How to Select a Distribution Center by Emily McHugh June 15, 2004 Selecting a distribution center (DC) or fulfillment center to ship your products is akin to selecting a day care center for your children.

You want to be comfortable knowing that you are dealing with reputable people with a solid track record. Handing over your products to “strangers” can be a scary thought. How the DC executes order fulfillment directly impacts your clients’ perception of you, so it is imperative to choose carefully.

Most entrepreneurs are understandably reluctant to cede responsibility for shipment of their products to unknown third parties. However, It is time to select a distribution center when you spend most of your time packing boxes and not doing much else (see last November’s article where we began this discussion). We will review how to actually select a DC and the steps involved in the process. Doing your due diligence is a vital step to evaluate the DC.

BIO: Emily McHugh is the CEO and Creative Director of Casauri, designers of stylish laptop cases and tech accessories, www.Casauri.com. Emily has an MBA from Columbia Business School.