How we rank
What it takes to appear on a list, where the facts come from, and how the order is set.
Who can appear on a list
A company qualifies for a city list when it operates a warehouse, fulfillment center or cold storage facility in that metro area, and for a state list when it operates one anywhere in the state. The facility has to be listed on the company's own website, with a street address or a named town, as one of the company's own locations. Offices and sales teams do not count.
Each list holds up to ten companies. Where more than ten qualify, the editors keep ten with the rubric below as the guide; where fewer qualify, the list is shorter rather than padded. National networks and local operators are both eligible.
Where the facts come from
Every warehouse address, order minimum, pricing model, service, integration and certification on a listing is taken from the company's own website and recorded with the page it came from. Founding year and headquarters may come from a company registry or a reputable business directory when the company's site does not state them. Where a company does not publish a figure, the listing says so instead of estimating it.
How the order is set
The editors order each list with the rubric below as the guide. The rubric leans on network size and service range, then software and integrations, then local footprint and fit for smaller brands.
| Factor | What it measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Network size | The total number of warehouses the company operates across the US, from its own published count. | 25% |
| Service range | How many of the core services brands hire a 3PL for it offers: DTC fulfillment, B2B and retail distribution, retail EDI compliance, Amazon FBA prep, kitting, subscription boxes and returns. | 25% |
| Software and integrations | Published ecommerce and marketplace integrations, and a named warehouse management system. | 20% |
| Local footprint | How many warehouses the company runs in the city or state, their combined floor space, and whether it is headquartered there. | 20% |
| Fit for smaller brands | A published low or zero order minimum, and published or tiered pricing rather than quote-only. | 10% |
Keeping lists current
The date at the top of every list shows when it was last updated. If a detail on a listing is out of date, use thecontact form and it will be checked against the company's own pages.