to a possible due diligence. The focus was on the evaluation of the current portfolio and the management's assumptions regarding growth potential. For this purpose, a benchmark of current and expected future leasing rates and the occupancy rate was also carried out.

Process optimisations Examples

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.

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.

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

Customer:

Investigation on behalf of the SH Technology Foundation