Why would Puma give up control of its own distribution centers?

Puma retains operational benefits—faster order processing, reduced costs, and improved performance—while Maersk assumes management risk. By opening capacity to other retailers, Puma benefits from Maersk's revenue-sharing model, essentially monetizing previously underutilized space. This aligns with industry trends where owning assets is less attractive than optimizing asset utilization through partnerships.

What is AutoStore and why does it matter for this arrangement?

AutoStore is a robotic storage and retrieval system that stores inventory in compact grids and uses robots to automatically retrieve goods for picking and packing. The technology is expensive to implement but highly scalable. Shared facilities with multiple clients allow AutoStore investments to achieve higher throughput and better ROI, making the economics work for both Puma and Maersk's other customers.

Which locations are included in this distribution network?

The three facilities are located in Torrance, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Whitestown, Indiana (outside Indianapolis). Combined, they total approximately 2.3 million square feet. The Torrance facility is positioned as the flagship, leveraging proximity to major air and ocean gateways as well as a large consumer market, making it particularly attractive for multi-client operations.

When will the multi-client model be fully operational?

Maersk announced that the Torrance facility, which will be the flagship multi-client AutoStore hub in North America, will begin accepting other brands starting in 2027. The timeline suggests infrastructure optimization and client onboarding are underway now, though other facilities may operate on different schedules.

What does this mean for e-commerce retailers looking for fulfillment capacity?

This creates new flexibility for retailers to access automated fulfillment near strategic markets without capital investment. Companies seeking fast, reliable order fulfillment in California or the Midwest now have access to Maersk's shared infrastructure at the Torrance, Phoenix, and Whitestown locations, particularly valuable for omnichannel and direct-to-consumer models.

Warehousing & Distribution

Moderate

Puma, Maersk Transform U.S. DCs Into Multi-Client Hubs

Sep 28, 2026

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The signal

Puma and Maersk have restructured the sportswear manufacturer's North American distribution network by converting three highly automated facilities into multi-client logistics hubs. 3 million square foot distribution network across California, Arizona, and Indiana to the Danish shipping and logistics giant. This strategic move transforms Puma's dedicated infrastructure into shared capacity that generates incremental revenue while optimizing the utilization of expensive automation technology. The arrangement represents a broader industry trend toward squeezing additional value from logistics assets that operate below full capacity.

Maersk will rent available space to complementary brands, particularly around the Torrance, California facility, which will become the company's first multi-client AutoStore deployment in North America. Starting in 2027, this site alone will handle approximately 20 million units annually, positioning it as a critical automation hub near major gateways and consumer markets. For supply chain professionals, this development signals both an opportunity and a challenge. Organizations with underutilized distribution infrastructure should explore similar partnerships with logistics providers to improve ROI on capital expenditures.

Simultaneously, companies seeking flexible fulfillment capacity near key markets now have access to sophisticated automation without the ownership burden. The trend could reshape how companies evaluate build-versus-outsource decisions in warehousing, favoring shared infrastructure models over dedicated facilities.

#warehousing-optimization

#contract-logistics

#automated-fulfillment

#capacity-utilization

#multi-client-distribution

#maersk-puma

#north-america-distribution

#autostore-technology

#logistics-infrastructure

#supply-chain-efficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

immediate

What if automation downtime at Torrance impacts multiple clients simultaneously?

Model the ripple effects if a major equipment failure or software issue at the Torrance AutoStore facility takes the system offline for 48-72 hours once it's serving multiple clients in 2027. Simulate fulfillment delays, customer service impacts, and revenue loss across Puma and partner brands, and estimate rerouting capacity needs.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if demand surge requires 30% capacity increase across North American fulfillment?

Model the impact of a sudden 30% surge in order volume across Puma's North American distribution network. Assume existing shared-client agreements limit available buffer capacity at all three facilities. Simulate whether Maersk's multi-client model allows rapid scaling or whether demand must be rejected or redirected to alternative fulfillment.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if a major Maersk client requires exclusive access to Torrance automation?

Simulate the impact of a new, large contract requiring exclusive reservation of 40% of the Torrance AutoStore capacity starting in 2027. Model how Puma's fulfillment performance and shared-client revenue streams are affected if capacity must be partitioned between Puma, this new client, and other smaller partners.

Run this scenario

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