Prioritize proven WMS integration, order accuracy, dock and picking throughput, and temperature‑controlled capacity if needed. Assess SLA guarantees, labor stability, peak season scalability, returns processing, and carrier connectivity to ensure the 3PL supports your delivery windows and cost‑to‑serve targets.

Proximity to primary highways reduces regional linehaul and LTL costs and shortens delivery windows to nearby urban centers. Consolidation opportunities and frequent regional carrier runs from Stettler lower per‑order freight spend; evaluate available carrier contracts and transit maps to model lane economics for your customer footprint.

Look for ample dock doors, staging and marshalling areas, racking for mixed storage, cross‑dock procedures, dedicated appointment scheduling, and equipment for pallet handling. Integration with carrier EDI and clear inbound/outbound KPIs are essential to avoid detention and speed throughput for bulk B2B flows.

Compare base storage rates, receiving fees, pick/pack and cartonization charges, outbound freight terms, minimums and peak surcharges. Model scenarios for seasonal peaks and SKU proliferation to reveal true cost‑to‑serve; include SLA penalties, onboarding fees, and estimated inbound freight to compare vendor economics accurately.