Prioritize measurable capabilities: integration-ready WMS/APIs, order accuracy and on-time metrics, cost-per-order transparency, scalable space for seasonal peaks, and proven carrier relationships for your primary lanes. Verify experience with returns, kitting, and value-added services relevant to your SKUs.

The region benefits from direct highway connectivity and nearby air cargo options, which reduce door-to-door times to Pacific Northwest hubs and southern Alberta. Expect competitive regional trucking transit times; confirm specific lane performance with prospective 3PLs and request lane-specific transit maps and carrier partners.

Lower land and facility rents, reduced local labor rates, and less terminal congestion typically lower fixed and variable warehousing costs. However, evaluate total landed cost including longer long-haul lane charges, cross-dock needs, and any seasonal surge premiums to ensure true cost advantage.

Require validated cold-storage capacity with temperature monitoring, segregated handling zones, lot and batch traceability, WMS support for temperature rules, and processes for pick/pack, kitting, and return-to-stock. Confirm contingency plans for outages and documented QA/QC procedures.

Compare clear SLAs for order accuracy, on-time shipment, inventory accuracy, and claims resolution time. Request real-world KPI reporting samples, escalation paths, onboarding timelines, and a tech integration plan. Include penalties or remedies for missed SLAs and regular business reviews in contracts.