Focus on multimodal connectivity (port and highway), measurable SLAs (dock-to-stock, OTIF), WMS/API compatibility for order routing, measurable throughput (OLPH), and value-added services like kitting, returns and customs brokerage. Request KPI history and tech integration demos before contracting.

Access to short-sea shipping and the nearby port reduces coast-to-coast transit compared with overland-only routes, and federal highways provide direct truck lanes to major Mexican metros and border points. That combination lowers lead times and allows dynamic carrier selection for cost and delivery-window optimization.

Prioritize articulated racking, segregated temperature zones, dedicated packing lines, true WMS with API connectivity, real-time inventory sync, and configurable labor pools. These features support fast pick-and-pack cycles, seasonal throughput spikes, and omnichannel order profiles.

Compare landed cost components: storage per pallet, handling per pick, cross-dock fees, inbound/outbound drayage, fuel surcharges, and customs brokerage. Also account for free-zone or tariff implications, dwell time charges, and seasonal minimums that affect per-order economics.

Request recent SLA reports, client references, sample KPIs (OTIF, dock-to-stock, OLPH), and perform a site visit or virtual audit. Run pilot shipments or short-term test programs to verify carrier lanes, transit times and systems integration before committing to long-term agreements.