Prioritize proximity to major transport corridors (E6/E20), port access, lead times to primary markets, and the 3PL’s carrier network. Also evaluate facility capabilities—temperature control, automation, and returns handling—and the provider’s IT integrations (WMS/OMS API compatibility) to ensure accurate inventory visibility and order routing.

Warehouse rents in Halland often balance lower land costs with slightly higher transport spends for certain inland routes. Assess total landed cost by modeling storage, handling, pick density, and last‑mile transit times; sometimes marginally higher transport is offset by lower occupancy and faster fulfillment to west‑coast customers.

Capabilities to prioritize include fast pick‑to‑ship processes, distributed inventory for reduced transit times, reliable reverse logistics, and robust carrier integration for multi-carrier rate shopping. Real‑time tracking and same‑day/next‑day options from west‑coast hubs significantly improve customer satisfaction.

Key questions: What WMS/WCS do you run and how are APIs exposed? Can you support EDI and marketplace integrations? What KPIs and reporting are standard? Describe scalability plans, contingency for peak seasons, certifications (e.g., ISO, GDP where relevant), and processes for customs and cross‑border compliance.