Amazon Invests €10 Billion in European Warehouse Robotics
European Warehouse Investment
Amazon announced on June 4 that it will invest more than €10 billion to expand and modernize fulfillment centers across Europe. The program combines additional warehouse capacity with robotics designed to move inventory and handle repetitive tasks.
Amazon also plans to add 25,000 fulfillment center jobs in Europe over the coming years. The company said the investment will support employees while improving warehouse operations and delivery speed.
New Proteus Robot
The next generation of Amazon’s autonomous Proteus robot can operate beyond loading-dock areas and move items across fulfillment sites. Employees can direct it with conversational text prompts instead of technical commands.
Amazon said Proteus can determine the route, priority and timing for assigned work. It is currently being piloted in Amazon laboratories, with European deployment planned for the first half of 2027.
STARK Expansion
The investment also includes STARK, a robotic tote-handling system that picks full storage bins from conveyors and places them on carts. After an initial pilot in Barcelona, Amazon plans to expand STARK to 15 European sites by 2027.
Amazon will also widen the use of Vulcan, its warehouse robot with a sense of touch. These systems focus on internal handling after inventory has entered the fulfillment network.
Impact on FBA Sellers Shipping from China
More automation may increase the speed and consistency of inventory movement inside an Amazon FBA warehouse, but the announcement does not change seller inbound requirements. China-based sellers still need to follow the shipment plan, labeling, carton, pallet and delivery-appointment rules shown in Seller Central.
Sellers should not route cargo to a warehouse based only on news of an upgrade. Amazon assigns the destination when the inbound shipment is created. For European inventory, customs clearance, VAT arrangements and delivery to the assigned fulfillment center remain separate steps before Amazon can receive the stock.
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