KombiConsult GmbH

What KombiConsult GmbH does

KombiConsult GmbH is a Frankfurt am Main-based management consultancy founded in 2000 that specializes exclusively in intermodal freight transport (combined rail-road-waterway logistics). The firm supports the shift of freight from road to rail and inland waterways by advising terminal operators, industrial shippers, and public-sector clients on terminal planning, EU and German funding applications (up to 80% funding rate), corridor studies, and operational optimization. Its client roster includes BASF, Contargo, Eurogate, Kombiverkehr, the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMVI), and the European Commission's DG MOVE, for which KombiConsult serves as Lead Consultant on the ScanMed TEN-T Corridor and Partner on the Rhine-Alpine/North Sea-Mediterranean Corridor since 2014. The firm also operates the AGORA intermodal terminal database (400+ European terminals) and the AGORA working group as secretariat, runs the KombiInsider training seminar series (EUR 765 per participant), and moderates the KV 4.0 digital data hub initiative that spawned the DX Intermodal GmbH (DXI) joint venture.

Name

KombiConsult GmbH

Legal name

KombiConsult GmbH

Website

https://kombiconsult.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KombiConsult GmbH is a Frankfurt-based boutique consultancy specializing exclusively in intermodal freight transport (rail-road-waterway), advising EU institutions, German ministries, terminal operators, and logistics companies on corridor studies, terminal planning, funding applications, and industry digitalization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Consulting

NAICS

Other Management Consulting Services (541618), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Communications & Control Systems Operations (GSM-R/FRMCS, Radio Dispatch) (TLAJAEAG)

Keywords

• Intermodal transport consulting
• Combined transport advisory
• Terminal development services
• TEN-T corridor studies
• Rail freight logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt am Main

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Management Consulting Services: Advisory services for terminal development, corridor studies for EU Commission, funding application support, operational optimization consulting, and market studies for intermodal transport stakeholders.
2. KombiInsider Seminars: Educational seminars on combined transport basics offered at 765.00 EUR (net) per participant. Includes participation, conference catering, dinner, working materials, digital documentation, and access to online training on-demand. Participants also receive a 250.00 EUR voucher from Kombiverkehr.
3. EU Corridor Study Contracts: Lead consultant and partner roles in TEN-T core network corridor studies commissioned by the European Commission, covering ScanMed and Rhine-Alpine (now North Sea-Mediterranean) corridors since 2014.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KombiConsult is an independent management consultancy providing advisory services for intermodal (combined rail-road-waterway) transport. Its portfolio covers terminal site and market studies, dimensioning, business case development, funding applications (up to 80% support), operational optimization, TEN-T corridor studies for the EU Commission, and professional training through the KombiInsider seminar series. The firm also maintains the AGORA intermodal terminal database and working group serving the European terminal operator community.

Product overview

KombiConsult GmbH is a management advisory company specialized in intermodal logistics with the motto 'Intermodal logistics is our DNA.' The company offers a portfolio of consulting services centered around combined transport (rail-road-waterway), including corridor studies for TEN-T networks, terminal development consulting, and the AGORA terminal database platform. They also operate the KombiInsider seminar program for training, and have developed digitalization projects including KV 4.0 data exchange platform and the ongoing KIBA AI loading optimization initiative. Their services support the shift of freight transport from road to environmentally friendlier modes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Terminal Development Consulting
• TEN-T Corridor Studies
• Gleisanschluss (Rail Connection) Consulting

Quantifiable outcome

• AGORA terminals achieved 10% growth in transhipment volume in 2021, reaching approximately 4.4 million loading units
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Commission DG MOVEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014KombiConsult serves as Lead Consultant for the ScanMed Corridor (Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor) and Partner for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor (now North Sea-Mediterranean Corridor) in TEN-T core network corridor studies commissioned by the European Commission since 2014. The company supports the Commission in preparing, accompanying, and following up corridor forum and working group meetings.
• AGORA Intermodal Terminals Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean working group of terminal operators established in 2011 from an EU project. KombiConsult operates as the AGORA secretariat, managing the group and the associated intermodal terminal database. The group promotes exchange of information and ideas on terminal management best practices, capacity increases, and interaction with CT operators and railway companies.
• DX Intermodal GmbH (DXI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture founded by six companies (Hoyer Group, Hupac Intermodal, Kombiterminal Ludwigshafen, Kombiverkehr, Lokomotion, and Panueropa Transport) to operate the KV 4.0 digital data platform for intermodal transport. KombiConsult moderated the KV 4.0 project and contributed to the platform's development.
• KIBA Project ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI project for loading optimization in combined transport, funded by German Ministry for Digital and Transport with 2.34 million EUR over 3 years. Partners include Kombiverkehr (coordinator), KombiConsult, TU Darmstadt, DUSS, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, VTG Rail Europe, and INFORM GmbH.
• CRIMEXminorOthersPromotional materials supplier with a 'One Tree per Order' initiative. Trees are planted in Peru through partner TU TIERRA to absorb CO2. KombiConsult participates in this sustainability initiative through advertising orders.
• Container Terminal Herne (CTH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGORA group member hosting the year-end AGORA meeting in 2024. Demonstrated innovative terminal technologies including AI-powered translation terminal, AI-based parking monitoring, AI wagon management, and camera-based trailer space management.
• Konecranes and duisportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts of the 10th 'Exchange of experiences on handling equipment' conference in Düsseldorf/Duisburg (September 2023). KombiConsult organized the event with over 40 terminal experts and technology suppliers participating.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KCW GmbH: Berlin-based management consultancy focused on rail transport, combined transport, and public transport economics. KCW is a direct competitor to KombiConsult in German rail and intermodal advisory, frequently engaged by BMVI and EU institutions on similar studies.
• PTV Group: Karlsruhe-based transport planning software and consulting firm serving logistics, public authorities, and terminal operators. PTV overlaps with KombiConsult on terminal/transport modeling and European intermodal transport consulting.
• SCI Verkehr: Cologne-based consultancy and research firm specializing in rail freight, intermodal transport, and logistics market studies. SCI overlaps with KombiConsult in European rail/intermodal market intelligence and operator advisory.
• CPCS Transcom International: Geneva-based transport infrastructure consultancy with a strong rail and intermodal practice across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. CPCS competes for similar EU and member-state rail corridor and intermodal advisory mandates.
• Steer Davies Gleave (Steer): Global transport strategy consultancy (now part of WSP) with deep experience in rail freight, intermodal, and corridor studies. Comparable to KombiConsult on multimodal/intermodal corridor advisory and EU-level transport studies.

Broad incumbents

• WSP Global: Global professional services firm with a substantial transport and rail consulting practice, including the recently acquired Steer Davies Gleave. WSP competes for EU and national intermodal/corridor mandates but operates across many infrastructure verticals.
• Ramboll: Global engineering, design, and management consultancy with a large transport and infrastructure practice across Europe. Ramboll competes for the same EU Commission corridor and member-state rail/intermodal mandates, but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Roland Berger: Global management consultancy headquartered in Munich with a dedicated transport, logistics, and infrastructure practice. Roland Berger competes for some institutional transport studies but does not specialize in intermodal terminals to the same degree.

Emerging players

• Fraunhofer IML: Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics in Dortmund, conducting applied research and consulting in logistics, intermodal transport, and AI-enabled terminal operations. Overlaps with KombiConsult on applied research and showcases of innovative terminal technologies.
• HaCon (INIT Group): Hannover-based software firm (part of INIT Group) specializing in timetable planning, intermodal routing, and mobility platforms for rail and combined transport operators. HaCon operates in adjacent transport/digital infrastructure space with EU rail customers.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kombiconsult

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KombiConsult GmbH