HarperCollins plans to build "a state-of-the-art supply chain logistics facility" in Brownsburg, Ind., an Indianapolis suburb. Scheduled to open in 2028, the 1.6-million-square-foot warehouse will use "the most advanced technology available to improve efficiency, enhance fulfillment accuracy, reduce waste, and increase visibility and control over the supply chain."
The company said it will draw on "valuable insights" from the Robroyston warehouse in Glasgow, Scotland, that it recently opened. The new Indiana facility will have the capacity to ship more than 300 million books annually, and will allow for continued growth and future acquisitions.
President and CEO Brian Murray stated, "HarperCollins has experienced significant transformation and growth over the last 15 years, and now is the time to expand our North American footprint. This state-of-the-art facility is an investment in our authors, our customers, and the future of our business, positioning us for growth."
Unlike the other big five U.S. publishers, who in recent years have invested heavily in their warehouses and expanded distribution services divisions, for 15 years HarperCollins has outsourced its distribution and logistics, consolidating the number of warehouses used from five to one. But in that same time, HarperCollins's revenue has nearly doubled, in part with the acquisitions of Thomas Nelson, Harlequin, and HMH Media.
The facility is expected to create more than 400 supply-chain logistics jobs and an additional 375 jobs during the construction phase.
Brownsburg Town Council president Travis Tschaenn said, "HarperCollins's investment in our community will bring new, exciting employment opportunities and helps establish Brownsburg as an ideal location for business growth at the international level."