Prioritize facility layout (racking, mezzanine, cross-dock), temperature-controlled capacity, on-site loading bays, and last-mile carrier access. Verify WMS/WCS integration, inventory visibility, security, and handling for returns and value-added services. Conduct site visits and sample operational KPIs before contracting.

Land and rental rates in Pirkanmaa are typically lower than in the Helsinki metropolitan area, offering lower fixed warehousing costs. Labor availability is strong around Tampere with logistics-skilled workers. Expect trade-offs between slightly longer coastal transit and improved operating margins; model total delivered cost, not just rent.

Require order accuracy, OTIF (on-time in-full), inventory accuracy, pick-and-pack throughput, returns SLA, and clear chargeback clauses. Insist on EDI/API integration, daily inventory cadence, and contingency plans for peak seasons. Regular scorecards help align performance improvements.

Use Pirkanmaa as a regional consolidation hub with inventory pooling to reduce safety stock across markets. Combine multi-carrier outbound strategies, cross-dock nodes at coastal ports, and segmented inventory for fast-moving SKUs to optimize lead times and freight costs. Run scenario models to balance transit and inventory investment.