Puma SE continues to make moves to cut costs across the globe and has apparently focused on North America to reduce expenses at the company’s logistics network in the U.S.  Danish shipping and integrated logistics group A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) has begun managing Puma’s North America distribution network, which includes three large, highly automated warehouses in California, Arizona, and Indiana totaling approximately 2.3 million square feet. The company is converting the three distribution centers into multi-client facilities to increase utilization and revenue.

“Many companies are looking for ways to get more value from the logistics infrastructure they’ve already invested in,” said Dave Hune, North America Head of Maersk Contract Logistics. “This partnership is a great example of how Maersk can combine our operational expertise, technology, and logistics network with a customer’s existing assets to improve efficiency, maximize the value of automation, and reduce costs. Together with PUMA, we’re creating a more flexible and scalable fulfillment network that helps keep products moving quickly to stores and consumers.

Puma and Maersk have reportedly built a long-standing partnership that has expanded well beyond ocean shipping. Maersk now provides a rising number of logistics services to help Puma reach their end consumers around the world, including warehousing and distribution, including fulfillment, air freight, customs services, and inland transportation.

Maersk expects to strengthen Puma’s U.S. distribution network, applying its logistics expertise and technology to help maximize the performance of Puma’s automated facilities, while improving efficiency, and reducing costs. The program includes supporting orders for retail stores, wholesale customers, and online shoppers.

Under the agreement, Maersk will operate three strategically located facilities equipped with AutoStore automation technology:

  • Torrance, California: Approximately 672,000 square feet
  • Phoenix, Arizona: Approximately 1.02 million square feet
  • Whitestown (Indianapolis), Indiana: Approximately 636,000 square feet

AutoStore reportedly helps improve speed, efficiency and workplace productivity while making better use of available warehouse space.

“At Puma, delivering a seamless experience for our consumers and retail partners requires a supply chain that is agile, efficient, and built for growth,” commented Helmut Leibbrandt, Supply Chain Management & Logistics Americas, Puma. “As we’ve expanded our relationship with Maersk, we’ve seen the value of combining our highly automated distribution network with their operational expertise, technology, and integrated logistics capabilities. This next phase of our partnership strengthens our ability to move products more efficiently across channels, improve responsiveness to changing demand, and create greater value from the investments we’ve made in our U.S. distribution infrastructure.

Together, the three facilities help Puma streamline product movement, process orders faster, and ensure customers receive a consistent experience whether they’re shopping online or in stores.

Maersk supports Puma with integrated logistics solutions where asset control and data visibility are core benefits. This leads to better decisions and optimization as well as more flexibility and resilience at a time when supply chains are becoming increasingly complex.

Beyond supporting Puma’s business, the model enables Maersk to use available capacity in the network for other customers, helping improve asset utilization and create additional value from Puma’s existing infrastructure.

A key component of the network is the Torrance, California facility, which will become Maersk North America’s first AutoStore deployment supporting multi-client operations. Starting in 2027, Maersk said it will have capacity in the Torrance facility for “other brands that need fast, automated order fulfillment near strategic air and ocean gateways as well as one of the largest consumer markets in the country.”

The site will be capable of handling roughly 20 million units of throughput each year.

Image courtesy Maersk