Arvato Bertelsmann

What Arvato Bertelsmann does

Arvato SE is an international third-party and fourth-party logistics (3PL/4PL) provider headquartered in Gütersloh, Germany, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann. The company delivers end-to-end supply chain management services — including warehousing, fulfillment, transport management, and value-added services — to enterprise clients across B2B and B2C channels in 30+ countries, supported by a workforce of approximately 20,000 employees in 17 nations and a network of owned and operated distribution facilities.

The technology stack layers proprietary software onto best-in-class partner hardware. The Customer Experience Cloud (CXC) is a modular post-purchase e-commerce suite (Estimated Delivery Date, Pick-up & Drop-off Finder, Track & Communicate, Online Return Center, Instore Return Center) offered via REST-API, embeddable widget, or standalone landing page, claiming up to 80% customer service contact reduction. Warehousing automation is built on AutoStore systems deployed at 10+ sites, Boston Dynamics Stretch robots for truck unloading, and a vendor-independent robotics orchestration platform co-developed with Unchained Robotics using the LUNA operating system. Core ERP runs on SAP S/4HANA hosted on Microsoft Azure, consolidated from 70+ legacy systems to 40 and supporting global operational visibility.

Arvato generates revenue primarily through customized, quote-based multi-year enterprise contracts with major brands across fashion/beauty (Douglas, H&M Group, Tom Tailor), consumer electronics (HARMAN, Sennheiser, WHOOP), automotive (Elli), medical technology (Olympus), and telecom (Deutsche Telekom), with a recent strategic expansion into hyperscale data center logistics. The company was recognized as a Leader in Gartner's inaugural 2025 Magic Quadrant for Fourth-Party Logistics, positioning it alongside Kuehne+Nagel, DHL Supply Chain, and GEODIS. Recent strategic moves include the March 2026 acquisition of Canadian 3PL THINK Logistics, new facilities in Denton TX and Easton PA, and a UAE hyperscaler services launch — collectively signaling a coordinated push into North American and AI-infrastructure logistics verticals.

Name

Arvato Bertelsmann

Legal name

Arvato SE

Website

https://arvato.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1835

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Arvato SE is a German-based international 3PL/4PL logistics and supply chain management provider, wholly-owned by Bertelsmann, serving enterprise clients across 30+ countries with warehousing, fulfillment, transport management, and digital solutions built on AutoStore, Boston Dynamics, and proprietary CXC software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics & Supply Chain Management

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), General Warehousing and Storage (493110), Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services (541614)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation Management & Managed Freight (Dedicated Transport, Brokerage-Managed) (TLAIAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Non-Asset-Based 3PL Services (TLAIAAAN)

Keywords

• Third-party logistics
• Supply chain management
• E-commerce fulfillment
• Warehouse automation
• Transport management

Headquarters

HQ city

Gütersloh

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Third-Party Logistics Services: Core revenue from providing integrated logistics and supply chain management services including warehousing, fulfillment, transport management, and value-added services. Services are delivered across B2B and B2C channels for enterprise clients globally.
2. Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL): End-to-end supply chain orchestration, visibility, governance, and optimization across logistics networks. Positioned as a Leader in Gartner's inaugural 4PL Magic Quadrant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Arvato is an international third-party (3PL) and fourth-party (4PL) logistics provider delivering end-to-end supply chain management, warehousing, fulfillment, and transport services for enterprise clients across B2C and B2B channels. Its core service portfolio covers Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Fulfillment, Transport Management, and Digital Solutions, supported by proprietary Customer Experience Cloud (CXC) software and warehouse automation (AutoStore, robotics, Boston Dynamics Stretch). It also operates ATC, a dedicated data center logistics division serving hyperscale and AI infrastructure clients.

Product overview

Arvato offers a comprehensive logistics and supply chain management platform under its 3PL and 4PL service offerings. The core platform consists of four main service areas: Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Fulfillment, Transport Management, and Digital Solutions. The Digital Solutions division houses the Customer Experience Cloud (CXC), a modular e-commerce post-purchase suite comprising five sub-modules (CXC EDD, CXC PUDO, CXC T&C, CXC ORC, CXC IRC) that integrate via REST-API, web widgets, or standalone pages. Arvato complements its services with strategic robotics partnerships including AutoStore (automated storage), Boston Dynamics Stretch (robotic unloading), and Unchained Robotics (modular warehouse automation with LUNA OS). Infrastructure includes SAP on Azure for ERP operations. The company also operates ATC, its data center logistics division supporting hyperscalers and AI infrastructure companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Customer Experience Cloud (CXC): Collection of modern web modules that help brands enrich their e-commerce experience during checkout and after the sale, including estimated delivery dates, pickup/drop-off finders, track & communicate, and online/instore return centers.

Products and services

• Supply Chain Management Develops holistic, innovative supply chain solutions, optimizes logistics processes, and exploits untapped potential for enterprise clients across B2C and B2B channels.
• Logistics & Fulfillment Designs effective and scalable fulfillment solutions for B2C and B2B sales channels, organizing the entire process from order taking to delivery for enterprise clients.
• Transport Management Finds the right delivery solutions for goods and designs integrated transport networks from order to delivery for enterprise clients.
• Digital Solutions Uses industry expertise and state-of-the-art technologies (including Customer Experience Cloud) to deliver first-class shopping experiences for enterprise clients' customers.
• Customer Experience Cloud (CXC) Collection of modular web tools (Estimated Delivery Date, Pick-up & Drop-off Finder, Track & Communicate, Online Return Center, Instore Return Center) that enrich e-commerce checkout and post-purchase experiences. Processes millions of transactions per day with up to 80% customer service contact reduction. Integrates via REST-API, web widget, or standalone landing page.
• 4PL Services (Fourth-Party Logistics) End-to-end supply chain orchestration, visibility, governance, and optimization across logistics networks — distinguished from traditional 3PL by holistic accountability for the entire supply chain rather than discrete transportation or warehousing tasks.
• ATC Data Center Logistics Data center logistics division providing transportation, warehousing, and white-glove delivery for sensitive data center equipment, serving hyperscalers, cloud providers, and AI infrastructure companies across North America and the Middle East.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% capacity increase with AutoStore expansion at Hams Hall
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AutoStorecoreTechnology or IntegrationAutoStore provides automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) for Arvato warehouses globally. Arvato has deployed AutoStore at 10+ sites across Germany, Netherlands, UK, Austria, and USA. The partnership includes system expansion at Hams Hall (UK) increasing capacity by 30% with 165 R5 robots managing 87,600 bins.
• KardexcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKardex serves as system integrator for AutoStore implementations at Arvato sites. Partnered on the Hams Hall expansion project, supporting the 30% capacity increase.
• Unchained RoboticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership and investment in Unchained Robotics, a German robotics start-up founded in 2019. Jointly developing modular, vendor-independent robotics solutions with the LUNA operating system (MalocherBot). Enables fast deployment and scaling of warehouse robotics across Arvato's global network.
• Boston DynamicscoreTechnology or IntegrationBoston Dynamics' Stretch robot deployed at Arvato's Louisville facility for automated truck unloading. Handles loose-loaded shipments using lidar safety systems and vision technology. First step in international roll-out planned across US and Europe.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Azure powers Arvato's cloud-first IT infrastructure, including SAP S/4HANA environment. Migration completed in early 2023, enabling 10-minute environment setup, 48-hour migration windows, and global operational visibility. Azure ExpressRoute used for 4TB+ data transfers.
• THINK LogisticscoreOthersAcquired March 2026; Canadian 3PL provider based in Mississauga, Ontario, founded in 2012. Provides technology-focused e-commerce, retail, fashion, and high-tech logistics solutions. Entry point for Arvato into Canadian market with unified North American execution structure.
• ATC (Arvato Technology Company)coreOthersData center logistics division combining with Arvato for hyperscaler services expansion. Provides transportation, warehousing, and white-glove delivery for sensitive data center equipment. Launched at Dubai CommerCity free zone as strategic gateway to Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@arvatologistics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arvato
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeatarvato

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries28 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A13 records

Investments5 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Arvato Bertelsmann