Prioritize transit-time impact, carrier diversity (parcel, LTL, rail), dock door capacity, slotting and WMS compatibility, labor pool reliability, and local real estate cost per pallet. Assess inventory turnover projections and ask for historical KPIs (OTIF, order accuracy, dock-to-stock times) to model total landed cost and service trade-offs.

Proximity to interstate corridors and parcel hubs reduces transit miles and fuel costs, improves SLA windows, and enables same- or next-day promise in adjacent markets. A centrally located Raton facility can consolidate inbound LTL and rail, lowering cross-dock time and enabling more efficient route density for last-mile carriers.

Require a modern WMS with API connectivity, real-time inventory visibility, EDI/API order integration, barcode-directed workflows, and returns management. Confirm support for multi-channel order orchestration, batch pick/pack, and reporting that ties operational KPIs to your OMS and carrier systems.

Key factors include regional labor rates, local utility and tax structures, available free-trade or economic-zone incentives, and seasonal labor demand. Negotiate modular pricing for storage tiers, throughput-based handling fees, defined SLAs with service credits, and capacity add-ons to align costs with demand peaks.