Evaluate road access and seasonal reliability, proximity to carrier consolidation nodes, warehouse specifications (racking, dock doors, mezzanine), local labor availability, and the 3PL’s IT stack (WMS/API). Prioritize partners that publish SLA metrics and demonstrate experience with your channel mix and SKU velocity.

A local 3PL can enable freight consolidation, zone‑skipping, and regional inventory placement to shorten transit and lower carrier spend. Combine that with cross‑dock and pick‑and‑pack efficiencies, negotiated carrier contracts, and demand‑driven stocking to balance inventory carrying cost and delivery speed.

Require a modern WMS with real‑time inventory, barcode scanning, API/EDI integrations, configurable picking workflows, and reporting dashboards. Capabilities for batch processing, lot/serial tracking, and returns management help maintain order accuracy and minimize cycle times.

Negotiate SLAs for OTIF, order accuracy, dock‑to‑stock time, and inventory accuracy with defined remedies or credits. Include clear billing units, minimum volume terms, seasonal flexibility, liability limits, and termination notice to align incentives and manage cost exposure.