Prioritize WMS integration and API capability, dock and staging capacity, multi-SKU pick/pack efficiency, returns processing, kitting/assembly, and scalable labor or automation. Verify cross-dock throughput and contingency plans for seasonal peaks to protect service levels and cost-to-serve.

Gila Bend’s proximity to regional freight corridors typically lowers transportation miles to southwestern customers and reduces parcel zone charges. Lower facility rents lower fixed warehousing cost per unit, improving landed-cost calculus when combined with optimized carrier lane selections and consolidation strategies.

Require KPIs for order accuracy, on-time shipments, inventory accuracy, dock-to-ship lead time, order cycle time, and perfect order rate. Specify SLA remedies for chargebacks, delayed shipments, and inventory discrepancies and include reporting cadence and audit rights.

Assess local labor pool and temp-staff providers, training programs, and turnover benchmarks. Confirm utility reliability, permitting and zoning for warehouse or light industrial use, and potential for automated solutions to reduce seasonal labor exposure and maintain consistent throughput.