Prioritize site proximity to main roads and ports, dock and yard capacity, cold-chain availability (if required), labor skills and seasonality, and the 3PL’s WMS/TMS capabilities. Evaluate SLA guarantees for pick/pack, lead times, returns processing, inventory accuracy and reporting to ensure alignment with channel requirements.

Delivered cost is driven by distance to consolidation points, carrier frequency, and road-network efficiency to Adelaide and regional centres. Reliable scheduled collections, LTL consolidation, and last-mile partners reduce per-shipment cost. Consider multimodal routing and cross-dock services to optimize transit times and freight spend for differing customer densities.

Require real-time WMS with API/EDI connectivity to your OMS, barcode scanning for cycle counts, automated ASN and invoice workflows, SLA-backed pick/pack times, and actionable KPI dashboards. Confirm support for order routing, split shipments, and returns workflows to maintain inventory accuracy across channels.

Seasonality can create peak storage and labor needs; select partners with scalable floor space, temp-controlled zones, and flexible labor pools. Use short-term storage contracts, surge capacity clauses, and cross-dock options to avoid long-term fixed cost increases while maintaining service levels during harvest or promotional peaks.