Puma has entered into an agreement with Maersk to oversee its North American distribution network, extending the logistics provider’s responsibilities from shipping to warehouse management. The deal covers three Puma sites, Torrance, California; Phoenix; and Whitestown, Indiana, spanning a combined 2.3 million square feet of space, as stated in a Sept. 24 release.
Maersk will handle daily operations at these locations, where AutoStore technology is in use. This automated system organizes inventory in a grid and deploys robots to pick and pack orders. The Torrance facility will be the first to implement the system for multiple brands, beginning in 2027, with a capacity to process 20 million units per year. The setup enables Maersk to use space more efficiently while cutting down on manual labor.
Beyond Puma’s needs, Maersk plans to utilize any unused capacity in these centers for other clients. This approach mirrors a broader industry trend, where businesses aim to extract more value from existing warehouse infrastructure. Dave Hune, head of Maersk’s North America contract logistics, observed that companies are increasingly focused on optimizing their current assets rather than building new ones.
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The partnership fits within Maersk’s push to offer full-service supply chain solutions, including fulfillment and distribution. The company already manages fulfillment centers for major retailers like Levi Strauss & Co. and, in 2024, opened a new facility in Hopedale, Massachusetts, designed to support high-volume e-commerce operations. The deal with Puma reinforces Maersk’s leadership in automated fulfillment, particularly in regions close to major transport hubs.
Maersk’s recent $100 million investment in the Massachusetts facility demonstrates its commitment to expanding fulfillment infrastructure. The adoption of automated systems like AutoStore reflects an effort to address ongoing challenges in the sector, including labor shortages and rising operational costs.
