March 9, 2026 — Arvato is taking the next step to bring automation and robotics into operational use faster and more effectively. Through a strategic partnership with technology company Unchained Robotics, Arvato is accelerating the development and implementation of modular, vendor-independent robotics solutions for logistics and fulfillment processes. As part of the collaboration, Arvato has acquired a minority stake in the Paderborn-based German company.
Robotics is deliberately viewed not as an isolated technology, but as an integral part of holistic automation and scaling concepts. Over the coming years, Arvato plans to implement a three-digit number of robots across various logistics and fulfillment environments. The partnership with Unchained Robotics serves as a targeted accelerator: new solutions are developed along specific use cases, tested under real operating conditions, and systematically prepared for large-scale operational rollout.
From the outset, the collaboration is designed for scalability — both technologically and geographically. In addition to European logistics sites, the close partnership also opens up opportunities for faster expansion into international markets, particularly the United States. There, high automation requirements meet dynamic logistics and e-commerce structures — an environment in which practical, flexibly deployable robotics solutions are in particularly high demand.
For clients, this close integration means one thing above all: automation at industrial scale without sacrificing flexibility. Scaling to a three-digit number of robots creates experience, standards, and implementation reliability from which clients benefit directly – through shorter implementation times, reduced risks, and faster realization of added value.
“Automation today must achieve one thing above all: deliver impact quickly,” said Frank Schirrmeister, CEO of Arvato. “Through our partnership with Unchained Robotics, we are accelerating the deployment of robotics in our operational logistics. We develop solutions from practice for practice — and use robotics specifically as an accelerator for scalable implementations.”
The partnership is also strategically significant for Unchained Robotics. “Arvato gives us access to highly complex, international logistics setups where we can further develop our solutions directly in real operations,” says Mladen Milicevic, Founder of Unchained Robotics. “Through close collaboration with operational teams, we increase efficiency across the entire warehouse and bring our robotics solutions to market readiness faster. At the same time, the partnership enables us to scale our modular solutions globally — from Europe to the United States.”
With this partnership, Arvato underscores its ambition to drive innovation where it has the greatest impact: in the operational execution of global supply chain strategies. Robotics thus becomes a targeted enabler for speed, scalability and sustainable operational excellence.
About Arvato
Arvato is a global 3PL service provider specializing in supply chain management and e-commerce. Global companies rely on Arvato to bring their supply chain strategies into operation through fast, precise and reliable logistics processes. Serving clients in Consumer Products, Tech, Healthcare, Automotive and Publishing, Arvato operates complex distribution and fulfillment networks tailored to specific industry requirements. Across more than 100 locations worldwide, over 20,000 employees combine modern technologies, data-driven processes and operational expertise to deliver resilient performance and adapt quickly to changing business needs.
Arvato is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. With 75,000 employees, Bertelsmann operates worldwide as a media, services and education company.
About Unchained Robotics
Unchained Robotics is a tech start-up founded in Paderborn in 2019 with the goal of simplifying and rethinking industrial automation. Through an independent platform, the company provides small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany and Europe with easy access to robotics and automation solutions.
Unchained Robotics believes that automation is no longer rocket science, but in practice often fails due to complexity and entry barriers. This is exactly where the company comes in: from selecting the right solution and developing the concept to commissioning and training, Unchained Robotics supports its customers throughout the entire automation process.