Prioritize carrier and highway access, inventory accuracy (cycle counts, WMS), SLAs for pick-and-pack and same-day/next-day options, returns and reverse-logistics capabilities, and the provider’s integration maturity with your OMS/ERP.

A base here reduces regional transit to prairie markets via Highway 16 and provides reasonable access to national lanes through intermodal and short-line rail. Expect faster regional deliveries and consolidated lanes for national carrier pickup, lowering per-unit shipping costs.

Primary cost drivers include space and slotting fees, labor and seasonal headcount, inbound transload charges, technology and integration fees, and transportation accessorials. Lower land costs often offset higher last-mile fees compared with large urban centers.

Look for a robust WMS with real-time inventory visibility, API integrations with marketplaces and carriers, barcode scanning and mobile workflows, pick optimization, and reporting dashboards for SLA and inventory KPIs.

Evaluate available expansion capacity, contingency plans for peak seasons, redundancy for critical functions, insurance and compliance credentials, and the 3PL’s track record in handling demand spikes, returns surges, and cold-chain continuity.