Assess regional transit times to your primary customer zones, carrier density (parcel and pallet), and proximity to trunk roads and rail. Compare lead-time improvements, consolidation options and the 3PL's carrier contracts. Also evaluate WMS/EDI/API integration capability and how inventory positioning in Somerset affects overall inventory carrying cost versus transportation savings.

Require order accuracy, on-time shipment percentage, inventory accuracy, average pick-to-ship times, claims rate, and throughput per labour hour. Specify SLA remedies for exceptions, onboarding timelines, and visibility requirements (real-time inventory and shipment status) to ensure measurable performance aligned with your service expectations.

Prioritize dock door count and configuration, yard depth and HGV access, racking density and clear height, ambient vs temperature-controlled space, sprinkler and power capacity, and secure staging areas for returns. Validate the 3PL's WMS capability for slotting and peak labour management to handle seasonal volume shifts.

Positioning inventory in Somerset can reduce distribution costs to southwest and central regions through shorter transit and consolidation opportunities, but may shift lead times to other zones. Trade-offs include potential increases in inventory carrying cost if you decentralize stock and the need to manage regional replenishment cycles; model total landed cost versus service improvements before committing.