Key selection criteria to evaluate:

• Inventory accuracy and real‑time WMS integration
• Carrier connectivity and local last‑mile reach
• Flexible SLA, cross‑dock and seasonal capacity
• Transparent pricing (storage, picks, dimensional freight)

Location drives drayage and multimodal handling costs: facilities near port feeders and main highways reduce sea legs and handling events, shortening lead times to Cebu and Mindanao. Proximity to roll‑on/roll‑off terminals and consolidation hubs improves LTL economics and delivery predictability to larger metros.

Negotiate SLAs for order accuracy and on‑time shipments, inventory reconciliation frequency, dwell‑time limits, and billing units. Require monthly scorecards, chargeback definitions for errors, documented onboarding timelines, and a clear escalation path for capacity or service disruptions.

Typical specialized capabilities include:

• Temperature‑controlled rooms and monitoring for perishable goods
• Bonded storage for import/export consolidation and duty deferral
• Cross‑dock and break‑bulk processing for fast throughput