Focus on order cycle times, inventory accuracy, slotting and picking methods, IT integration (WMS/APIs), and scalable throughput. Also evaluate carrier partnerships, last‑mile performance metrics, peak season capacity, and SLA penalties tied to OTIF and accuracy.

Location affects drayage to ports, highway access for regional distribution, and labor rates. Warehouses closer to major highways and Kaohsiung port lower inland transport and dwell costs, improving predictability for export schedules and domestic replenishment cycles.

Essential capabilities include scalable racking and staging, advanced WMS with batch/zone picking, temporary overflow capacity for peaks, robust returns processing, and flexible labor contracting to handle variable throughput without long‑term OPEX spikes.

Negotiate clear KPIs (OTIF, accuracy), variable-cost pricing for seasonality, inventory reconciliation cadence, SLA remedies, data access rights, and exit clauses for capacity or tech migration. Include responsibilities for carrier selection and freight claims handling.