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

Process optimization and interface streamlining between technical and operative divisions

Customer: Medium-sized logistics company

A medium-sized logistics company with an international focus operates its own technical department for its fleet and logistics division. SCI Verkehr was tasked with analysing the interface between the technical department and the operative units of the company and optimizing the respective processes. This included the development and implementation of a service level agreement.

Development of a market entry strategy for double-deck passenger coaches

Customer: International rolling stock manufacturer

Following on from an analysis of the European rolling stock market, SCI Verkehr developed a market entry strategy for double-deck passenger coaches on behalf of a globally active rolling stock manufacturer. The strategic recommendation was based upon the product portfolio already existing, taking into consideration the railway companies, regional transport authorities and existing competitive products. As a result, a basic vehicle was defined which incorporates the main technical and economic success criteria for double-deck rolling stock.

Demand analysis electric locomotives in Europe

Customer: International leasing company

On behalf of a leasing company, SCI Verkehr analysed the market development and the demand for new electric locomotives in continental Europe as a basis for an investment decision. The development of ETCS in Europe, infrastructural development and procurements by leasing companies were taken into account for this analysis.

Market Analyses Examples

Market Information Regional Multiple Units

Customer: Management Consultant

SCI Verkehr prepared a market forecast for the demand for electric railcars, diesel railcars and railcars with alternative drive systems for selected European core countries and described the main trends and development drivers.

Assistance in opening up markets in Russia and Poland

Customer: Western European locomotive manufacturer

Analysis of the specific vehicle requirements of railway companies in industrial, plant and port rail transport in Russia and Poland. Ascertainment of their technical and operational needs, their industrial partnerships as well as potentials for development and capacity reserves. Identification of suitable target customers for a Western European vehicle manufacturer who intends to enter the Eastern European future markets.

Market potentials of hybrid/bimodal drives

Customer: Industrial company

An increasing number of different forms of propulsion, which are no longer purely electric or diesel driven, can be found on the locomotive market. Hence, SCI Verkehr, on behalf of a customer, examines potentials of hybrid and bimodal drives on the European market.

Asset Valuations Examples

Impairment test for freight wagons

Customer: Leasing company

On behalf of a long-standing customer, SCI Verkehr, once again, analyses the value-over-time of a freight wagon portfolio, applying the latest calculation models and market prognoses. With regard to the supply and demand situation in the different markets relevant to the vehicles, the latest analytical calculations as well as current benchmarks were applied.

Investigation concerning the application of alternative financing models for the procurement of rail vehicles

Customer:

Analysis of existing models for financing rail vehicles amongst other in connection with the reorganisation of the RPST following the railway reform; economics and legal feasibility of new financing models.

Asset evaluation of used tank wagons

Customer:

On behalf of an investor, SCI Verkehr evaluated a fleet of used tank wagons. The evaluation of the wagons according to DCF and DRC methodology took into account the wagon-specific supply and demand situation.

Public Consulting Examples

Cost-benefit study RRX

Customer: State of North Rhine-Westphalia

On behalf of the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Building, Housing and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MBWSV) and CP Compartners, SCI Verkehr developed a cost-benefit study for the Rhein-Ruhr-Express (RRX). For this, SCI Verkehr assessed the macroeconomic benefit of the RRX for NRW based on the areas of mobility, economy, environment and social affairs. In addition to evaluating existing data regarding e.g. transport and population development, experts from various institutions were interviewed. The results were published in a study and further discussed with the experts.

Documentation of a sector conference

Customer: IG Metall

IG Metall commissioned SCI Verkehr to document the sector conference of works committee in the railway industry which took place in Berlin on 14th and 15th February 2006. Alongside documenting the presentations, SCI Verkehr also compiled the working group results as well as providing a summary of the contents of the speeches contributed. In addition, the sector conference was also photographed with the aim of compiling comprehensive conference documentation.

Extension of an intermodal transport transhipment terminal in a German domestic port

Customer: Transhipment company

The operator of a transhipment facility for intermodal transport in a German domestic port has seen considerable volume increases in its transport relationship with a regional company of the automobile industry. The operator wants to face this development with larger transport and warehousing capacities and therefore intends to introduce more efficient transhipment equipment and change the layout of the terminal areas. SCI Verkehr GmbH is creating an appropriate application for financial aid as per the German federal government?s guideline for intermodal transport, and is supporting the preliminary examination to clarify the question of location.

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.

German urban railway systems

Customer: Private industry

Aufgabenträger

Strategic advice to a logistics service provider on the development of rail products

Customer:  Logistics Group 

Together with partners, SCI Verkehr is supporting a globally active logistics group in the strategic reorientation of its transports towards more rail transport. The activities are taking place in the context of implementing the group's CO2 targets. In the process, the relevant transport markets are analysed and, as a result, options are examined, e.g. for the development of own capacities, partnerships or acquisitions.

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.

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.