Require measurable KPIs: order accuracy percentage, on-time dispatch rate, inventory accuracy, dock-to-stock time, and average lead time for replenishment. Include reporting cadence, chargeback tolerance, cut-off times for same-day processing, and defined remedies for SLA breaches to align operational performance with your service commitments.

Transit times from the Sarnen area are shaped by road corridor access and proximity to regional hubs. Plan for multimodal routing where road plus rail or consolidated cross-dock flows reduce cost. Account for customs processes on cross-border lanes and implement multi-carrier strategies to optimize cost versus speed for different product segments.

Prioritize scalable racked capacity, secure temperature-controlled zones, efficient cross-dock space, and modular pick-and-pack lines. Confirm warehouse management system capabilities, API/EDI integrations, real-time inventory visibility, and access to flexible labor pools and temporary staging areas to absorb seasonal volume spikes.

Compare pricing by unit (per-pallet/month), per-order fees, pick/pack tiers, and inbound handling. Model total landed cost including transport to customer zones. Assess local wage rates and temporary labor availability, contract flexibility for space ramp-up, and minimum-volume clauses to ensure scalability without disproportionate fixed costs.