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

Marketing analysis electric locomotives

Customer: European Railway Operator

SCI Verkehr analysed potential remarketing scenarios for a fleet of locomotives with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe. In doing so, SCI Verkehr identified potential buyers for the locomotives in passenger and freight transport and derived a possible price willingness for the used vehicles.

Strategic realignment of leading European freight railway

Customer: Leading European freight railway

The commissioning railway company active in European rail freight transport is in an economically strained situation with clearly decreasing market shares, declining transport services and unsatisfactory performance. Defined objectives of the company are to increase production stability, reorganise operations of sales and production as well as increasing productivity and economic improvement of selected areas of operation. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to monitor and accompany the process as expert consultant.

Market Analyses Examples

Market data rolling stock leasing

Customer: European leasing company

SCI Verkehr provides an overview of all leasing fleets in Europe including the most important players in the leasing market. The analysis is based on the SCI DATABASE, which includes information on global stock, owners and operators.

Market potential analysis - modernisation projects of German regional rail cars

Customer: Globally active electrical engineering group

On behalf of a worldwide active electrical engineering group, SCI Verkehr analysed the German regional rail transport market and the corresponding tenders to identify and derive concrete refurbishment and modernisation projects of regional rail cars.

Analysis world market gangways

Customer: Component manufacturer

On behalf of a globally active component manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analyses the worldwide market for gangways (as rolling stock component). For this purpose, market size and development as well as the competitive situation are examined in more detail.

Asset Valuations Examples

Value analysis of modern EMUs

Customer: Financing institute

On behalf of a vehicle leasing company, SCI Verkehr analysed the value development of modern EMUs over their lifecycle. The valuation was carried out with the aid of the asset value tool developed by SCI Verkehr, taking into account the reuse potential of the vehicles during and at the end of a commuter transport franchise in Germany and Europe.

Evaluation of used diesel-electric mainline locomotives

Customer: Railway Operator

On behalf of an operator, SCI Verkehr evaluates a fleet of used mainline locomotives with diesel drive. The value of the locomotives is determined with the help of a net asset value method, whereby a distinction is made between three variants and different country approvals are also included in the valuation.

Fleet valuation InnoWaggons

Customer: Leasing company

SCI Verkehr prepared a valuation update for a fleet of InnoWaggons for a German leasing company. The valuation was carried out using the income-based DCF and cost-based RC method according to IVS 2022. Special focus was placed on the value development curves and the residual values, under consideration of the customer\'s financing structure.

Public Consulting Examples

Economic survey logistics Hamburg

Customer: Logistics initiative Hamburg

Since 2009, SCI Verkehr GmbH has carried out an annual survey of the members of the logistics initiative group "Logistikinitiative Hamburg" regarding the economic development of the logistics market in Hamburg. The data collected is then compared with the SCI/Logistics Barometer and therefore put in a national context. In 2015, members were surveyed again. The results were presented as part of the initiative members'€™ meeting.

Quarterly compilation of the NRW.LOGISTIKINDEX

Customer: A North Rhine-Westphalian branch representation of the logistics industry, initiated by the state government

With the NRW.LOGISTIKINDEX, SCI Verkehr provides a quarterly evaluation of business surveys in the transport and logistics sector based on the monthly survey of the SCI Logistikbarometer. The focus of the evaluation is on the comparison of data from the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. 

End of Runway Logistics - market targeting by suppliers

Customer: Company for economic development

In the future, air freight services will be provided more and more as complex logistical solutions within the scope of contracted logistics projects. For sites located near international airports this offers the opportunity for new settlements and therefore to generate new jobs. On behalf of a company for economic development SCI Verkehr GmbH is investigating the possibilities for bringing contracted logistics projects relating to air freight to the site. For the initial review of the situation SCI Verkehr carried out interviews with the leading providers of air freight services in Germany. From this review we will develop a strategy for the next steps for the company for economic development.

Profitability Analyses Examples

Workshop ECM Market

Customer: Maintenance company

SCI Verkehr has carried out a workshop on ECM services with a leading maintenance company for rail vehicles. Different business models were discussed and the company´s business plan was reviewed.

Market analysis painting raw materials

Customer: Globally active chemical company

On behalf of a globally active chemical company, SCI Verkehr analysed the market potential for painting raw materials. The in-depth analysis evaluated the market potential for these materials and provided a basis for further strategic planning.

Benchmark for maintenance of freight wagons

Customer:

On behalf of an investor, SCI Verkehr prepared a comprehensive market analysis for the maintenance of freight wagons. This included a review of the basic principles of maintenance, an analysis of the main trends and drivers in the market, an explanation of new technological developments and an overview of maintenance companies and their locations. A focus of the analyses was also the benchmarking of prices of maintenance periods for different wagon types and components, as well as their development.

Process optimisations Examples

Maintenance location and portfolio assessment

Customer: maintenance specialist

Definitions of the optimal location and performance for a vehicle workshop in western North Rhine Westphalia.

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 .