3PL Companies Accelerate Warehouse Construction: What Does It Mean for Automation?

[Erkan Teskancan]

## 3PL Companies Accelerate Warehouse Construction: What Does It Mean for Automation?

Global supply chains are under high stress and becoming increasingly complex due to rising political uncertainties and the impact of customs tariffs. This situation has led supply chain managers to postpone investment decisions, change shipment routes, and re-evaluate their sourcing strategies.

### Increased Supply Chain Stress and 3PL Companies

Ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade fragmentation in the 2025-2026 period are increasing costs, extending lead times, and raising operational complexity. These developments are increasing the number of companies opting to solve their logistics needs through outsourcing.

Major 3PL providers such as DHL, Kuehne + Nagel, CEVA Logistics, and A.P. Moller Maersk nearly doubled their revenues from 2020 to 2022. This complexity in the supply chain makes it difficult for companies to manage in-house logistics, thereby increasing 3PL investment.

### Growth of 3PLs in Warehouse Construction

While the overall warehouse construction index remained generally stable from 2022 to 2030, 3PL warehouse investments showed a rapid increase from 2024 to 2026. For example, CEVA Logistics opened a new warehouse in Singapore, bringing its total area to 370,000 m² (approximately 4 million square feet), while Kuehne+Nagel established a 10,000 m² healthcare distribution center in Germany.

### 3PL Automation Investments

3PL firms require flexible automation systems due to multi-client facilities, variable product diversity, and short-term contracts. DHL Supply Chain plans to deploy 2,000 autonomous mobile robots globally with Locus Robotics, while DSV aims to expand AutoStore systems for 20 warehouses.

### Technical Specifications

• 3PL warehouse investment index rose to 103 in 2024 and 112 in 2026
• CEVA Logistics warehouse area approximately 4 million square feet (370,000 m²)
• Kuehne+Nagel healthcare distribution center 108,000 square feet (10,000 m²)
• DHL's global robot count to reach 2,000 autonomous mobile robots
• DSV plans AutoStore system for 20 warehouses

### System Integrators and 3PL Collaboration

System integrators are no longer just designing automation but are providing turnkey warehouse solutions that include software, equipment, maintenance, and on-site operational support. 3PLs, in turn, are increasing their automation investments to improve their performance. This fosters the development of collaboration models between the two areas and the emergence of more integrated service approaches.

### Conclusion

The increasing complexity in the supply chain makes logistics a critical strategic competency. This accelerates the growth of 3PL companies, triggers new warehouse investments, and reshapes the role of automation in the supply chain. Even small changes can have a significant impact on logistics strategies and investment priorities, making it crucial to closely monitor developments in the sector.