Prioritize facility attributes (clear height, racking density, dock count), IT capabilities (WMS, EDI/API integrations), SLA clarity (order lead times, accuracy, chargebacks), labor models for seasonality, and value‑added services (kitting, returns). Also validate carrier networks and transit times to key customer clusters.

Udon Thani generally offers lower land and labor costs versus central industrial belts, reducing fixed warehousing spend. Key influencers are inbound freight from suppliers, outbound last-mile rates to customer regions, storage density, and service-level premiums for express or temperature-controlled handling.

Primary considerations include highway connectivity (road quality and congestion windows), carrier coverage for LTL/FTL and express services, and modal options (air for urgent parcels). Seasonal traffic and customs procedures for cross-border shipments can add variability—build buffer times into SLAs.

Require robust returns processing, flexible pick-and-pack, batch and lot traceability, kitting/assembly, packaging customization, and visible WMS-driven inventory rules for channel allocation. Confirm staffing flexibility and documented KPIs for returns turn time and order accuracy.

Typical onboarding spans 6–12 weeks depending on complexity: facility tour and contract, WMS mapping and EDI/API integration, test orders, pilot inventory receipt, and staged go-live. Track milestones: SLA sign-off, integration testing, pick/pack accuracy targets, and first-month continuous improvement metrics.