Prioritize facility capabilities (automation, temperature control), proximity to highways and intermodal terminals, labor availability and shift flexibility, carrier density for regional lanes, and value-added services such as kitting and returns management. Also assess peak capacity planning and integration with your OMS/WMS for real-time inventory visibility.

Carrier density and multimodal links shorten transit windows and reduce fuel and detention exposure, lowering landed costs. Faster drayage to ports, rail options, and diversified trucking lanes enable cost-effective zone skipping, consolidated LTL moves, and improved on-time delivery, directly impacting customer experience and shipping spend.

• Order accuracy (%) and OTIF performance
• Average pick/pack cycle time and orders per hour
• Inventory accuracy and shrinkage rates
• Dock-to-stock turnaround and SLA remedies
• Transparent cost per order and chargeback terms

Yes. Shared warehousing, variable pricing (pay-per-order), and pooled inventory models lower fixed costs. Negotiate clear minimums, flexible volume tiers, transparent fee schedules, SLA penalties, and reasonable termination clauses. Ensure onboarding timelines and IT integration milestones are contractually defined to control ramp risk.