Willmar’s position shortens lane miles to many Upper Midwest markets, which can reduce LTL and TL transit times and lower carrier spend. Brands should run zone and route analyses comparing transit-time improvements and landed-cost models before committing to facilities or long-term contracts.

Look for facilities with modern racking, cross-dock capability, temperature-controlled space if needed, and proven WMS/WCS integration. Confirm real-time inventory visibility, EDI/API connectivity, pick-and-pack accuracy metrics, and returns processing to meet omnichannel SLAs.

Compare transparent fee schedules—storage, receiving, pick-and-pack, kitting, and value-added services—plus minimums and surge rates. Model total landed cost on representative SKU mixes and seasonality to assess whether throughput pricing or dedicated space better controls spend.

Providers in the area commonly offer direct access to regional LTL and TL carriers and established parcel network connections for last-mile delivery. Confirm pickup schedules, consolidation windows, and the 3PL’s experience managing multi-carrier routing to optimize service vs cost.

Assess the 3PL’s contingency staffing plans, temp labor sources, and automation level. Review historical uptime, capacity-flex clauses, and escalation SLAs for order cutoffs, and ensure the provider can scale inbound receiving and outbound fulfillment during demand surges.