Thalia Opens 100 Million Euro Automated Logistics Center in Marl

Book retailer Thalia has invested 100 million euros into a new logistics center in Marl, Germany, featuring more than 500 robots and aiming to create 1,000 jobs, www1.wdr.de reported. The facility handles 600,000 books daily for private online customers and retail stores across the country.

A 100 Million Euro Investment on a Former Mine Site

The new logistics hub spans the former grounds of the Auguste-Viktoria colliery in Marl. Of the 100 million euro total investment made by the Hagen-based book retailer, 17 million euros were provided by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The site’s core storage system, designated as Auto-Store, utilizes hundreds of rectangular robotic boxes moving across the upper floor to automate order fulfillment.

While more than 500 robots manage inventory containers filled with books and toys on the upper level, human employees sort customer orders into individual boxes on the ground floor. The facility processes e-commerce orders for individual consumers alongside bulk shipments for Thalia retail stores throughout Germany.

Creation of 1,000 Jobs in an Economically Stressed Region

Despite the integration of automation and artificial intelligence, the project is slated to generate 1,000 employment positions. Roles at the facility span warehouse logistics alongside specialized positions for IT experts and AI engineers. Sven Stuwe, a 51-year-old team leader who previously worked in logistics before his former employer relocated operations abroad, described the shift:

That is already a different league that we have here. Just this fully automated setup. We didn’t have that before. That is very exciting.

Mayor Thomas Terhorst welcomed the corporate investment, stating that the Ruhr area city needs every available job and viewing the arrival of the logistics center as a boost for local residential appeal.

Future Outlook for the Book Retail Market

Ingo Kretzschmar, chairman of Thalia Bücher GmbH, defended the substantial capital outlay despite ongoing challenges in the traditional book retail sector.

We are showing that we believe in the future of the book trade with great optimism. And Marl will play a major role in that.

North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Mona Neubaur, attended the official opening ceremony alongside local officials to mark the transition of the site into an advanced logistics hub.