Evaluate proximity to major transport corridors and carrier hubs, typical transit times to your customer base, available scalable footprint, labor availability and shift flexibility, technology stack compatibility (WMS/API/EDI), and the 3PL’s value‑added capabilities such as kitting, returns, and customs handling.

Facilities and labor in the region are often more cost-competitive than major metros, which can lower per-unit storage and handling costs. Factor total landed cost, workforce skill levels, overtime/peak labor premiums, and any local incentives when comparing providers to ensure savings don’t compromise service or scalability.

Require a modern WMS with open APIs or EDI, real-time inventory sync with your OMS/ERP, exception reporting, carrier rate and tracking integrations, and customizable dashboards for SLA monitoring. Confirm data latency, outage procedures, and support for batch or event-driven integrations.

Map lanes from candidate facilities to your top customer ZIPs, run sample transit-time comparisons with primary carriers, review carrier frequency and service windows, and request historical on-time delivery metrics. Include LTL/TL and parcel options and assess last-mile coverage for your SKUs.

Prioritize flexible capacity and labor plans, scalable racking and cross-dock options, streamlined returns and inspection workflows, temporary overflow provisions, and transparent seasonal pricing. Strong forecasting support and rapid onboarding for surge SKUs are also important.