Prioritize on‑time pickup/dropoff performance, average order cycle time, warehouse throughput (lines/hour), and carrier mix. Also review technology stack (WMS, EDI/API), scalability plans, and contingency for peak season. Ask for KPIs tied to your SLAs and sample operational reports for comparable clients.

A Cerkno location shortens road transit to northeastern Italy and Austria and provides competitive access to Port of Koper for sea lanes. Expect reduced drayage to Adriatic ports and reliable road lanes into Central Europe; evaluate carrier lanes, scheduled departure frequencies, and consolidation options to quantify time‑in‑transit impacts.

Compare fixed storage rates, pick/pack labor, inbound receiving fees, cross‑dock and handling charges, and outbound parcel/parcel contract discounts. Include ancillary services (kitting, returns handling), local taxes, and estimated drayage to ports. Model costs using your SKU velocity to reveal true per‑unit spend.

Yes—many regional 3PLs offer mixed‑mode warehousing with pallet racking, fast‑pick zones, and automated sortation or batching for parcels. Confirm their experience with B2B pallet scheduling, carrier integrations for parcel and freight, and reverse logistics processes for efficient returns and refurbishment.

Verify ambient and temperature‑controlled storage capability, calibrated monitoring systems, contingency power and backup refrigeration, and written SOPs for product integrity. Check certifications relevant to your goods (e.g., pharmaceutical GDP, food safety) and request historical temperature logs and audit records as proof of compliance.