Evaluate highway connectivity and proximity to provincial distribution corridors, on‑site dock and staging capacity, availability of rail spurs or nearby intermodal yards, cold‑storage infrastructure if required, and carrier mix for last‑mile regional delivery. Also confirm facility tech (WMS/TMS) and SLA reporting capabilities.

Expect generally lower land lease and facility costs, and potential savings on property taxes and yard space. Labour availability can be regionally variable, so model total landed cost (rent, labour, transportation, inventory carrying) and plan for phased expansion to match seasonal demand.

Key capabilities include real‑time WMS integration, multi‑channel pick/pack workflows, returns processing and inspection, kitting/assembly, and validated cold‑chain handling if applicable. Confirm cycle times, cut‑offs for same‑day processing, and reverse logistics policies.

Assess seasonal road reliability, carrier density for chosen lanes, utility redundancy for critical cold storage, local labour skillsets, zoning and expansion constraints, and the 3PL’s contingency plans for weather or capacity spikes. Validate KPIs and audit rights in the contract.