Prioritize carrier access and dock throughput to minimize dwell and expedite last-mile; technology integrations (WMS/ERP/APIs) for order visibility; SLA definitions for lead times and claims; storage density, slotting flexibility, and seasonal labor scalability to control cost-per-order and maintain service during peaks.

Closer proximity to I-75 and regional hubs reduces linehaul miles and fuel spend, shortens transit windows for time-sensitive lanes, and increases routing options for parcel and LTL carriers—improving on-time delivery rates and lowering last-mile variability for both B2B and consumer shipments.

Look for high-bay racking, wide-aisle configurations, adequate dock doors and trailer marshalling, heavy-duty material handling equipment, flexible pick-and-pack zones, and climate control where required. Also confirm kitting, returns processing, and reverse-logistics workflows for omnichannel returns and refurbishment.

Evaluate labor turnover, average pick rate per hour, on-time performance, inventory accuracy, and capacity for surge staffing. Negotiate clear KPIs, chargeback terms for SLA misses, minimum throughput commitments, and clauses for seasonal scalability and equipment provision to mitigate operational risk.