AutoStore in Publishing Logistics: The Solution for You!

First published: September 23, 2025

A broad product range with an enormous number of titles—some ordered individually by end customers, others in a wide variety of combinations by specialty retailers—means that the requirements for picking and shipping in book publishers’ logistics operations are complex and diverse.

AutoStore: Perfect for Diverse Product Ranges

Warehouses operated with the AutoStore system are ideal for the specific needs of publishers—just as they are for all companies in retail and e-commerce that offer a wide variety of products and process orders in a wide range of quantities.

AutoStore is an automated warehouse system in which robots handle the storage and retrieval of items under computer control.

The products are stored in small boxes that are stacked in three dimensions (grid architecture) and are recognized by unique IDs, lifted upward, and moved by the robots traveling overhead. This makes it possible to stock an enormous variety of titles and product lines in a very small space using AutoStore.

The advantage of this system lies not only in its high degree of automation (which incurs minimal labor costs during operation) but also in the ability to precisely plan the system’s behavior—allowing Picking to be controlled without delays and ensuring a seamless handoff to the next step in the process.

We Invest in Your Success

With our AutoStore systems, we enable your publishing house to immediately reap the benefits of automation—without having to invest in the technology yourself. We’re happy to ensure that you no longer have to worry about logistical challenges, but can rest assured that the robots, working alongside Lila’s staff, will make sure your books reach your readers.

As the third-largest provider in German Publishing Logistics, we bring decades of experience and extensive practical expertise to the table—your books are in good hands and secure boxes with us.

Technology for the Present and the Future

In an AutoStore warehouse, the explosion in the number of titles becomes manageable: thousands of SKUs can be accommodated in a minimal footprint. Automation flexibly absorbs seasonal fluctuations in order volumes as well as seasonal order peaks and new releases.

At the same time, intelligent software optimizes storage location allocation in real time: fast-moving items are moved to the top, while slow-moving items are stored deeper in the warehouse. Predictive algorithms anticipate order probabilities—this ensures fast delivery is easily achievable even with complex and diverse product ranges.

We’ll take care of that for you!

The investment required for an AutoStore system is substantial and, above all, hardly economically feasible for small and medium-sized publishers. The benefits, however, are significant—automating Publishing Logistics not only saves on personnel and costs but also ensures reliably fast delivery.

That’s why it’s worthwhile for publishers to entrust us with managing their logistics needs. We take care of everything—from managing and consolidating all orders from a wide variety of sources, through intelligent shipping control, to financial processes and Returns management. And we ensure that your logistics remain reliable while becoming faster and more cost-effective.

At the same time, the fully automated system makes it easier and more cost-effective to keep backlist and long-tail titles in stock—with an AutoStore warehouse, the space requirements and associated costs are extremely low.

Strategic Technology Initiative

While many companies are putting investments on hold, we are strategically expanding our AutoStore setup. New facilities mean greater capacity, faster service, and maximum automation.

In particular, at our Logistics Service Center (LSC) in Blaufelden, we can offer the publishing industry the complete value chain, from order processing and invoicing to the shipping of media and books. Our diverse range of Publishing Logistics services for book publishers also includes end-to-end shipment tracking from order receipt to delivery, as well as key metrics dashboards and automatic notifications in the event of process deviations—all tailored to your needs and those of your publishing house.

More Than Just Warehousing: Non-Book, E-Books, and Print-on-Demand

What’s more, we’re also happy to handle all services beyond traditional book shipping. We ship non-book items just as readily as coffee-table books or paperbacks.

Do you offer parts of your product range as Print-on-Demand? That’s no problem either: We have suitable partners for printing and finishing on hand and immediately ship the finished, high-quality end product—without delay and without compromising on quality.

Or do your customers already read digitally? In that case, we’re also happy to handle the distribution and digital delivery of your e-books—upon request, we can also consolidate revenue from e-books with print sales, enabling you to maintain consistent reporting and simplifying business management.

Your Benefits

We invest, you benefit

At LILA LOGISTIK, we systematically invest in the automation of our warehouse capacities to provide the most comprehensive range of Warehousing services possible. Our investment is your advantage.

By outsourcing processes—from Warehousing to returns management—to our AutoStore warehouse, you take full advantage of the latest, state-of-the-art logistics technology—while simultaneously minimizing your business risk.

You pay only clearly predictable costs, don’t have to invest in technology or personnel, and still have all relevant pain points under control:

• You maintain control over your diverse product range: Even with thousands of different SKUs, effort and warehousing costs remain minimal.
• You meet your customers’ expectations: Deliveries within 24 hours are no problem.
• You can handle seasonal spikes: The high level of automation allows for spontaneous adjustments, and we’ll provide the necessary staff—you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Let’s talk!

Get in touch with us; we’d be happy to work with you to figure out how we can support you and your publishing house.